black friday sales Archives

Skip the Chaos, Stack the Rewards

I’ve always loved the thrill of Black Friday, but let’s be honest, the long lines and late-night crowds can take the fun out of it. That’s why I’ve started prepping early using the Shopkick app, and it’s been a total game-changer.

Instead of waiting for the big day to save, I spend weeks prior quietly racking up kicks (Shopkick’s reward points) from my everyday shopping. By the time Black Friday rolls around, I already have a stash of free gift cards to spend—no stress required.

With Shopkick, every errand becomes a mini win. Whether I’m grabbing groceries, shopping online, or just walking into my favorite stores, there’s always a way to earn. No coupon clipping. No waiting for sales. Just rewards are built into what I’m already doing.

Weekly Habits to Maximize Kicks

Earning kicks isn’t about overhauling your routine; it’s about small, consistent habits that blend right into your week. Here’s my go-to rhythm:

1. Check the “Nearby” and “Online” tabs before you shop
It’s my first step every week. I open Shopkick to see where I can earn walk-in, scan, or receipt kicks nearby — and which online stores are featured.

2. Open the app as you enter the store
This ensures you never miss those easy walk-in kicks.

3. Scan a few products for fun
Treat it like a scavenger hunt! Two or three scans per trip add up quickly.

4. Never waste a receipt
Snap a photo in-app for paper receipts, and link eligible retailer accounts to earn on eReceipts automatically.

5. Make one online purchase a week
Start your order through Shopkick, and your kicks will track automatically.

Pro tip: 4 store trips, 4 receipt submissions, and 4 online purchases throughout one month can easily stack up to a $10–$25 gift card before Black Friday!

How To Maximize Online Purchases

Shopping online with Shopkick is the easiest way to boost your rewards. Whenever I place an order – whether it’s pantry staples or gifts – I start from the Online tab in the app.

Just tap your favorite retailer, shop as usual, and let Shopkick do the rest. No promo codes, no extra steps. You’ll see your kicks roll in once the purchase is confirmed.

I also watch for bonus kick offers – they often appear, especially around the holidays. It’s such an easy way to turn routine shopping into a steady rewards stream.

Pro Tips from Experienced Shoppers

The Shopkick community always has creative ways to earn faster. Here are a few fan-favorite hacks:

Open the app in the parking lot so walk-in kicks trigger right away
Save featured products you want to scan later, it keeps your shopping organized
Theme your trips (snacks one week, cleaning supplies the next) to stay motivated
Get your kids involved! They’ll love helping you find scan items in-store
Watch for bonus offers on your favorite brands, they’re like surprise rewards

These tiny tweaks make a big difference, and keep earning fun!

Shopkick: Your Secret Weapon for Black Friday Prep

Using Shopkick has completely transformed how I approach holiday shopping. By turning everyday errands into kick-earning moments, I can enjoy stress-free savings long before the crowds hit.

This year, start small, check the app before you shop, link your accounts, and make one online purchase a week. By the time Black Friday arrives, you’ll already have gift cards ready to spend on the best deals of the season.

So go ahead, make this your most rewarding shopping season yet. Open the app, set your goal, and start earning today.

For years, Thanksgiving has nabbed my number one spot for Favorite Holiday. From baking pies with my best friend the night before to gathering together with my family for dinner on Thanksgiving, I love everything about it! With that said, there’s always one moment I enjoy most: Black Friday prep during Thanksgiving morning. This is like my Super Bowl.

Just like a runner training for a race, Black Friday is all about the prep! In order for you to not only survive but thrive during the biggest shopping weekend of the year, I thought I would share my five best tips with you. Consider this a peek inside my own personal Black Friday Shopkick game plan!

1. Gather:

Before you set out on your Black Friday race, put together a list of all of your gift ideas for your friends and family. Throughout the year, I tend to keep a running list of ideas in my phone. Just before Black Friday, I’ll explore my ideas, pull out the ones I think will work best, and create a holiday gift guide in my phone to refer back to as I jump from store-to-store. I find this list is a great way to feel organized and focused rather than waiting for inspiration to strike.

2. Plan:

Every year on Thanksgiving morning, I turn on the annual parades and peruse all of the Black Friday ads. I cannot be the only one who gets a serious adrenaline rush when I spot items on my list that are going to be on sale! Once I’ve viewed all of the ads and pulled my favorites, I create a route. This piece is key. Knowing which stores I will visit (and which ones will be offering big kicks when I use Shopkick!) helps me plan my route ahead of time rather than making rash decisions while I’m driving in the dark. I tend to visit my furthest point first and then shop my way closer to home. Pro Tip: Review how to earn kicks on Shopkick if you’re feeling a little rusty, visit the Explore page for tons of inspiration, and make sure you’re signed up for emails from Shopkick to be among the first to know when new deals drop!

3. Fuel:

Your list is prepped and ready, but are you? If you’re planning to be the first to nab a great deal, this is the time to bring out the camping year. Find your beach chair, grab a sleeping bag, and don’t forget a lantern, charger, and snacks! If you’re going to be waiting outside for your number one store to open, make sure you have all of the fuel you will need. This is the time to let your inner Boy or Girl Scout shine. Those scouting badges are about to be worth their weight in gold.

4. Pace:

Just like a race, Black Friday is a marathon not a sprint. My family and I tend to enjoy an earlier dinner together, which means I can visit my first store (or stores!) on Thanksgiving night (I can’t say I’ve ever camped before a store opening, but I definitely do know how to prep for one – see above!). I love crossing a few gifts off of my list just before Black Friday’s official start because it means I can stop for breakfast in the morning before the rest of my shopping commences. Also, I never panic if I can’t find an item or a size is sold out. Cyber Monday is (literally!) on the horizon, and I know I won’t miss out on the deal.

5. Medal:

Once your car is filled with merriment and you have earned hundreds of kicks while using Shopkick in stores (and online!), it’s safe to say you will have earned your Black Friday medal. Seriously, you’re about to be on your way to having Expert Shopper Status, and that deserves a reward. Cash in your kicks for a gift card to your favorite store, and make sure to treat yourself. You did it!

Let’s crush Black Friday, Shopkickers! It’s time to get on the race course.

Tag: black friday sales

Pre-Game Black Friday: Build Your Rewards Stack