By: Rosa Genao

With the holiday season right around the corner, everyone is ready to get some sweet deals on products ranging from toys to clothes to electronics. If you’re new to shopping on Black Friday don’t fret, these tips will be sure to help your holiday shopping run smoothly.

Find the sales that you’re interested in

Check social media and the websites of stores that you are considering  purchasing from on Black Friday to determine how much money you will be saving, and then also spending. This will help you to narrow down which stores will be most important to visit, and decide whether the online or in-store discounts are the better option.

Plan your purchases

Whether you are planning to spend Black Friday buying gifts for friends and family or simple household items, make a list of who you are buying for and what you plan to buy them. In addition, include alternative items on your list, so that if you are unable to purchase that specific product, you have other options. This will give you a rough idea of how much you are likely to spend and if you are over your budget, there is time to adjust it accordingly.

Create Your Route

It may sound silly, but drawing a map of the mall or shopping center you will be going to is very important because it will allow you to determine what the quickest route will be. If you know a particular store will be very popular that night, go there first so that you are able to get what you need before it sells out. Then you can work from that area, continuing on with the stores of greatest importance to you. Also, decide what time is most beneficial for you to go shopping. If you want to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, you can leave your house later. However, there is the risk of items selling out, so determine what will be most practical for you.

Check Online Sales!

Often times companies will have the same deal, if not better, on their websites so if that seems appealing to you, make sure to stay updated. This way you can shop just as successfully in the comfort of your own home.

Gather Your Supplies

Put together everything you will need on your Black Friday adventure: a watch, cash, credit/debit cards, water, sturdy shopping bags, pen/pencil, shopping list, coupons, friends, etc. You have to be prepared if you want your shopping to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Bringing a watch can help you keep track of time, and bringing along a friend can help you to split up the stores you plan on visiting. You can cover one area of the mall while your friend would do the other.

Stay Calm

Black Friday is well known for its tendency to get out of hand. Don’t be surprised if people start arguing over the last sixty inch TV, or if someone steals the newest gaming system out of your cart. What matters is that you keep your cool, because after having such a wonderful Thanksgiving, you wouldn’t want these materialistic things to spoil your mood. Getting too “in the zone” may cause you to exhibit these behaviors as well, and you wouldn’t want to be contributing to the chaos.

       Black Friday can seem a bit intimidating to newbies, but if you’re organized and determined, it shouldn’t be too difficult. Remember to not get too caught up in all these products and items that you just so  “need” to have. If you miss out, it’s not the end of the world. The holidays are meant to be about spending time with the people you love. Either way, I wish everyone a great start to their holiday season!