In order to be successful in your early morning hunt for the best Black Friday deals, I’ve got some advice for you, and really I cannot believe I am sharing my best hints with the public that I will be competing with on Friday morning. But in the intererst of fairness and fun, here is my M.O. for the biggest sale day of the year.

You need to come prepared, because this year’s sales are the type that people will cut you off, and run you down for. Online sources are reporting that most door busters will be in small quantities, so if you have your eye on something specific, you really want to optimize your chances.

Here are my recommendations:

Set your alarm Clock: if you wake up after 4 am, you may as well roll over and go back to sleep. Most of the best deals are spoken floor and off the floor by 6 a.m.

Be comfy: Don’t waste time on a nice outfit or anything more elaborate than a baseball cap or ponytail. In fact, I have been known to hop into bed in my favorite sweats in order to wake up ready to put on shoes and be out the door.

Bring your ads: If you get in line with a great deal only to find out at the register that you have the wrong item number you will be crushed. Check the model number to the ad before you leave the aisle. You can also use the ads to ask employees for help, and to ask some stores to price match non-doorbuster items.

Fuel Up: Shopping that starts before the sun rises is sure to have you tired and hungry before noon. Be sure to bring a nice stash of easy snacks so you won’t be tempted to veer off your course. A coffee stop by 9:30 is a great perk-me-up for the the mid-morning lull you might feel.

Prowl by the registers: Some shoppers grab as many items as they can, and then realize later that they cannot afford or don’t even want all that is in their cart. The throwbacks at the top of the lines may be just the items you were hoping to find.

I found an online compilation at www.bargainist.com that lists these other must-haves for your Black Friday excursion:

A Game Plan - No serious Black Friday shopper wakes up in the middle of the night with a stomach full of turkey without a plan. Nail down store hours, track doorbuster deals and figure out where the best bargains are on the items you want. Know where to go first, and which sales are most important to you according to proximity and savings.

Coupons - Most retailers still accept coupons on Black Friday, even though prices are already slashed. You can save more money on your purchases by printing off coupons before you go. Try manufacturer coupons for dollars off on toys. This will not work at every store, though.

A Shopping Buddy - A shopping buddy is a great thing to have on Black Friday. They’ll offer support and maybe even be the voice of reason when you find yourself contemplating an unplanned flat screen purchase. My mom is planning to go out with me this year. I hope to be her voice of reason.

A Baby-Sitter - Black Friday and little kids are not a good mix. They can easily get lost in the crowds and they’ll distract you from being at the top of your shopping game. Invest in a baby-sitter or ask a family member to watch the little ones. Just tell them you’ll pick them up a little something while you’re out. My babysitter is a tech savvy guy who will be able to check off some of our shopping list online while I am out with the crowds.

After your Black Friday puts you in the red, head home, keep the goods locked in the car (so to not tempt any snoopers), and draw a bath for some peace of mind.

Lead Shopping Blogger Angie Smith will hunt for deals and dish on the latest in retail in Ann Arbor. Readers will attain notices of great deals, and store happenings in and around the city. To report a news item or tip contact her at angieannarbor@gmail.com