Black Friday shopping survival tips...

[ShoppingInsider]

From my newsletter, but thought y'all might appreciate it...

What are you doing this Friday? Will you be braving crowded parking lots, desperate shoppers and grumpy cashiers in hopes of scoring huge savings on holiday gifts? Or smugly sipping tea at home, chanting "It's just not worth it" under your breath while secretly wishing you could get those savings, too?

There ARE ways to minimize the holiday shopping hassle and still save money this weekend. While it's no longer the busiest shopping day of the year (that honor goes to the Saturday before Christmas), retailers roll out some of their biggest holiday promotions on Friday.

- Create a shopping plan. Check Black Friday ads as soon as they are leaked. There are a number of websites that list these such as BlackFriday.info or GottaDeal.com. Write down a shopping list, and resolve to stick to it!

- Shop online. If the store has a website, shop online - Black Friday deals are often available beginning at midnight.
You can be done before the stores even open!

- Try price matching. Many stores will sell items for the same price that a competitor is advertising even if it is marked at a higher price at their store. So if Store B's price is higher than Store A, and Store B offers price matching, avoid the crowds at Store A altogether! Simply bring the competing store's ad to Store B and ask them to match the price.

- Shop alone. You'll get in and out more quickly and will be less tempted to buy your overtired kid (or spouse) that glitzy gizmo they spotted or that high-cost, high-calorie designer drink.

- Bring cash, or maybe a debit card. When it's gone, you've got to stop buying, right? Just avoid the ATM machine! If you plan to use credit cards, use bank cards rather than store cards (lower interest) and use them sparingly. Most people PLAN to pay off holiday credit card bills in 3 months, but it usually TAKES 6 to 10 months. Yikes!

- Adopt an attitude. Remind yourself that you're in charge, that you're not going to fall for clever sales tactics or media pressure, and that it's a waste of money to buy something you don't need.

- Remember why. After all, Christmas isn't about guilt, and the biggest spender isn't the winner. You can't put a monetary value on "I love you" or "Thank you", so don't even try. Make your holiday big on meaning rather than on spending.

[PRICEPLUS]

Thanks for the tips!