4 of the Most Underrated Stores to Check Out This Black Friday

When you think of Black Friday, you probably think of consumers at big box stores lining up with their credit cards to be the first to run in and snag one of a limited number of big TVs or fancy gaming systems. And you can certainly find that, with most of the stores you'd expect offering deals on fancy electronics that are pretty checking account–friendly.

But these aren't the only places worth shopping at on Black Friday. In fact, some stores you might not expect can also have some pretty great offers. Here are a few underrated stops you might want to add to your to-do list on Black Friday.

1. CVS

CVS is more than just a place to pick up your prescriptions. The drug store has an entire Black Friday ad all of its own. And it offers a lot of products at great prices that might make wonderful gifts or help you make your home more festive. Some deals you could pick up include:

• 40% off children's toys and books, including an Elsa doll, a 20-piece truck set with a playmat, and a classic Peanuts book
• A $6 ExtraBucks reward if you buy two Covergirl cosmetics products
• Starbucks and Maxwell House K-Cups for $6.99

There are also obviously many bargains on things you'd expect to find at a drugstore, like arthritis cream, vitamins, and laundry detergent. But you can stop there to pick up these essentials and get the fun stuff as an added bonus.

2. Walgreens

Not to be outdone, Walgreens also has some great Black Friday deals to check out, including:

• $9.99 Totes Footwear
• 50% off Russell Stover or Whitman's boxed chocolates
• 25% off designer fragrance sets

And again, some typical drugstore stuff is on sale as well, including a buy-one-get-one-50%-off deal for all Walgreens-brand health products.

3. AutoZone

AutoZone may not be a place you think of when it comes to Black Friday deals (unless you're a much bigger car enthusiast than I am). But the store does offer some great bargains that can help you get your car in great shape for the winter. Top bargains include:

• Two for $10 bottles of windshield washer fluid
• A $6 brake bundle, including brake cleaner, lubricant, and brake fluid
• $15 in AutoZone bonus rewards if you buy two Bosch Envision Wiper Blades

4. Michaels

Michaels not only offers great bargains on craft products, but also special prices on everything you'll need to turn your home into the most decorated one on the block (even if you live next to the Griswolds). Special Black Friday deals include:

• $230 off two different 7-foot pre-lit Christmas trees
• 70% off all Christmas ribbons, mesh, and bows
• 60% off Christmas wreath supplies and garland

Remember, while these stores are offering some good bargains, you do want to compare prices on everything you buy to make sure it's really a sale. A quick online search can usually tell you what the regular price is, so you can assess how much you're actually saving.

And even if a deal is great, if you can't afford it, pass it up. The debt and the financial stress that comes with overbuying is the surest way to end up with regrets instead of fond holiday memories.