Black Friday is one of my favorite shopping days! For as long as I can remember, I have gone out super early and braved the crowds and lines to get some bargains. I love it! Plus, my goal is usually to have my Christmas shopping finished by the end of November, so it gives me a chance to get in those last few gifts.

Here are some tips for making the most of Black Friday:

*Start planning early – There are several websites that release previews and ad scans early. Check out the ad scans to figure out which stores will have the best deals on the things you are looking for. Here’s a link to my favorite Black Friday preview site: http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/

*Get the newspaper on Thanksgiving, check out the ads, and prioritize – From my experience, the ad scans on the Gottadeal site are pretty accurate, but it helps to have a paper copy. Check out the ads to make sure the items you want are really there and then prioritize what items you want.

*Come up with a plan of attack! What time will you get there? If you are going to electronics stores like Best Buy or Circuit City, the lines start forming pretty early (sometimes on Thanksgiving Day). If you are going to stores like Target or Kohls, you can usually get there around 4:30 and get a decent spot in line if they open at 6.

*Divide and conquer – Talk with friends or family members to find out where they are going. If they are going to a store that has something you want, as if they can look for it. Or, if you are all going to the same store, divide up areas of the store and pick up items off everyone’s wish list.

*Be prepared to wait – The lines to get in aren’t the only ones you will have to deal with. The lines at the registers are usually just as long.

*Find out if stores open on Thanksgiving Day. CVS will be open on Thanksgiving and they have LOTS of great deals! In my area, the stores at our local outlet mall will be opening at midnight on Friday.

Here are some of the highlights from the CVS Thanksgiving weekend ad:

*Colgate Total Advanced toothpaste – $2.99, get $2.99 (limit 2)

*Aussie shampoo, conditioner, or styler – $2.99, get $2.99 (limit 2)

*Johnson’s soft lotion – $5.69, get $5.69 (limit 1)

*Gatorade G2 20 oz – $1.49, get $1.49 (limit 3)

*Hershey’s King size bars – $1, get $1 (limit 1)

*Bic Soleil razor – $5.99, get $5.99 (limit 2)

*Garnier Nutritioniste cleansing toweletters – $5.99, get $5.99 (limit 1)

*Maybelline foundation – $8.99, get $8.99 (limit 2)

*5 hour energy 2 pk – $3.99, get $3.99 (limit 1)

*Phillips headphones or Magnavox universal remote – $6.99, get $6.99

*LOreal Colour Juice sheer lipgloss – $6.99, get $6.99 (limit 2)

*Sally Hansen maximum growth nourishing nail color – $3.79, get $3.79 (limit 1)

*CoverGirl smoothers liquid makeup – $7.99, get $7.99 (limit 1)

*CoverGirl smoothers powder – $5.99, get $5.99 (limit 1)