Black Friday Survival Guide

Hey salties, I have a lot of stuff to talk about, including a brief review of Modern Warfare 2 that I've been putting off. In the meantime, with Thanksgiving right around the corner, I am super excited about my favorite day of the year, Black Friday.

For the uninitiated among you, this is what you call the glorious day following Thanksgiving. I've done the go-to-the-store-and-stand-in-line-at-four-in-the-morning thing for two years now, and I'd like to share what I've learned to help you not only survive Black Friday, but to be successful in getting what you want.

1) First and foremost, plan ahead. Know what you're going to get before you step in to the store. There will be a TON of people there (especially if you go to Target or Best Buy). Last year I wanted a single video game from Target, and I knew where it was so I went right for it when I got in the store. This year, I want items from multiple stores, so I'm having to make a list an prioritize what I want.

2) Get there early. Now, you don't have to be extreme by camping out or whatever, but you do need to get to whatever store you want at least an hour before it opens. Last year, at Target, I was an hour early and at that point the end of the line was around the corner of the front of the store. Unless you are trying to get a doorbuster item, or a big-ticket item, you should be ok with an hour buffer at your first stop. In other words, if you want a couple of video games or a camera memory card, an hour will get you what you want. If you want a TV, computer, camera, or large video game (such as a Guitar Hero title), camp out. This also depends on where you live. Here, we have three Targets, so an hour early (or even 45 minutes) will be fine. If you have less stores where you are, you will need to get to the store earlier.

3) NEVER GET A CART. Seriously, on Black Friday, there are so many people in one store at once that you'd be a fool to get a cart. Mobility is most of your battle to your items, and a cart only slows you down to a complete stop before you hit the electronics section. If you want a TV or something, my advice would be to bring a second person to help you carry it. If you are alone, park your cart nearby (like in the baby clothes section) and carry/drag it to your cart.

4) Don't bring your kids. If you have kids, just leave them at home. It makes it worse for everyone there when your kid is crying at 4am in the toy aisles.

5) Items can be exchanged at a later date! This is an Amanda trick. We go to Kohls last because no matter when you go, there will be a line that wraps around the whole store. Amanda discovered that you can get the style of clothes you want, even if they don't fit, at the discounted price. Then, when they have restocked everything, go and exchange the wrong size jeans for the right size. This is a REALLY good trick.

6) Have a plan B. A lot of times multiple stores will have the same items (the same DVD title for example) for the same price across the board. There is a DVD I want this year, and if I can't find it fast enough at my first store, I'm going to go without it and pick it up at my second or third store.

I think that should help you on your way to being a successful deal hound this Black Friday. I've never been unable to get the items on my list (although I'm not sure about this year). I wish you good luck, but also to have fun. It can be a great time running around a store with your family or friends at 5am. In the meantime, visit www.blackfriday.info for your Black Friday planning.