by Eric Puravs

Created on: November 09, 2010

Here are some ideas to consider before Black Friday, so you will be ready to go when the holiday rush begins.

1) Establish a budget. The National Retail Federation's 2010 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey predicts consumers will spend about $518 dollars on gifts this year, up 2.1 percent from last year. It would be great if you had saved $50 per month to fund this budget. But if you haven't, do establish a budget now.

2) Find out what your friends and family want as early as possible. Post family lists on Facebook, or at least tell everyone what is on the lists.

3) Use this information to do research on the choices, especially on electronics devices. Check Consumer Reports to see which brands are most reliable, and get an idea of prices from the internet. Be on the look out for sales even earlier than Black Friday. Best Buy, Kmart, Wal-Mart, Target and Sears have announced early sales. Kmart, Sears, and Burlington Coat Factory are among stores that have a layaway program.

4) Check the Thanksgiving ads to plan your strategy. See if there are specials on the most expensive items on your list. If there are some deals on TVs for example, check out the specific models offered on the internet. Schedule your shopping times, decide if you want if you want to go to the store that opens first, or wait in line at one where there are some special deals available to the first 100 shoppers. This may cause some conflicts as you have to choose to go here or there. Co-ordinate with other family members to try to get these bargains. Also know which sales end at 11 or noon, and what bargains will be available Thursday night or Saturday.

5) Be prepared to do some shopping on the internet. Things like books, CDs and DVDs are ideal to buy online. Also, some stores will let you buy online and pick up your items at the store.

6) Use credit cards that give you cash back and shop online at places that give you cash back. Some people prefer to use cash, so they don't go over their budget. You will need to use credit cards if you shop online. But be sure you can pay off the credit card.

7) Dress comfortably, and keep cash close to you, in pockets if possible. Shop with a friend, but without children. Arrange to have Grandma watch the kids, while you do some shopping for her.

8) Bring your ads and be prepared to bargain. Best Buy, Walmart, and Sears have price matching programs. But they have somewhat different rules. Sears will match an internet price plus shipping, but not Black Friday deals. Walmart and Best Buy say they do not match internet pricing, but do not exclude Black Friday deals.  

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