There are so many great deals on Black Friday, it can sometimes seem overwhelming. Most shoppers don’t get all the products they want, mainly because of under-planning. By coming up with an easy and well thought strategy, you can hit the deals you want, while still having a great time shopping around!

Determine your “priority one” store

This can be because it is your favorite place to shop, or just because it has the best deals. Either way, make sure you know where you’re going first so that you can get there on time and have a definite place to start. It helps if it is opening earlier than other stores, so that you can possibly hit more than one store opening in a day. This is the best time to shop because many of the best deals run out shortly after the store opens.

Read through the ads

Once the tryptophan kicks in from the turkey from your Thanksgiving dinner, take advantage of that laziness to sit back and scan the newspaper ads. It is important to pay attention to the stores that are located near you, or the ones that interest you the most. It helps to run through them a couple times to make sure you don’t miss anything. If something really catches your eye, write down the price and the store and compare it to other ads. Remember: just because something is less expensive doesn’t mean it’s a better product. Quality should always be a factor.

Know your stores

Especially for “hot” items that may sell quickly, it is important to know where certain items are located within a store. If you don’t shop there often, it may help to visit before Black Friday in order to familiarize yourself with the general store layout.

Map a route

This doesn’t have to be as elaborate as it sounds – just know which stores you will want to go to, and about the order in which you want to shop. Always keep store locations in mind, and the fact that you may have to make a stop at the car to unload your bags. It’s also important to remember that you will need food eventually, so a restaurant or fast food location should be included in your “map”. Nobody likes a hungry customer!

Cut coupons

Though many Black Friday deals do not require coupons, it is still important to look. Forgetting a coupon is hell when you know you’re missing out on a great deal (remember: coupons are like free money). If you do use coupons, it is important to keep them safe. Too often these small pieces of paper are lost in purses or pockets. Put your coupons in an envelope (even if you only have one) so that your coupon(s) will be more noticeable and easier to find.

Set your alarms

It is best to set multiple alarms for your Black Friday wake-up call. This way, you will have a backup if one fails to go off, and you will be less likely to hit that tempting snooze switch. This day only comes once a year… you want to be absolutely sure you don’t miss it!

Dress wisely

Comfortable clothing is key for your Black Friday wardrobe. The night before, set aside warm, comfortable clothes that will work well for standing in line outside. Keep in mind that it may be snowing – have some gloves and scarves handy if it does. Wear good shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking, and even more standing in line. You want to have fun on Black Friday, and sore feet aren’t what I’d call fun.

Be patient and be polite

Black Friday, for many people, is considered the start of the Holiday season. Don’t be a scrooge and ruin it for them! Have a good time and allow those around you to do the same.

Have a happy Black Friday!