Black Friday is one of the most intense shopping experiences of the year, and thousands of people across the country take part in the hectic festivities to find the best deals and the most sought-after items. According to BlackFriday.com and the National Retail Federation, the total consumer estimate was $57.4 billion in 2013 on Thursday through Sunday. Here are some tips to help guide your shopping pilgrimage this year:
1. Plan ahead.
The most important part of Black Friday shopping is to have a well-thought-out plan going into the day; after all, it only lasts 24 hours. Look through upcoming sales, coupons and advertisements and know what to shop for before the day begins. If you want a new TV, decide on the size and model beforehand. Check out where that TV is going to be the cheapest, and make it a priority on your list. Rank the items you want to get by importance.
2. Make a schedule.
The day before the big shopping extravaganza, make a schedule of where and when you plan to shop, and stick to it. You don’t want to miss out on an amazing deal because you spent too long at one place. Allot yourself a certain amount of time at each store, and make sure to keep in mind the time you’ll be spending in line. 
3. Wear comfortable clothes.
Speaking of standing in line, make sure to wear comfortable, even athletic, clothing. There is nothing worse than standing in a line for an hour while your tired feet are throbbing in pain. Being uncomfortable while shopping can ruin the entire experience, and nine times out of 10, it cuts the day short.
4. Think thrifty.
Thrift stores could be a potential gold mine around Black Friday. Think about it: Shoppers want to build an entire new wardrobe for the spring, but they have to get rid of the one they already have. So make sure to stop at Goodwill or other local thrift stores to find some great winter items for cheap.
5. Shop local.
Change it up a little and try out some local stores and boutiques. This might help you avoid some of the craziness of Black Friday while still saving money. Why wrestle with someone over a sweater at Aeropostale when you could find something of better quality at a place like Private Stock?
6. Pack a lunch.
Consider bringing snacks with you to the mall or wherever you go so you can avoid the food court mayhem and save even more money. Options such as granola bars or nuts can give you energy throughout the day and give you an edge up on the competition. Even pack a small cooler with sandwiches and drinks that you can eat en-route to the stores on your Black Friday schedule.
7. Plan your routes.
For the more advanced shoppers, plan out the various routes that are quickest around town. This is simple. Just use a GPS or Google Maps to find the fastest way to the mall or elsewhere. This could be a perfect opportunity to familiarize yourself with the twisted backroads of Baton Rouge while shaving some time off of your overall shopping time.
8. Wait for Cyber Monday.
If for some reason you are not physically (or emotionally) fit for Black Friday shopping, Cyber Monday is always something to remember. This is arguably one of the best days of the year for online shopping, and shoppers can take part from their living rooms the Monday after Thanksgiving. 
Michael Tarver is a 20-year-old mass communication junior from Houma, Louisiana.