With the stock market in a downward spiral and unemployment on the rise, the biggest shopping day of the year is shaping up to be the hottest thing since sliced bread.Go anywhere near a store on the day after Thanksgiving — aka Black Friday — and you're guaranteed to be shoulder-to-shoulder with scores of shoppers seeking out the biggest bargains. But never fear — we're here to get you through it with tips on how to make it as stress-free as possible. We've also included a handy-dandy guide to the hours of operation of local malls, department and specialty stores on Black Friday. Yes, your sanity is our No. 1 priority.
Consider the following prior to going shopping:
Make a gift list. There's no reason — or time — for wandering around aimlessly on Friday, Nov. 28. Come up with a detailed list of people you're shopping for and the items you would like to buy for them. Break the list down by category — toys, electronics, beauty — and then by store, which you can do most easily if you. . . Scour the ads. If you missed any of the store advertisements during the week, check the Web — all of the stores prominently feature their weekly fliers online. It won't take long before you find out who's got the best prices on Webkinz and then you can plan accordingly. Budget, budget, budget. In these tight times, it's a good idea to know how much you can afford before you head out. Hit up the ATM beforehand — having some cash on hand is always a good idea — and keep a firm handle on how much you're charging or debiting on each card. One suggestion: affix a post-it note to your credit cards and note each purchase on it along with the date. That way there's no sticker shock when the bill comes around. Plot your course. Just because the price of gas has significantly dropped (we could not have asked for a better gift) doesn't mean you should flit aimlessly all over Central Jersey. No, sirree! Plan your day wisely, and map out which stores you plan to hit and the order in which you will visit them. If there's a particularly hot item on your list that you worry will sell out quickly — say "Rock Band 2" for Xbox 360 — head for that store first.On Black Friday itself, you may want to:
Down the caffeine. Many of you will rise before the roosters, still trying to shrug off the effects of Thanksgiving's tryptophan-laden smorgasbord. A large cup of home-brewed coffee will do wonders to keep you awake and sane during that dark drive to the store. Leave the kiddies home. Black Friday is not the time for a relaxing family stroll through the mall. You want to get in and get out as quickly as possible, and the less people there to distract you, the better. Dress in layers. In addition to the kiddies, be sure to leave your coat at home, too. Your arms will already be full of shopping bags and packages. The last thing you need is to add a 10-pound winter coat. Instead, don a sweatshirt over a short-sleeved T-shirt. If it gets too warm in the stores (and honestly, when doesn't it?), you can always shuck the sweatshirt and tie it around your waist. Remember, comfort is the name of this game. Drop the purse. Ladies, nobody likes to cart a 5-pound pocketbook around when they are shopping. Instead, consider a fanny pack or wristlet that's large enough to carry your cash and credit cards. Sure, they're not necessarily the most fashionable things. But honestly, who cares about fashion when you're prowling for bargains at 4 a.m.? Save those receipts. Instead of letting the cashier drop it in the bag where it may fall out, collect the receipts each time you make a purchase and keep them all together in one place. Consider bringing an envelope along to help you stay organized. Bring a snack. There will be no empty seats in the food court on this day, so your best bet is to gnosh on a banana, granola bar or even a sandwich in the car. Don't forget a bottle of water or soda, too.Godspeed and good luck!