Hunting and Gathering

Never before have I ever participated in the Black Friday craziness except for working that day for about 7 years in a row at both Kohl's in Hiram and Jacksonville.  I loved working that day because the shift just flew by, and you came home with great stories!  Well, this year I actually signed up to become part of this madness.  On the year I decide to participate, the stores decide to open at the earliest times ever!  Of course. 

Wal-Mart, 12 a.m. 
Old Navy, 12 a.m. 
Kohl's, 3 a.m. 
Belks, 4 a.m. 
Target, 4 a.m. 
GameStop, 5 a.m. 

My guide: Lisa Carpenter, my seasoned Black Friday shop-o-holic of a friend!

I started by getting text telling me to get a paper.  I stopped by the gas station and started studying and clipping while Rusty drove us home from Thanksgiving dinner.  Once home, I decided to organize my findings and coupons on a page-by-page cheat sheet for quick access. 

I know...Type A.  (Also, notice that there are several items that are clearly for me and not gifts for other people)  However, these came in extremely helpful when asking where items were.  I have no crazy stories, but I do have several observations.

1.  Wal-Mart had the scariest shoppers and was super unorganized.  They had no way to separate what you could and couldn't buy before midnight.  They also lost the keys to the video game cabinets when time to opening them came. 

2.  Old Navy had the best deals.  I bought 10 items at $5 each with a $10 off coupon!  The 1 hour wait in line went by fast, and Lisa and I kept it fun.

3.  I'm not sure Kohl's observed any kind of fire marshal code as you physically couldn't move in there!  However, all of their door busters were in the aisle that the lines formed in, so you could shop while you waited.

4.  Target was the most organized, yet they had the fewest deals (in my opinion).  The super center Target in Cumming used the food aisles to weave customers through a line that led to the registers.  Best idea ever!

5.  If you look like you play video games, Gamestop will spend minutes trying to get you to sign up for some Gamestop card; however, if you look like me and Lisa (whatever that is), they just ring you up and move you out!

6.  Having a size 6 foot really helped me out finding the last few pairs of $20 boots at Belks!  I love small feet!

7.  Even though I didn't need something or want something, I treated this like
everything else (a competition that I must win) and grabbed it anyway.  Then, I would consider it, allow rational thought to return and replace it.  I guess it is the thrill of the hunt that overtook me.

Overall, I came home with a trunk full of deals:

I wish I could tell you all of my deals, but I truly did buy lots of gifts for some who might be reading this!  I will tell you this one - the best one!  I got a Chi Flat Iron at Kohl's.  It was originally $129.99, on sale for 79.99, plus a 15% off coupon, plus a $10 off coupon, and it earned me a $10 Kohl's cash for later.  All in all, I figure it to costing me right at $52.00.  I have wanted a Chi for years!

 Basically, I had a great time holding on to a few hours of Thanksgiving break that I would have lost to just sleeping away.  Thanks, Lisa!