5. Case the joint and handle the merchandise. Before the day of the sale, take a walk through the store to plot your quickest route to the most popular items so you don't waste time wandering the aisles. While you're there, examine your future purchases to avoid surprises and having to make last-minute, game-day decisions.

Another idea, from Marvelous Marcia in our newsroom: stake out cash registers in low-traffic locations that might have shorter lines. Last year she walked right up to the checkout line in the sporting goods department of WalMart, which was completely empty.

6. Shop early, or order online instead. Are you more of a night owl, or is the weather less than hospitable? Does the pressure of waking up early from your turkey stupor sound unappealing? Then consider visiting stores offering big sales on Thanksgiving or opening at midnight. Some retailers will make their Black Friday deals available online, as well, so no need to change out of your pyjamas.

But no matter what your strategy is ...

Check return policies. Don't be surprised later on if you've picked up something as final sale or if stores plan to charge a restocking fee to prevent you from being too free with your returns.

Save your receipts, and ask for gift receipts for all presents. You might get a great deal on some item, but who knows whether there will be further markdowns later in the holiday shopping season? Use sites like Priceprotectr.com to keep track of sales so you can ask for price adjustments if there are future markdowns.

We'll offer plenty more tips on ways to get the most for your money through next week and the rest of the holiday season, but please let us know what ideas have worked for you in the past. We'd love to hear what you'll be doing on the day after Thanksgiving, even if it doesn't involve making a lot of purchases.

(ed note: And for those of you expecting to find the best deals at Circuit City or any other business that's having a liquidation sale, please doublecheck those prices since liquidators often mark up prices and then drop them to make it seem like you're getting a deal when you're really not. Retail reporter Andrea Walker says you have to remember that Circuit City is trying to make some money. So check that deal before you purchase it. -- DD)