With the infamous Black Friday shopping day right around the corner, now is the time to prepare to save big on the many deals on offer that day. The insane discounts and deals attract many people to shop on Black Friday. According to the National Retail Federation survey, 141 million shoppers spent over $57 billion last year. Although more people are heading online to get many of the same deals, there will still be plenty of people heading to stores to take advantage of door busters and other in store only offers. By properly preparing yourself, you can ensure that you will be able to not only get most of your holiday shopping done early, but you will also get the best deals.

Make a Wish List

The first step in preparation for your shopping is to make a wish list that includes any of the goods you plan to buy on Black Friday for your friends, family members, co-workers, and of course yourself. Once you have determined what you plan to purchase, reorganize the list to prioritize the items you will be purchasing to create a budget. According to Accenture, most people will spend between $250 and $500 on gifts alone, which is an increase from last year. Holiday expenses can add up, especially if you also have to travel to visit your family. Therefore, you want to make sure to remain in budget.

Research, Research, Research

Now that you have a good idea what you plan to purchase, it is time to do the research to find out what kind of deals you can get this year. Many stores publish their Black Friday ads 2014 several weeks ahead of time on websites like BFads, although some stores do not release their ads until closer to the day. As soon as you start to see the ads, look to see where you can get the best deals on the items you want.

You should also take this time to research the items on your list to ensure they are what you really want. Some items may not need much research, such as a particular game of DVD. However, you might need to look into TVs or computers to compare models and brands. Just because an item is an incredible deal does not mean you or your loved one will be satisfied with the item in the long run. You should go into the stores and physically look at the item and compare it with similar items to find the right one for you or the person to whom you are gifting the item.

Compare Savings

Almost all stores have some sort of deals and discounts for Black Friday. Therefore, you want to be sure to compare all the savings on the various stores, including online deals. When you compare online, do not forget to include any shipping costs. When searching for the right store from which to purchase the item, also consider how easy you will be able to get the item. If you have a long list of items, with most of them from one store, and another item is at another store across town, you have to make sure that the deal is worth the extra effort. If it is only a minor difference, then it might be more beneficial for you to purchase it where you already are.

Many stores also offer price matching. According to predictions by USA today, even more companies will be offering price-matching policies. When you research where to purchase the items, see if a store will offer any type of price matching services. Be sure to read any fine print, as some stores put limitations on certain Black Friday discounts on their price matching guarantees.

Create a Game Plan — and Stick with It

You have done your research, created your list, and checked it twice. You still have an important step before your preparation for Black Friday is complete: create a game plan. This includes mapping out which stores to hit, and when. Many stores have door buster sales that only apply during a specific time with limited quantities. Therefore, you will need to ensure you make it to those stores on time. Within the store itself, you should have an idea of where to find the items, and in what order you should look. With so many other shoppers, you do not want to be aimlessly walking back and forth trying to find an item.

Once you have created your game plan, be sure to stick to it. When you are shopping on Black Friday, do not be tempted to buy something as you walk by it, as this could cause you to overspend and break your budget. With preparation, you will be less tempted by the other items in store that you do not need, and that may not be a good price. By following these preparation tips, you will be prepared to save big on Black Friday.