Bargain shoppers, if you are getting ready for the annual  “Midnight Madness” shopping or the 3 am Black Friday sale, I salute you.  For those of you gearing up this week’s shopping sale and door buster specials, here are a few tips.

• Check the Store circulars, The Recessionista’s  real time posts (follow @Recessionista on Twitter or @Recesssionista on Instagram for the latest.)  Check the  The Black Friday website for the best deals. Make your list from the circulars and websites. Do the Doorbusters first (4 am to 5 am) then move on to the rest.
• Use Google. Search Google for deals while you are in store, and if you find a better price, show it to the store clerk, they will usually match it.  Nordstrom now is actively doing price matching as are other retailers. Check the Nordstrom price matching page for some of their bargains.  Amazon will also do price matching, check Amazon price matching policies here.
• Download your favorite retailers Mobile Apps. Some retailers will have special deals only available from their Mobile Apps.
• Check your email before heading to the store, or from the store on your “smart phone” iPhone or other device. The stores are e-mailing discount codes and posting to their Facebook groups with special deals.  So if you like a particular retailer, join their Facebook group, or sign up for their mailing list so you can get their deals.
• Have a look at the news on Twitter using the hashtag #blackfriday, #CyberMonday or simply #Deal. Many of the retailers will be tweeting.  Check their Twitter IDs as well as the hashtags for the deals.
• Form your own smart shopping team. In the past, my sister-in-law and I have traded off various sections in the stores to get the Doorbusters. She goes for toys, I go for fashion/clothing.

What to Wear on Black Friday if you’re going into the store

Then next challenge is what to wear on the journey. Here are some things to think about. Some of the challenges a Black Friday shopper faces include:

• Going from cold temperatures outside to warm temperatures inside
• Trying on clothing efficiently
• Weaving your way through an overcrowded store
• Comfort for long hours

To help you survive, here are a few suggestions:

• Dressing in layers is the key to holiday shopping success. Get ready to wear take off sweaters and jackets in store. This will make it easy to stay cool in the store and warm in the parking lot.
• Wearing a puffy vest frees up your arms – easier to push the cart, reach for deals. You’re also not trying to fight your way through a crowd in an oversized jacket.
• A slim fitting tank is a great piece to wear when out shopping. It layers well and is great for trying on blouses, jackets, blazers and more….just in case you spot that perfect holiday gift for yourself.
• Shoes are the key to staying comfortable for the entire shopping day. (Tip: check out the shoes at Kohl’s for numerous options from slip-ons to flats.) My niece wears her Sketchers and I have been known to wear my PJ Clarks.

Pictured: Sketcher’s comfy Mary Janes, available at Kohl’s on sale.

• Just because you’re up early, it doesn’t mean you have to look like it – some foundation, mascara and lip gloss goes a long way.
• Don’t let bedhead rule you! Wear a cute hat or scarf around the head. H&M, Kohl’s Simply Vera and Kmart’s Jaclyn Smith (even a French Beret) offer chic n’ cheap chapeaus.

Remember, float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Swarm in early for the Black Friday savings, get in, be safe and get home to go back to bed. Don’t spend all day at the mall buying stuff you don’t need, that wasn’t on your shopping list.

P. S.: Try not to waste precious time in the mall lot looking for parking close to the storefront. This eats up doorbuster time. Just park it and go!