Black Friday

**This is going to be a sticky post today, scroll down for the latest deals.

Are you braving the crowds and heading out on Black Friday? I've been out a few times on Black Friday and it is usually just plain madness. There are some tips, though, that can help you find your way through the maze of aisles and fellow shoppers!

Prepare

Do not go out without a plan of attack. I repeat, do not go out without a plan. Why? My first Black Friday, I had no clue what to expect and decided to wake up early but I had no plan at all. I thought I could just browse. WRONG. The people who come out on Black Friday are shopping ninjas. If you don't come prepared, you will end up walking around in circles in a daze like I did my first Black Friday. So what can you do to prepare? Scour the ads before you head out. Some websites offer a preview of the Black Friday ads like Slick Deals, BlackFriday.info, and A Full Cup.  I've also dedicated a section of my site to the best Black Friday/Weekend Deals I have found. Make a list of items you want to buy. Research prices online and compare to the Black Friday prices. If you have an iPhone, you will want to check out my recommended iPhone apps for Black Friday. Prioritize those items as you will probably only be able to hit a few stores for the door buster deals. Decide how much your time is worth waiting in lines and fighting the crowds for these deals. You may just want to sit on the couch and enjoy Amazon's Black Friday Deals! Once you've decided what items are top on your list, map out your locations. You will need to factor in time to drive, find a parking space, and additional crowds and traffic.

The Morning of Black Friday

So, now you've got your shopping all mapped out. It's the morning (ugh) of Black Friday. Hopefully, you didn't drink too much wine on Turkey Day. Are you ready? You will want to dress comfortably with comfortable shoes. Layers are always nice. Eat a breakfast, preferably something with protein to keep you satisfied. Grab a couple of snacks to fit in your purse and a bottle of water to keep hydrated. Don't drink too much as you won't have time for a rest break and you will be wishing you purchased the Go Girl for Black Friday Shopping. (My blogging friends will probably see the humor in that. Others, maybe not so much.) I also highly suggest leaving your kids at home. Black Friday is no place for children. Do bring a shopping buddy. Someone who can keep you on track,  rescue you from the middle of a Zhu Zhu pet rush, or hold your place in line. Other tips:

• Carry your ads in case of a dispute. Plus, some stores will price match identical items another store is offering at a considerable discount. Policies vary by retailer so you will want to check with your store.
• Stick to your budget. This may be a good day to shop with cash or a prepaid card so you don't go over your limit.
• Leave the huge purse at home. Black Friday is a day for your smaller purse to shine. Carry only necessities.
• Once you've completed your must do shopping, browse smaller stores in the mall. These stores may be offering unadvertised deals.
• Many restaurants are offering freebies for Black Friday Shopper. Recharge, relax, and save with these offers.

Stay Home

Don't want to head on Black Friday? That's okay, too. Really. Cyber Monday will be here before you know it and you can shop from the comfort of your own home. Many retailers are going to be offering hot online deals all week long. In fact, Amazon has already begun their Black Friday Deals early. When you shop online, be sure to use a cash back program like Ebates, Shop at Home, Cashbaq, or Mr. Rebates to earn a little cash back in your pocket. You can also "google" Store Name Coupon Code to find the latest and greatest coupon codes available for that particular store. Be sure to use Swagbucks for your searches to earn points to turn into rewards.

Expert Black Friday Shoppers, what are your best tips?

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