Follow www.TheBudgetQueen.com on Facebook
Black
Friday Survival Guide
By The
Budget Queen
Black
Friday. It comes every year, and every year we vow not to partake in the
organized chaos, but yet we do. It is
all about enjoyment and accomplishing the task you set out to do, right? It's so fun to go out with friends and family
and shop delightfully and enjoy the sights, sounds and wares of the season. It's truly a wonderful adventure, isn't it?
The
sights and sounds of Black Friday shopping are all too familiar. The banshee-esque sounds of people screeching
when they find what they are looking for, the animalistic nature of territorial
stances, the quickening of footsteps behind you as you close in on your prize,
the overcrowding of the herds, the unidentifiable sounds that fill the night
air and last into the wee hours of the morning.
Who are
we kidding here? It's jungle out there and if you are going to swing on the
vines and brave the wild, you'll have to be prepared.
There
are a few fundamentals you should know, so here goes:
Preparation:
Full
tank of gas
Clean
car/clean trunk
Fully
charged cell phone
Blanket
Bag
o' snacks in the car
Thermos
with coffee/water
Store
ads and coupons
Planned
route
List
of times that stores open
List
of items needed at each store
Place
at home to put items
Of
note:
Ideas
for places to eat
Places
along your route that will be open all night with restroom facilities
available
Budget
for each store or total budget for entire shopping trip
Attire:
Dress
in layers: t-shirt and sweater or long sleeved shirt
Jeans
or comfortable pants with pockets
Comfortable
shoes
Remember:
Minimal bulk leaves hands free and maximizes basket space:
Small
handbag or a wallet that fits into pocket with one card, cash, license,
coupons and shopping list.
Don't
forget to rest before heading out tonight, and drive safely.
|
Hibernate. You'll need to rest up for
this taxing journey. You must be alert and agile to get those deals!
The
lair.
You
need to prepare your vehicle, which is like your lair. Full tank of gas, snacks, charged cell phone
and cell phone charger and a cleaned, vacuumed and de-cluttered interior.
You'll want a blanket for warmth, should you need to wait in the car in the
parking lot and it's also a nice item to cloak your purchases-should you want
to. Put your ads, coupons, itinerary and map in your car the day before your
excursion. It's a good idea to put a first
aid kit in the glove box too. You laugh,
but just trust me on this one.
Scavenging
for food.
Squirrels are no dummies. They plan
ahead. Pack some non-perishable snacks
in your car, and maybe some in your pocket for the long wait ahead. Fill a
thermos with hot chocolate or coffee or water.
You need to stay hydrated, because if you weren't aware of it
already-this shopping trip counts as your workout for the entire week.
Attire. Layering is key. Chances are
it will be cold, but inside the store it is going to warm up quick with all
those other people, so it's nice to be able to molt if you need to. You'll want
to carry around your currency in a small receptacle. The best choice is
something that will fit in your front pocket. Your license, card and cash and
coupons should fit in it nicely. You may want to load a prepaid credit card
with the total amount of your budget and carry that with you instead, it will
keep your budget in check and is less cumbersome than multiple forms of
payment.
The
nest. Well,
eventually-you will head back to the mainland and your home will need to have a
spot for all of the items you are bringing back from the jungle. I usually
prepare a closet, so that when I get back, all I have to do is place the bags
in there and get ready for a nap after my long journey.
Preparation. You need to have a plan about what you are
seeking. Make a list of the items you want at each store and set a budget. Even
if you know the store layout very well, there is no way to know where each item
will be placed, but at least you'll know your way around.
The
map. You'll
need a map of the jungle. So what you
need to do is to plan out your route according to time of store opening and
priority. If you have other adventurers in your party, then there is a chance
to divide and conquer.
Stay
the course.
Try not to detour from your carefully planned route-make sure you know where to
find restroom facilities, and find a restaurant that's open all night.
The
jungle. It's a maze. It's full of the unexpected and
unpredictable, but if you are prepared, you will make it through. The goal is to get that treasure and get out
quickly and unscathed. But you also need to know that it's just fine to wave a
white flag if you need to retreat.
The
hunt. If you know what you came for, and stick to
your list, you will be focused. Go for the item of highest priority first,
because you may not get everything you want. There will always be someone
faster and there is only a limited supply of any one deal-even if the stores
prepare well ahead of time. So enjoy the hunt! When you are focused there is
more opportunity for success and less of a chance for disappointment.
The
treasure. Yes.
You came to get the ultimate prize-but there is no need to let the wild animal
come out in you in order to secure it-be polite and courteous, even if others
aren't.
The
escape. You've
done your work. Now get in your car with all your great finds and head for
home. You're walking away from a
glorious adventure safe and sound. There's something to be said for that.
(And it
might sound a little like a Tarzan yell...)
Here's how it works: anyone who brings in a can