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The day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 27 this year) is notorious for its blowout sales and the occasional fatality. It is essentially the Christmas shopping season opener. This day can go from frugal to frightful in a matter of seconds. Consider the following before you decide to step out at 4am on Black Friday.

10. This year Black Friday happens to fall on a certain Top Ten writer’s birthday. Perhaps you should consider taking her out for lunch or to a movie instead.

9. Watch out for rogue shopping carts. In the rush to find your treasures you might forget exactly how to navigate around others - leading to a collision in the aisles and some pretty angry people.

8. Save your money. Remember to have money to go shopping, but also remember that just because this is the biggest bargain day of the year does not mean you should buy everything.

7. Beware of line jumpers. People have seriously gotten into heated arguments about who was first. This also raises the concern about people who ask you to save their spot. Make up your own standards about this, and just remember it is Black Friday and you must step up your game.

6. Be civil. Don’t yell at cashiers to hurry up. Remember that, though you are pitted in intense competition against fellow shoppers, you are all still human and murder or accidental homicide is a crime.

5. Read the fine print. You’re being rushed in and out of stores all day with pitchmen yelling at you. Do not let this rush pressure you into buying something you aren’t fully informed about. The return policies implemented on Black Friday are rarely convenient.

4. Don’t go alone. This one is pretty obvious. Power and safety in numbers. Take a friend for moral, monetary and game plan support.

3. Have an escape plan. Have you seen the episode of “Friends” when Monica takes Phoebe and Rachel to a wedding dress sale looking (and finding) a specific dress? Absolute mayhem. The girls had whistles and a safety word to signal to the others when they had the dress or when one needed help. Fashion a similar tactic with your friends and shop at ease knowing you have a way out.

2. Know what you want and where exactly you can get it. Get in quick. Grab. Pay. Run. Know the layout of the store and where your items are. Knowing this helps you pick an easy path to your target and it saves time and hopefully some frustration.

1. Stampeding will occur. Do you want your obituary to read, “killed by angry woman while fighting over a Furby?” Be prepared for a rush of people in and out the door, and especially at checkout. Don’t get freaked out or angry if someone is invading your space – remain calm and avoid angry shoppers!