Enjoy Black Friday without going into the red

While everyone else is planning trips to check out he foliage, enjoying the inevitable return of pumpkin spice, and deciding when to break out the holiday decorations without incurring the wrath of their neighbors, you’re planning your financial conquest for Black Friday 2015. One word of advice: make sure your financial kingdom doesn’t fall to ruin while you’re preparing your Black Friday armada. Saving 50 percent on a new laptop won’t do you much good if you have to turn around and sell it for only 25 percent of its full value to pay your bills.

Don’t Overstep Your Bounds

Before you check out the early Black Friday sales, check out your bank account. Not only should you have a budget for how much you spend on holiday shopping, you should also figure out how much you can spend on decorations, entertaining, food, and traveling for the season. Figure out which categories are the most important and which will require the most spending. This strategy helps ensure you start off 2016 in good financial standing rather than curled up in the financial fetal position.

Know Where You’re Going and How to Get There

Black Friday isn’t for skipping your way through the store with a pocketful of posies. If you aren’t prepared and leave your A game at home, you’ll likely find yourself cast to the sidelines like last week’s social media trend. Just like with grocery shopping, making a list and getting only what’s on it is one of the best things you can do on Black Friday. Write down the specific items you’re looking for before you even look at what stores are offering and resist the urge to buy something because you think you need it.

Check Yo’self Online Before You Wreck Yo’self Offline

Avoid the crowds and the craze by checking for deals online. While Cyber Monday occurs after Black Friday, you still might be able to find a better deal with an online retailer. Just make sure you factor in shipping costs and check the retailer’s reputation before you buy anything. What’s the use of saving money on a coffeemaker if it means dealing with a company that puts their brains in a grinder right along with the coffee?

Look Before You Swipe

As you’re planning your route of conquest and deciding which stores to hit up first, think about where other shoppers will be. Best Buy is well-known for carrying all manner of electronic products, but Target might offer price matching. Instead of trying to be one of the first people to swarm Best Buy and risk taking an elbow to that dignified nose of yours, head on over to Target where the waters might be calmer and the discounts just as good.

Something to bear in mind with this tip is that some stores only match prices at the time of their own sales. If Best Buy’s discounts are only good from 8am to 10am, you may not be able to take advantage of their prices if you go to Target at noon. Also, some stores honor Amazon’s sales, so be sure to print out any product discounts you spot online as well.

Approach Black Friday from every conceivable angle to successfully nab your well-priced prey. No matter what it is you’ve set your sights on, make sure you’ve got the proper financial ammo to keep from shooting blanks.