Black Friday Shopping--Deal or No Deal?

Black Friday was created as a day of special sales and deals to help attract holiday shoppers and help put stores back in the black. The term Black Friday goes back many years, possibly as early as the 1960s, and is heard every year, usually starting in November and a few weeks before Thanksgiving. Families enjoy a hearty Thanksgiving dinner, then go to bed early to head out on their Black Friday shopping trips on the next day.

Tons of shoppers looking for the best deals, with coupons and sale papers in hand, drive to department and discount stores in the wee hours of the morning. Many stand in line for hours, hoping to get the best deal by being in line, and thus in the front door, early.

The last couple of years Black Friday shoppers seem to have grown even more intent on grabbing the best deals at all costs. From shootings to death by stampede, the seriousness of Black Friday shopping has surpassed fun times with friends to find the best prices. Now you have to be even more cautious than ever if you want to brave the crowds.

Black Friday has become well-known for being the day that special electronics items and limited edition, or highly-sought-after toys going on sale. Nintendo Wii and DS have been two such popular items in the past. One year a special Cabbage Patch doll was one of the much-anticipated toys. This year part of the Black Friday rage seems to possibly include the new Zhu Zhu pets. Other electronic items that are usually sold as "specials" during Black Friday only include televisions, computers, and DVD players.

So the real question remains this...are you truly getting a good deal at the Black Friday sales? Or are you being duped into buying on impulse because you get caught up in the hype? Department stores especially tend to load the aisles with all sorts of Black Friday deals, but do you stop to look at the price and consider if it really is a good deal or not?

One of the best ways to prevent sale overload is to plan ahead. If you go into a store with no forethought of what you will buy, chances are you will spend a lot more money than you intended. Don't go looking for deals; go with a plan in mind of what you need to buy. In addition, make yourself aware of prices well before Black Friday. When you have a general idea of how much an item costs at regular price before hand, you will be less likely to be duped in a "special sale" or with a fast-talking salesperson who just wants to earn a commission off you.

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Go with the flow of the crowd. Do not attempt to move in the opposite direction.
• Plan your shopping trip ahead of time. Where will you go? What specific items will you look for in each store.
• Bring your sale papers with you, items circled with marker that you want to purchase.
• Travel in a group of three or more people. Don't go shopping alone, especially if you plan on going super early.
• Wait until after the store has been opened a couple of hours, unless you need an item that is limited.
• Plan a fun lunch/brunch for after your shopping is done!