Thanksgiving 2015 is here, which means Black Friday is upon us. So it’s time to plan the perfect Black Friday strategy to ensure finding the best deals around while maintaining everyone’s personal safety and sanity! Implement the following tips to make Black Friday fun and stress-free.

Set a budget and stick to it

This is probably the hardest part, especially when stores offer tempting 50-to-70-percent-off deals. Setting a budget will help you stick to the necessities so you don’t end up with a lot of unnecessary extras.

Make a shopping list and stick to it

List down the items you want to buy; a mental checklist almost always fails. Having a physical checklist also makes it easier for you to stick to your budget.

Also, consider what items to not buy during Black Friday, such as televisions, because better offers are available during January to March when manufacturers introduce new models at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. This means that older models go on sale during that timespan. Plus, manufacturers traditionally lower TV prices during football season.

Know when stores are opening their doors

If you plan on shopping on Black Friday, be aware that most stores these days actually start their sale on Thanksgiving Day, like last year when some stores started their sale at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

Bring a buddy or two

Go in pairs – or more! This way you have someone to keep you company while waiting in line for the door to open, hold your place when you need to go to the restroom, and you can divide and conquer while shopping. If you have a lot of items on your list, divide it between you and your companions to have a higher chance of snagging great deals.

Bring sustenance

Some stores open early, which means people sometimes line up hours before the doors open. Some even camp out overnight. To survive Black Friday comfortably, bring food and drinks, especially water to keep hydrated. Bring food that is kind to your stomach so you don’t have to scramble for the toilet at the last minute.

Arm yourself

It can get boring waiting in line for hours, so bring along some entertainment, such as a smartphone or tablet. Just make sure to keep an eye out so they don’t get stolen. Also, consider bringing a power bank or two along so your mobile devices don’t run out of juice.

There’s an app for that!

Download apps that provide real-time alerts as to which shops are having flash sales on certain items or which shops offer the best deals for an item you want.

Dress for battle

If you’ll be standing in line for hours, dress appropriately. Wear a warm jacket if it’s cold out; you can always take it off when it gets too warm. Wear comfortable shoes that can also protect your feet from clumsy shoppers who may step on them.

Have patience

It can get frustrating when waiting in line after line on Black Friday. There are lines before the doors open, lines to get the items you want, lines to pay for items, lines to get out of the parking lot jam. So being patient is a key ingredient to successfully surviving Black Friday and not ending up being a casualty of this annual tradition.

Check out the best Black Friday deals here:

More Nest deals for #BlackFriday2015

MacMall’s Black Friday sale has 1,000+ deals on Mac, iPads, electronics and accessories

Black Friday week PC gaming hardware presale deals for the hardcore but frugal #BlackFriday2015

Verizon’s Black Friday deals: 5 days of specials on smartphones, tablets, accessories

Best Target Black Friday deals on iPhones, PlayStations: Free gift cards

Best Buy Black Friday deals: TVs, game + console bundles and more

Microsoft’s delectable Xbox One deals for Black Friday, starting today

Amazon Black Friday 2015 list includes some great bargains on tech and electronics

11 unmissable Black Friday deals on Apple’s iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV

6 Pre-Black Friday deals on iPads, iPhones, GoPro cameras, more

13 unmissable Black Friday deals on Android smartphones and tablets

Nest Black Friday sales: Best Buy discounts, bundles and more

Best Black Friday sales for smartwatches, fitness trackers and other gadgets

Best Walmart Black Friday sales for iPhones, game consoles and TVs

Photo by Diario Critico Venezuela