Be smart. Avoid this if you can.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and that means shopping season is here. Are you ready for the day after Thanksgiving shopping rush? Black Friday is a joy to retailers everywhere, but often a nightmare for shoppers. Are you ready?

Long lines, short product supplies, high demand, and rude people can mean trouble for you. For a few shoppers in recent years it has been deadly. With a little planning, you are going to beat the Black Friday blues.

1. Make a checklist of the items you want.

This is your most important step. Price comparisons and making sure that you made all your purchases is a lot easier when you have a checklist.

2. Find all the stores that have items on your wish list.

For online stores set up accounts for each website. Enable cookies and set your browser to log you in automatically when you visit.

3. Use your best credit and bankcards.

Use cards that provide you with hassle-free purchase protection. More protection for you means a better shopping experience.

You now have the basics covered, and should be in a better than average position, but if you want more than better than average, you need to take the next additional steps to put you in the drivers’ seat on Black Friday.

4. Pre-order if possible.

Many websites cannot handle the rush of shoppers during Black Friday and go offline. You can avoid this if you pre-order the item. Pre-order gets you the price without the hassle.

5. Buy Black Friday items now.

On Black Friday go to the store and get the difference. Be sure that you check the return policy first. Every store I have purchased from honors an items sale price when returned within their grace period.

That’s it! You now know five easy steps to beat the Black Friday sales crowd and still get everything you want on your wish list. Here is a recap:

  1. Make a checklist of the items you want.
  2. Find all the stores that have items on your wish list.
  3. Use your best credit and bankcards for Black Friday purchases.
  4. Pre-order if possible to avoid stock shortages and offline websites.
  5. Buy Black Friday items now. Get the difference on Black Friday.

Now, on the Monday after, you can brag about how you got the best Black Friday deals without having to get up at 4AM to beat the crowd.