The alarm goes off. It’s 2 a.m. Your body is completely full from eating huge meals yesterday, then back up two hours earlier for re-heated leftovers. For a split second, you regret the choice to Black Friday shopping this early.

• Start ahead of time: Some stores begin their sales a week or two before actual black Friday, so keep an eye out for early deals. Even the night before, stores open their doors and start the savings.

• Make a game plan: Have an itinerary and decide which stores you want to hit. Do your research and find out which stores open when. Things can get stressful when there isn’t a backbone to the day. Plan ahead!

• Compare prices: Again, do some research. If there are certain items you’re looking for, go online and look at multiple stores that have it and see where you can get it cheapest.

• Don’t go alone: If you’ve ever been black Friday shopping, you know how insane it can get, and if you never have, you’ve heard stories. Going with a friend (or even better, a group of people) can make things less stressful, keep you accountable, and keep you safe. Not to mention it makes it more fun.

• Keep yourself fueled: Shopping can take it out of you and everyone with you. Don’t forget to stop for breakfast & lunch and coffee breaks to keep you going!

• You don’t have to wait for Cyber Monday to get online deals: Some stores have their large savings online on black Friday as well, so you may not even have to leave home to save!

• Pick card or cash: Using your credit/debit card not only makes shopping much quicker and easier, but things can get very unorganized when black Friday shopping, and if you were to lose your wallet, you can call and cancel your card before you lose your money. With cash, there’s no way to get it back. On the other hand, shopping with cash makes it so much easier to not spend too much. When your cash is gone, it’s gone. It all depends on you and how much you trust yourself.

• Skip it all together: Sometimes it is just so much better to skip it all and put the money you would have spent in your savings account. You will thank yourself later. Spend that day at home with your family and continue the Thanksgiving spirit (or begin to plan for Christmas!)