Bubbie's Survival Guide for Black Friday

We're all grownup's right? But that doesn't mean we're going to behave like adults during Black Friday (BF) shopping excursions.

BF reminds me a lot of dieting. You know how to 'budget' (money/calories), but we always manage to overdo it. In other ways, it's like going to a casino: there's the highs of the buys, but the crash of spending more than we intended.

Let's start with some very simple (and obvious) procedures to make this Black Friday a sunny yellow:

1. Write down on cardboard or a hardboard (that will still fit in your purse) who you're planning to buy a gift for and in what cash range you hope to spend.
The reason for the hard board rather than a piece of paper, is that it is more significant and holds more weight. And you won't lose it in your purse. You can pull it out and refer to the list or even hold it in your hand.

2. Be prepared for the following aggravations:
A. Switch and baits.
B. An item being out of stock
C. Unhelpful sales associates
D. Long lines (and)
E. Rude, self-involved/self-important people who will bump into you, cut in front of you
and make you feel completely insignificant.

First, to handle A - D, you chose to go shopping on BF. If you expect the inevitable, the situations will be easier to handle. Put things in perspective if you feel yourself getting hot under the collar. There are just as many people hitting up the shops as there are people who can't go shopping because they can't pay the mortgage.

To handle E - ughhhhh! I'm reminded of "Fried Green Tomatoes" when Kathy Bates just lost it in the parking lot with the two girls who stole her parking space. You will probably run into that as well as bubbleheads (note bubble not Bubbie) who yak loudly or text on their cellphones totally oblivious and inconsiderate to those around them. Say to yourself: Towanda! Or simply remember that karma is alive and kicking butts daily. Don't let it get you down, okay?

3. If you go too strict on yourself budget-wise, you could be setting yourself up to fail. So on your list, leave three blank spaces, with the intention of trying to use only one. These can be gifts for yourself or others. Sometimes there are unadvertised sales or a person you left off the list.

The key to happiness on BF is not to stick to your budget (that would be too good to be true, wouldn't it?), but to not crazily exceed it. The credit card balance and guilt would knock you down and keep you down well into 2010.

Treat BF like a day of luxury. You'll meet all kinds of people: from friendly to stressed to angry and rude SOB's. But now you're prepared. You can handle anything!

Please remember your independent retailers as well for any additional Christmas goodies.

Now go act like the grown-up's you are and don't forget a little something for the Bubbie in your life.