by Michael Degroat

Created on: November 20, 2009   Last Updated: November 27, 2009

There is no better time to take advantage of great deals on your favorite merchandise than the day after Thanksgiving, or Black Friday as it is known to most. Even if you've never participated in the annual event, you know exactly what it entails. With Christmas right around the corner, thousands upon thousands rush to their local retail and department stores to fight the cold and the crowd with nothing but a little bit of cash and a lot of hope that the item they hope to purchase isn't sold out by the time they gain entrance to the store.

You know you want to get that great gift for that special someone and you want an awesome deal and maybe save a little bit of extra cash, but rushing into a store without a plan on Black Friday is a dangerous mistake that could land you with nothing but disappointment when the day is over. I've got a few tips for you, and I think that they are pretty reliable. I'm an associate with a large retail chain, and I can help you save time by showing you the shortcuts to Black Friday shopping.

Tip 1- Budget

As with every other aspect of your life, you should set aside a certain amount of money that you plan on spending that is separate from what you'll use to purchase things necessary to live. You don't need to overdo it, but you do need to remember that Black Friday is usually a day where high-dollar products are promoted, so you'll need more than a twenty in your wallet when you leave your home.

Tip 2 - Research

The next step to organizing your Black Friday experience is to research the different stores in your area that are participating in the event and take note of what products they will be featuring this year. Not every item in every store is marked down, so it's important to know what products you're interested in, and if any store in your area (or one that you're willing to drive to) will carry that product, or one similar. You can find advertisements in your local newspaper, in your mailbox, online, or in the store itself.

Tip 3-List

You make a list on any ordinary day when it's time to go shopping for groceries, don't you? You should! After you get an idea of the different stores around you and the items that they will be featuring in their doorbuster sales, make a list of what you hope to purchase, and make your most important item first. A list is a great tool to keep you on track, and can act as a quick reference to what you're after should you get lost in the excitement of discount shopping. Note that you should keep

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