Ready, Set, SHOP!

Well, that time of year is almost here again. For all of us 'serious shoppers' we have already began training- working out, doing the cardio, lifting weights and running. In other words training for the 'Big Day'. What could it be? The Olympics, some new reality T.V. endurance show? No, it is the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday, The day after Thanksgiving. The day that the 'sales' compare to no other!

While most of Americans are still trying to recover from a day of stuffing themselves with too much turkey and Pumpkin pie. The few - but proud of us, are busy keeping the American retail industry in business, for yet another year. Yes, I know it is a dirty job, but someone has to it. So I will proudly stand up and serve my country and stand in line, in the freezing cold for hours for the occasional "great buy". So, that you can receive it on Christmas day wrapped in shiny foil paper with a huge bow attached to it.

Seriously though, do you realize that Thanksgiving will be here before we know it. It is already Sept. prime training season. We need to practice our shopping cart grabbing skills, our running through tightly packed isle ability, and even train for the occasionally elbow jab to the rookie- who dares to think that they can "cut" in line . Don't they know we are trained professionals? Seasoned and weathered in this great tradition. and we will not and can not allow them to "cut " in line because they needed to stop at 'Starbucks' to fuel up for the"fight".Either it is in you or it isn't and all the caffeine in the world wont change that!

So, the biggest shopping day of the year is quickly approaching. Going shopping the day after Thanksgiving is great fun, and can be a great tradition to start in your family. The excitement and anticipation is enough to drawl even the most turkey stuffed of us off of the conch.

So, here are a few simple tips on how to make your experience a fun one...

1. Bundle up. remember it is Nov. it will be cold out and standing in line in the wind can be brutal.

2. Get there early. A lot of the items that are marked down for the "day after Thanksgiving" WILL sell out!

3.Shop at a place that "price matches" like Walmart- bring your ads from other stores and get everything there.

4. Don't try to cut in line- seriously folks I have seen it get ugly!!

5. Bring your video camera- because you know, someone is going to try to cut in line.- and its going to get CRAZY- The least you can do is post it on 'Youtube'

6. Leave your small children and babies at home. I don't know how many times I have seen a small child standing next to their mother FREEZING while waiting for the doors to open.

7. use the buddy system. decide what each other will go after- split up, and conquer!

So here's wishing everyone "Good Luck - I hope you have fun" and "Hey watch out for those shopping carts!!"