1.  Prepare ahead of time by flipping through the ads in your local paper to find out what discounts are being offered and what store hours will be.

2.  Do your research on products that you are interested in.  Make sure you know exactly what you want and then look for the best deal.

3.  Compare "discounts" offered to actual retail value of the product to make sure you are actually getting a deal.

4.  Plan your outfit ahead of time to coordinate with the weather report and the time you plan to arrive.  You will need warmer clothes if you plan on arriving before the sun is up for the day.  Comfortable shoes are a must.

5.  Make friends with other shoppers in line.  It will make the time pass by quicker and could be useful if you need to make a bathroom trip.

6.  Take a shopping partner that will not frustrate you.  Taking your significant other or children is likely a bad idea.

7.  Write a list ahead of time detailing what you want to buy and the price range you want to find the item in.  This will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and help you get what you actually want.

8.  Carry the ads you found with you.  This will prevent price disputes and could come in handy in other stores that offer guaranteed lowest-prices. 

9.  Consider the internet.  A lot of online retailers now offer Black Friday discounts, and you can avoid the hassle of early rising and the frustration of a day of crowds.

10.  Realize that you do not have to shop at all on Black Friday.  Many people opt to avoid the crowds or just the materialism associated with a day of shopping.