Your Guide To Black Friday Shopping

I've went Black Friday Shopping for the past 2 years and I'm so excited that Black Friday is already here again!  Over the past couple years I've came up with a few tips for all your first-timers to keep your BF Shopping experience fun and productive!

YOUR GUIDE TO BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING 

1.  Look at all the ads online before they are published I like to use this site http://blackfriday.com/flyers.  This will give you a head start on which stores are having the BEST Sales.  Once the ads are available on Thanksgiving Day make sure to get to the store early because they go FAST!  It’s easier to have the ad with you when you’re in the store so you can remember what you need want. 
2. If there’s a particular item that you’re wanting, do some research online first to determine if the Black Friday deal is indeed is a Steal of a Deal.  Sometimes the retailers try to trick you into thinking you’re getting a good deal and come to realize it’s only a few dollars less than it normally is.
3. Know which stores you want to go to ahead of time and determine your best route.  Some stores are opening as early as 9PM this year which means you need to get there EARLY!
4. Make a list (and check it twice) of items that you want to buy – these will keep you from impulsively picking up items that you don’t really need!  Are you going to be buying gifts,  things for yourself, both??
5. If you’re not shopping for Electronics stay FAR away from that area.  You will get caught in an absolute CLUSTER FLUCK (yes, fluck, it's not a typo) that is completely unnecessary and will keep you from getting to the items you need.
6. Some stores place TV’s and other electronics throughout the store, so keep an eye on them there as well.
7. Depending on how many people you have that are shopping together, you might want to stay together.  One person needs to be a cart pusher and the other person needs to push people out of the way so you can get your cart through.  If you have a larger group send people to different sections of the store and grab everything you need.  Set a meeting spot and meet in a timely manner.
8. Don’t rely on your cell phone to get back in touch with your shopping buddies.  Usually everyone in the store is trying to use their phones, so it’s hard to get through.
9. If you plan on making several large purchases you might want to let your credit card company know.  Last year my father-in-law spent about $600 in Target and his card got denied because of some sort of limit and they had to get ahold of someone at the banking call center at 1 am to confirm it was OKAY.
10. Get in and out as fast as possible!  If you’re shopping at Walmart where they let people in early scout out the area and determine the quickest way to get to the items you’re wanting.  Gather and get to the checkout ASAP!  The checkout lines get extremely long and that’s usually what takes the most time
11. Last, but not least get your BOXING GLOVES ON!  People can get pretty Crazy!  They might set an infant carrier in the middle of the aisle so you can’t get through, but don’t let that slow you down.  KICK that baby outta the way and get moving! 

Are you going Black Friday Shopping?  What items are you going for?