Check Ads First
Instead of just hitting your favorite stores, make sure you know what discounts are available on Black Friday. Your Thanksgiving newspaper will be chock-full of ads, so plan your excursion in advance. Decide which deals are most important for you to score, and hit those sales first.
Be a Night Owl
The last several years, many stores have been opening doors at 8 or 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving night. But beware: Get there beforehand if you want to secure that flatscreen or laptop for sure. Some stores may let customers get at the deals before the scheduled time, especially if the store is open on Thanksgiving.
Tote the Ads
Take a tote bag, and stuff the ads you collected on Thanksgiving into it. Many stores have price-match guarantees. So, if you see a product you want at a store that isn't one you have a coupon for, ask a sales associate if they will honor that deal. Many will if you show a flyer, and it may save you a trip, allowing you to get your hands on other discounts before they sell out.
Get Apps
Some apps are filled with the best Black Friday deals, conveniently organized by type, store and most recent. Check out TGIBlackFriday and RetailMeNot before shopping, and while you’re out and about waiting in those long lines.
Stay Home
If you see a sweet discount but don’t want to fight the crowds on Black Friday, you don't have to avoid shopping altogether. Lots of the major doorbuster deals are also available online, so check the store Web site before swearing off the busiest shopping day of the year. If you’re ready to scour and prep ahead for the right timing, you may still grab great deals without having to leave your house.
Get Tech
It’s great to hit the electronics section on Black Friday, as many experts predict the best prices of the year on these items. However, there are some things you should skip on the day after Thanksgiving. Purchases like toys, jewelry and Christmas décor are better bought on other days of the year.
Dress Smart
You may have to move quickly or change on the fly, so think ahead. Slip-on shoes like short boots or ballet flats are key, as are leggings and a thin cotton dress. That way, you can easily slide on bottoms or try on tops without waiting in line for a fitting room—and sprint for that Xbox in aisle four, should you need to.
Get a Gift Receipt
Get a gift receipt on all items you purchase the day after Thanksgiving. Not only does this ensure ease of exchange if any purchases need to go back, but some stores will also give a little more return leeway if you have a gift receipt versus a regular receipt.
MORE: Our Guide to the Best 2013 Holiday Gifts for Everyone in Your Family
Know the Discounts
Some stores offer discounts year-round, and some of those deals may actually be better than Black Friday if you can wait on items until after Christmas and New Year’s Eve. However, there are certain retailers that only offer steals the day after Thanksgiving. Do a little bit of research on your top brands to see if they regularly go on sale, or if Black Friday is an aberration. And, if you see a sale on a coveted brand, don’t wait. Snatch it up, STAT.
