Dollar Stretcher Guest Blogger

by Teri Gault, CEO of TheGroceryGame.com

As CEO of TheGroceryGame.com, savings lover, and bargain hunter extraordinaire, I do go for Black Friday steals and deals. I approach it with glee and a little “black” humor! But I won’t be had by would be Black Friday deals, and I will certainly make sure I maintain my sanity (or at least attempt to)!

1. Shop online. Due to the economy, Black Friday may be busier than ever. While consumers may not actually be spending as much as before, more people will be flooding stores, and fighting each other for things they may not buy anyway. Since many Black Friday deals can be equally as good online, it just might the best time to shop in your robe and slippers.
   
   
2. Save on shipping fees and your sanity. Some retailers offer early Black Friday shopping online, and allow you to pick it up at the store even days after Black Friday, after the madness has subsided. And if you can’t pull yourself away from the computer to shower or change clothes for several days, just go for pick up in your robe and slippers. I’m sure they’ll understand that you’re just one smart shopper!
   
   
3. Shop early. Numerous websites, like Amazon.com, already have daily Black Friday deals in limited quantities. So browse early and browse often. This is not the time to clean house or do any other chores.
   
   
4. Don’t get caught up in a feeding frenzy! Just as sharks will eat anything while in a frenzy, you don’t want to buy something just because you’re caught up in the hype. Most Black Friday deals are for a limited time, or limited inventory. Online, you may even find a clock ticking for the deal to expire or a ticker tape telling you the inventory is about to run out. None of those things actually prove anything in terms of value. And by the way, contrary to what you may feel at the moment, you’re not going to die if you don’t get that deal. There’s plenty of fish in the sea for you and all those other sharks! Don’t be pressured into buying before you take the time to find out if it’s really the best deal or not. Always compare prices online no matter where you shop, online or in the stores. Hmmm… maybe that was just bait after all?
   
   
5. Search for promo codes. When shopping online, before going to checkout, search the web for promo codes. Amazingly, last year, I was able to use promo codes at checkout even on super discounted Black Friday sales. Sweet!
   
   
6. Steer clear of deep discount stores. Deep discount stores like Target, Kmart, Walmart, etc. will draw the most crowds. While those discount retailers may have killer deals, other mainstream retailers also have great Black Friday offers. Stores like Office Max, Staples, and others tend to have fewer people competing for deals, and the whole scene is much more like a shopping experience than a heavy metal concert. I don’t know about you, but I prefer the former.
   
   
7. Try to avoid the big ticket items. The limited offer big ticket items like the big screen TVs will draw the biggest crowds and the most hair pulling, scratching and biting. Consider this… If you have say a $300 budget for Black Friday, you could either fight the madness for a $700 TV for $300, or you could get $700 worth of several smaller items for that $300. The same value for one big thing can be found in lots of little things. Choose instead to shop for Christmas gifts and other events in the coming year, like birthdays and anniversaries. You’ll probably get the same value, and you just might come home with all your hair and teeth!
   
   
8. Get a head start. Some stores are open on Thanksgiving Day for Black Friday sales. If you can break away from stuffing your turkey, you just might get a head start at some of the hottest deals without too much chaos. And if you find you’re doing really well, and just can’t bring yourself to go home and finish your Thanksgiving meal, just buy each person a Thanksgiving present instead of food. Rush home and set a gift on each person’s place setting, and tell them it’s a low-cal meal.
   
   
9. Use the buddy system. If you decide to brave the crowds on Black Friday, see if you can find a victim, err… I mean “friend” to go with you. Find someone you want to get back at, or someone you’ve genuinely been wanting to spend time with, and make it all about spending time with your friend. You may have hours to catch up on things while waiting in long lines. And I do mean HOURS! Then, if you do manage to nab some deals, that’s just the frosting on the cake.
   
   
10. Bring music or a book. If you can’t convince a friend to go into battle with you, borrow your kids’ iPod or bring a good book on something light, like quantum physics or how to boil water. Anything will be better than standing in long lines with nothing to do.
    
    
11. Carry a backpack. If you do choose to go out for Black Friday, be prepared for a marathon. Ditch the purse in favor of a backpack or fanny pack, and if you carry a wallet, put it in a backpack with water and snacks. You may not be able to leave a good line for hours, so maybe a porta potty too (just kidding, unfortunately, I’m pretty sure that’s not allowed). And if you have a football helmet and pads, those could come in handy, too.
    
    
12. Sign up for Black Friday emails, apps and Twitter alerts. If you want to be first to know as the deals break, you can sign up for special alerts via email, apps or Twitter. Then when the alert comes through, run, don’t walk, to the mall or the computer!
    
    
13. Dress appropriately. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. And above all, wear your smile and have a great time!

Lifestyle expert Teri Gault is an industry leader helping people learn how to save money shopping. Teri has been featured on television shows such as GMA, Today Show, Fox Business, CNN and local outlets cross the country. In addition to serving as both CEO and key expert for The Grocery Game, Inc, Teri frequently speaks to women's organizations across the country, explaining how The Grocery Game allows her to streamline grocery shopping to save both time and money. TheGroceryGame.com