Black Friday Shopping Survival Tips

There ARE ways to minimize the holiday shopping hassle and still save money this weekend, when retailers roll out some of their biggest holiday promotions.

- Create a shopping plan. Check Black Friday ads as soon as they are leaked. 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 usually 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. When it's gone, you've got to stop buying, right? Just avoid the ATM machine!

- 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.