1 Bring a Survival Kit

If you plan on going out to the stores on Black Friday, be prepared for lines — a lot of lines. Make sure to pack all the necessities into the smallest bag possible. This should include: an umbrella, light snacks, water bottles and phone charger.

2 Ditch the Cart

It does not matter what store you decide to go to. Every store will be bustling with fevered shoppers. Taking a cart will only slow you down, allowing someone else to nab that one item you want more than all others. If anything, take a basket. It might reduce your mobility when running in and out of busy lines, but ultimately, the bigger your inventory space, the better.

3 No Item Left Behind

Grab all the things. Especially if you are shopping for toys, CDs, movies or video games. Never trust that an item will be waiting for you on a return trip. Chances are that it will be long gone. Take everything you even think you want. You can sort out which ones you want to buy later, and then leave the surplus on a random shelf.

4 Know the Map

No warrior goes into battle without scoping out the enemy territory. Many stores publish print and digital maps detailing the locations of the biggest deals. Have a copy of your map handy at all times.

5 Be Sneaky

Sometimes, in larger department stores such as Walmart and Target, retailers will put their blockbuster items in different areas of the store. The big TV sales might be in Gardening. The iPhone 27 might be in Grocery (note — only trolls go grocery shopping on Black Friday). But sometimes, retailers also leave a small quantity in their respective departments. Check these locations, too, for your best chance at getting all the deals.

6 Team Up

A Black Friday warrior is nothing without his or her comrades. For your best chance at snagging the best deals, bring some friends. While you secure deals in one section, your friends can be getting items in another.

7 Bundle Up

Depending on where you live, it can get really chilly while you wait in a line that snakes around a store. Make sure to dress in layers. If you get hot, just pack your clothes in your bag.

8 Check Sales in Advance

Many retailers have already posted their deals and doorbusters for Black Friday. Websites such as www.blackfriday.com and www.theblackfriday.com update their pages as new deals are announced. You can pour over those sites now, if you want a head start, or you can wait until the Wednesday prior when retailers put their final ads in the morning newspaper.

9 Cyber Monday

There is a chance that you might not obtain every item you set your sights on during the Black Friday madness. Just remember that the Monday after Thanksgiving is Cyber Monday. Many of the big retailers have online-exclusive sales that rival many of the same deals you can find on Black Friday. This is a great way to finish off your biggest shopping chores for the season.

10 Family First

Amidst all of the excitement of Black Friday shopping, remember that family comes first. Take the time to be thankful for all the important people in your life. Sit down for a nice meal, and when the festivities die down, then you can go hog-wild crazy at your local shopping centers

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