Your Ultimate Black Friday Survival Guide

As Black Friday nears, some are excited about the deals and steals the day promises to offer, while many others are deathly afraid of the prospect of being pushed, shoved and trampled amidst the frenzy.

I tend to side with the latter, but either way, here's your Guide to Surviving Black Friday!

Get Your Mind Right

Sale or not, if you don't have the money to shop, then don't shop!  Remember, rent and a host of other bills are due on December 1st. The mindset that buying something on sale makes it better somehow is totally naïve. There's no laptop or plasma screen TV worth going into debt over or borrowing money you can’t repay in a reasonable amount of time.

Make a Gift List

Write down everyone you plan on buying a gift for, a few options for what you’d like to buy them and the price range you are willing to spend. This way, you can focus your Black Friday efforts and be sure that you are not buying random items impulsively or just for yourself without tackling your Gift List.

Do Your Homework

Don't be fooled by tons of flashing red SALE signs and displays designed to make you feel like you’re saving loads of money. Do your research and see if the savings will really be worth the long lines and possible trampling. Be aware of the fact that some retailers have been raising prices over the last few weeks in order to make the markdowns during Black Friday look like a great deal. Don't be mad; it's not illegal!

Take Advertisements With You

Every once in awhile, you may run into a scenario where you read $99 in the advertisement and its listed in the store for $119. In that case, make sure you have your proof handy. If you don't, don't attack the sales people. Corporate offices make last minute changes all the time and at the end of the day, those poor souls are just doing their job. I'm not saying don't stand your ground and get your $20, but if you have proof on you, it makes everything so much simpler.

Related Article: 7 Steps To Spend Less And Erase Holiday Stress

Tag Team

Let’s say you have a few friends who are brave enough to battle Black Friday with you. Instead of waiting at the same store together, separate and share your wish list with a friend. If you're like me, you want to get the whole ordeal over with as soon as possible anyway. Have your friend get what you need from Target, while you camp out at Old Navy. Settle up at the end of the day and everyone can get what they want with minimal aggravation.

Shop From Home

Skip going out to the stores all together! Many online retailers have just as many savings to offer without the line, the crowd, the gas and all the energy. If you're into the hype and just love the atmosphere and the feeling you've conquered something, then cool, but if its not that serious - do it from home! Shopping from your computer will make it a lot easier to comparison shop too!


Until Next Time,


Seek Wisdom, Find Wealth & Be Blessed!