Things You'll Need:
- Pen
- Paper
- Computer
- Printer
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Step 1
Stalk deals early. Toward the middle of November, you can get sneak previews of the sales that various stores will be offering. Websites like "BFAds" and "Black Friday" are always on the leading edge with the information before anyone else. Once they have ads listed, print them out and start circling the products you want to buy.
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Step 2
Write a list of the stores that each of your desired items are featured in. List the stores first and next to the store name, list the opening hour for Black Friday. Write down the names of the products you circled under the store name. To the right or left of the product, write the maximum amount of that item the store will allow you to purchase then a slash and the amount you need. If your needed amount exceeds the store’s allowable limit, you may need to look for something else. On the opposite side of the item, write the price of the item and whom you are buying it for.
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Step 3
Make sure you have everyone on the list that you normally buy presents for. If there are recipients missing, go through the papers again with these people in mind and see if you can find them something.
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Step 4
Add up all the prices (be sure to multiply the price of each item by the number you plan to purchase). Make sure this does not exceed your budget. Black Friday shopping can lead to impulse buys, so write down any room you have in the budget for last minute additions.
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Step 5
Try to find a shopping mall or plaza that houses all the stores you need to visit. The less traveling you have to do at 4 AM, the better. If you can’t find one central location for all your spots, use "Mapquest" or "Google Earth" to find areas that have these stores close to each other.
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Step 6
Decide which store to visit first. Great deals on Black Friday can be hard to snag because there are a lot of shoppers taking advantage of them. To ensure you get the gifts you need, decide which items are high priority (because of their deep discount or limited quantity) and make sure to visit those stores first. Write down which store you will be visiting first, and make sure to get to each store as early as possible. Arriving one half of an hour before the store opens is a smart idea.
