How to prepare for Black Friday shopping

Minimize the hassle and confusion of shopping on Black Friday. Where do you go? How early should you get there? What will be available to purchase? Let's make it easy!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• The internet
• Sales paper

1. 
    
   Make your list

   First make a Black Friday shopping list. On it, list only the items that you plan to buy on that day. It will be easier than just running from store to store and rummaging through shelves of items that you really aren't interested in purchasing waiting for that perfect gift to jump out at you. Which can be a waste of time.

2. Start your list off with big items first such as televisions, computers, etc. These are the hot items that you want to make sure you get on that day since they will be priced way below regular price. After listing those items add your smaller items or just look for them once you are at the store since you will have your major items already.

3. 
    
   Do a Black Friday search

   Next hit the internet. You can do a search on Black Friday sales before hand to make shopping easier. Many stores post their Black Friday sale items online. Try www.blackfriday.info/sales/ for a huge list of stores and their Black Friday ads.

4. 
    
   Find the best bargains

   Compare 2-3 different stores for the items you want to purchase to make sure you get the best deal for the money.

5. 
    
   Avoid waiting in line

   Avoid standing in line at 4 in the morning only to find out your favorite store doesn't open until 7 am. Not all stores will be opening a the same time so make sure you check for their Black Friday store hours before hand. Standing out in the cold for 4 hrs can also be unnecessary. I know, you want to be the first in the store to get all the best stuff. This is not always true. While you may think that the items you see on the shelf are all that your store has to offer, they will bring more items out to stock the shelves as needed. Sometimes going at 7 am can get you the same great items as if you came at 6 am.

Tips & Warnings

• Shop with a buddy to minimize the time you spend looking for items
• Compare shopping lists for alike items and split up at the store to grab them.
• Carry your cell phone to call each other in the store instead of running around looking for your shopping buddy and to alert the other on great deals
• Avoid aggressive crowds, getting gifts is not worth you getting injured.