Black Friday Shopping Tips!

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving.  That's usually the day when many consumers start to do their holiday shopping.  Stores open very early on Black Friday and entice holiday shoppers with lots of incredible bargains.

There are many websites that now list the shopping deals of most retailers weeks before they are posted on the store's own websites or before you get the Black Friday advertisements in your local newspaper.  Here are a few of the best Black Friday ad sites:

• Black Friday 2011 (www.bfads.net)
• 2011 Black Friday Ads (www.2011blackfridayads.com)
• Black Friday Info (http://www.blackfriday.info)

The Black Friday ad sites not only list the items for sale, they also post the actual ad scans from the retailers.  Getting this information several weeks early can help you better prepare for this hectic shopping day. 

10 Black Friday Shopping Tips

1. Check first to see if stores are selling their Black Friday deals online.  Many stores put the items up for sale on their internet sites on Thanksgiving or early Friday morning.  Many stores also offer free shipping.  Buying online will allow you to sleep in on Friday and save you the hassle of fighting the large crowds. 
2. Research the items being offered for sale online. Compare online prices at retailers with the Black Friday ads to see if you really are getting a good deal.  Also check online reviews to see if the item is of good quality.
3. Check the store's shopping hours.  Many are opening earlier than last year.  Also check the time when early bird sales end.
4. Get to the stores before they open.  Some sale items are in limited quantity. So to have the best chance to get the item you want, you'll have to get there early.  Plus, the faster you get into the store, the quicker you'll be able to leave and go shop for bargains at another store.
5. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.  You'll have to wait in line to get into the stores.  And you'll probably have to wait in line to check out.  It will be a long day if you plan to shop at many retailers, so dress appropriately.  
6. Check for online coupons.  Many retailers will have special online coupons that you can use at the store.  So check out their websites and print the coupons out.
7. Buy only the items that are on sale.  Black Friday is the day to get deals.  Don't waste time or money shopping for non-sale items.
8. Hide items that you purchased in the trunk of your car.  Don't entice thieves to break into your car by leaving lots of shopping bags in plain site.  You might even want to take expensive items home, before you continue your Black Friday shopping.
9. Pay with credit card.  Many credit cards offer purchase and price protection and offer cash back rewards and benefits.
10. Probably the most important tip of all..... Buy only items you really need.  It's not a bargain if you don't need it or won't use it.  It's OK not to shop on Black Friday.  Plus, you might find even better deals after the holidays are over.