Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year and it is quickly approaching.  Some of the deals are available online but the real steals are only available in-store, hence the name “door buster deals.” So here is a guide to help you shop efficiently and effectively on Black Friday.

1. Research! Check your favorite stores to find out what time the doors open and what deals they have. Get together all the sale papers so that you know what is on sale and where to find it. You do not want to waste any time browsing for items only to discover that they’re not on sale. If you’re shopping in one store, construct an informal map that leads you from floor to floor or department to department. Your organization will give you an advantage over other shoppers.
2. Set a budget and stick to it!
3. Make a list. Know what you want to shop for and go get it.
4. Arrive early. You will still have to face a line on Black Friday but it won’t be nearly as long as it would be a couple of hours into the sale. If you arrive later, you also risk having the items you want to buy being sold out.
5. Continually consult your list of items so that if you see a long line for one product, you can go to another department that might be less crowded and buy something else.
6. Monitor your cart closely. Desperate people may snag sold-out items from your cart.
7. Wear comfortable clothing. Heels are not needed for the occassion.
8. Shop with a group of people. If you shop in groups you all can split up and grab items for each other.
9. Shop online. At least there’s no pushing, shoving or fighting and you can dress however you please.
10. Relax, don’t get overwhelemed if you do not get your purchases.

Here are a list of websites that have a list of stores for Black Friday

• www.black-friday.net
• www.blackfriday.info
• www.2010blackfridayads.com
• www.theblackfriday.com