While it may be the early bird that gets the worm, it is the second mouse that gets the cheese.

From planning to execution, follow our tips to keep you savvy on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

1. Plan to win: If you think you are going to just waltz in and walk out with a whole lot of bargains, it is time for a better strategy. Plan ahead and pick the stores with the best prices to visit first.

2. Pack like a champion: Arm yourself with: A water bottle, snacks and sensible shoes.

3. Resist impulse purchases: When the doors open, you will be thrown into a world of retail temptation. Resist any sudden urges, while distinguishing between wants vs needs. Don’t blow your budget on impulse buys before you have crossed everything off your list. It is also a good idea to check your daily card limit to avoid the ‘Sorry, nè’ expression from the teller.

4. Choose your battlefield: If you have to choose between shopping online and in-store, you should know that there are plenty of “doorbuster” sales that are only valid if you show up to the store. These are usually high-end products with huge markdowns, such as televisions, gaming systems and cameras.

5. Shop for big-ticket items first: Black Friday offers considerable discounts on certain items, but for others, there are better sales out there at other times. Wait until later in the day to shop for smaller items, since they go on sale more frequently, and the money saved is not nearly as much.

6. Outsmart the enemy: Watch out for items marked sale that have not actually been discounted. Do your research to avoid being duped.

7. Never leave a fellow shopper behind: Shopping alone on a Black Friday is like drinking alone. Grab your bestie and keep each other safe. If you are shopping for the same items you could divide and conquer, for less queuing and less possibility of missing out.

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