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Black Friday anticipation -

Black Friday promises so much: the incredible discounts on must-have items; the thrill of hunting down the best deals; the warm glow of satisfaction as you unpack all your hard-won bounty.

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Black Friday reality -

The reality doesn't always live up to expectation: huge lines of fraught shoppers; underwhelming deals; bickering families; and regrettable impulse buys are more common than the media hype would suggest.

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Save or splurge? -

Today, retailers run extended Black Friday promotions, making it hard to know when to start (or stop) spending. Don't be tempted to buy at the first sign of a discount.

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Multi-channel shopping -

Black Friday bargains now go well beyond 'doorbusting' stores by camping out overnight in anticipation of early-bird deals. Even the most cautious shoppers can get caught up in the buzz of online promotions.

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Work out how much you can afford -

Before you begin your Black Friday shopping spree, work out how much you can afford to spend. Make a list of what you intend to buy for yourself and for others, and how much you can reasonably afford. Set absolute limits, and stick to them.

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Check pre-sale prices -

Not all Black Friday 'deals' are genuine bargains. It's not uncommon for retailers to bump up prices for a short period before the sales, only to bring them back down to regular prices for Black Friday.

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Prior research wins the day -

In the weeks leading up to Black Friday, check the prices of everything you want to buy. Set up price alerts, and you'll have a sound idea of what really constitutes a great saving.

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Follow retailers on social media -

Following your favorite retailers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram can be a good way to find out about deals ahead of time. You'll get targeted ads, but this may be worth it if it's for products you genuinely plan to buy.

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Sign up for newsletters -

Similarly, sign up to retailers' newsletters for advance notice of sales and to get on waiting lists for products that are likely to sell out fast. If you don't want to clutter your inbox, set up an email account just for promo newsletters.

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Browse in private mode -

Shopping in private mode not only prevents nosy family members from sneaking a peek at your shopping list, but it can bring online prices down, too, as it's tougher for retailers' cookies to keep track of how keen you are to buy.

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Understand price matching -

Before you click 'buy,' make sure you've looked into price matching. Most retailers offer to drop their prices if a product is cheaper elsewhere, but this often excludes sales prices, and you'll need to have evidence of the cheaper offer.

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Read the returns policies -

Make sure you read the small print on returns policies online, too. If you're buying heavy items, you might be liable for the price of sending them back. You should also watch out for anything that violates a return policy, such as unboxing a product.

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Read customer reviews -

To avoid having to return anything in the first place, make sure you've done your online research. Read customer reviews with at least as much caution during the sales as you would at any other time of year.

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Plan your holiday shopping -

If you don't want to be buying in a panic over the holidays, this is the best time to ask friends and family what they might like for holiday presents. You might get a better deal now than later in the year.

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Don't drink and shop... -

After a glass or two of wine, all manner of online deals start to seem appealing! Browsing the online deals with a drink in hand might be the most relaxing way to shop, but you might have buyer's regret in the morning...

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Window shop and sip -

If the lure of shopping and sipping is too strong to resist, give yourself some ground rules. Add items to a basket in the run-up to Black Friday, but don't check them out until you've looked at them in the cold light of day.

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Look through your online baskets -

Do you already have online shopping baskets full of items that you never actually went ahead and bought? Now's the time to look over them and see if there are items you still want but never bought. Then you can search for Black Friday promo deals.

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Keep tabs on what you're buying -

Check every purchase you make against your list and your budget. If you're shopping with a partner, make sure each of you know what the other has bought. It might sound obvious, but in the spending frenzy it's easy to end up buying the same item twice!

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Prepare for traffic -

If you're planning to do your bargain hunting at physical stores, make sure you're prepared for traffic, packed stores, and all the stress that can bring. Don't leave yourself short on time!

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Have an itinerary -

Don't leave the house without a plan. Know where you want to shop, and when, and factor in shopper traffic. Try to head for stores that you know offer deals you are interested in, rather than blindly stumbling from store to store.

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Shop local -

Do you really need to drive across town to join huge lines at a mall? Check what local stores are offering. They may have some competitive deals, which can save you a whole lot of time and effort. This also allows you to support your local community.

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Dress comfortably -

If you're planning an in-person Black Friday spree, layer up. It's going to be chilly outside and hot in busy stores, so be sure to wear comfy, easy-to-remove layers to avoid panic-buying the first thing you see because you can't face the heat any longer.

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Keep your footwear comfy -

By the same token, make sure your footwear is comfy enough for long periods on your feet. Wear flats or sneakers unless you want to end up impulse-buying those, too.

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Bargain hunt in a pack -

As long as you're prepared for possible bickering, bargain-hunting with friends or family can be more fun than solo shopping, and you can split up to find the best deals on different aisles.

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Stick to the list -

Stick to a mantra: if it's not on the list, you don't need it. Throwing all those bargain items in a basket (whether it's physical or online) will add up, and can make a serious dent in your budget.

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Shop for gift cards -

Got picky friends and relatives? Grab a discounted gift card. Many retailers offer special promotional offers on their cards, including deals that give an extra gift card to the buyer. Bonus!

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Use rewards credit cards -

Read up on the details of any rewards credit cards you may have. Some offer substantial cashback bonuses for spending in certain categories. If these fit your spending plans, you could snag a juicy deal.

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Shop smart to avoid empty shelves -

Ahead of Black Friday, visit any physical stores you plan to shop at, and check the layout. Ask assistants where the deals will be on the day.  Knowing where to find your bucket-list items can give you a head start on other shoppers.

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Remember it's only the beginning -

Remember that Black Friday is only the beginning of the end-of-year shopping season. Retailers will be promoting holiday deals throughout the season, so don't go overboard now if you think you're going to be tempted again in a few weeks' time. 

Sources: (Wired) (Money Crashers)

See also: Why is it called Black Friday?

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