Black Friday: 11 Tips For Surviving And Getting The Most For Less

Whether they're sent by email, snail mail, or sitting at the front of the store in the days before the big sale, make sure to get your paws on the advertisements that list the hot ticket items well in advance so you can study up and map out your plan of attack.

Sometimes those “great deals” in the circular are actually the exact same price you could always buy an item at, so double-check all your planned purchases on their website beforehand to see if you're really scoring a sweet bargain.

You might have gotten dolled up for your family's feast, but Black Friday requires a more practical approach with some supportive sneakers and non-constrictive clothing.

Black Friday is a notoriously tense time for all participants, so make sure you're really up to the task at hand, or else you'll be in for a lot of disappointment when you see all of the things on your wish list snatched up right before your eyes.

Just remember: There is a difference between bravery and being a bully, so don't be outright rude to your fellow shoppers all in the name of a new gadget.

Going to a store alone on Black Friday is perhaps the best way to feel like a fish swimming upstream all on its lonesome. Bring friends and family and give them each a mission for when the doors open, but don't forget to plan a meeting spot to regroup!

If you're planning on nabbing items from more than one store, you can't be dillydallying around for hours at the first place you arrive. Set a schedule for you and your group to abide by before even stepping into your car to head out.

This is especially helpful for establishments that set up different sales depending on the hour of the day, and make sure you're there for the one you really want.

Bigger retail franchises might try to tempt you to their doors with their flashy flyers and large product options, but you might be so caught up roaming their aisles that you miss out on some freebies from the smaller stores. That's right — totally free, not just discounted. You can usually find that at drugstores where essentials, like toothbrushes and toothpaste, are often up for grabs.

Online shopping has become just as lucrative for holiday shoppers as actually showing up to the store, and sales tend to last longer — starting on Thanksgiving or Black Friday and either continuing throughout the weekend or popping back up again for Cyber Monday. Just like with the flyers, be sure to inspect those outlets' email offerings before you start swiping your card at the shops.

Forget grabbing a new outfit and try to book yourself an absurdly cheap vacation with amazing Black Friday travel deals on cruises, flights, and hotels, which you can also find online.

It's rare that you'll be able to check every single item off your list on a hectic shopping spree like this one, so don't let yourself get too down about being too late for one or two of the deals you had your heart set on.

It is way, way too easy to let yourself go overboard when you look at every purchase separately saving you money, only to lose sight of the volume you've stacked in your cart. Set a number you're comfortable spending and don't let yourself slip — maybe even make someone in your group hold you accountable.

Did we miss any tips you've used to get the most out of Black Friday? Let us know below and be sure to SHARE with your friends!