Sales have already begun, so you won't have to wait until Black Friday weekend to find bargains. Retailers are offering deals in almost every category, and many have holiday refund and return policies that include partial refunds for items that go on sale later in the season for less.

It's pointless to get a good deal if the product isn't any good. During the holiday season, shoppers frequently compete for items we would not recommend. Follow your favorite stores on social media and subscribe to email newsletters to be the first to learn about sales. Brands frequently now provide early access to their database a day or two ahead of time, so you can ensure you get your favorite item in the correct size or color.

Find the item you want to purchase and then begin comparing prices to find the best deal. Brands are sometimes eager to get new customers in the door, and you may be able to get an additional discount just for being a new customer online.

While many deals will be available in-person and online, shopping from your phone or computer may provide you with more luck and options. Given the expected surge in online shopping this year, websites may slow to a painful crawl. Set up an online account ahead of time and enter your payment and delivery information so you can get in, buy quickly once deals are live, and get out!

Another good way to prepare for online shopping is to start saving items to an online wish-list so that they are ready to be added to your cart as soon as they go on sale. Don't waste time looking for Black Friday deals.

Your favorite retailers' Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter feeds are excellent places to learn about exclusive deals and promotions. Customers who like or follow retailers are frequently rewarded with special alerts to Black Friday discounts and incentives. Of course, texts, tweets, and social media posts are quick ways to share Black Friday shopping information with your friends.

Yes, it appears to be simple. However, Black Friday sales, particularly doorbuster specials available in limited quantities, are designed to get you into a store or online so that the retailer can sell you things you didn't intend to buy. It's very easy to get carried away with the excitement and overspend. Determine how much you want your Black Friday shopping spree to cost ahead of time, and try to avoid impulse purchases, especially if you're not sure how good a deal is.

It's always a good idea to understand a store's price-matching and return policies. This year, analysts predict that more retailers will price-match specific deals. Almost all of the major retailers have some sort of price-matching policy in place, and they've been expanding it nearly every year. However, some stores suspend price-match guarantees on specific items during the Black Friday weekend, so read the fine print. Check the return and exchange policies for Black Friday sales to ensure that no restocking fees will be charged for any items returned.