By Ruth Haesemeyer
rhaesemeyer@neighborsgo.com

Laura Thornquist knows how to save. The Flower Mound resident is the author of a savings blog and confesses to being “hooked” on frugality.

She took a moment between bloging about bargains to share a few of her Black Friday tactics with neighborsgo.

Ngo: How do you start your Black Friday?

Laura: 2:30 a.m., cup of coffee, hair pulled back and sweats on! Oh yeah, checkbook and credit cards.
 
Q. Do you make a specific plan?

A. Yes, I plan out my shopping trip store by store. I’ve reviewed the Black Friday ads well before Thanksgiving and build my “wish” list of goodies that Santa needs to bring.
 
Q. Do you shop with friends or alone? Why?

A. I shop alone because Black Friday is meant for the “serious” shopper who knows what they need. In-and-out type of shopping, not a relaxing, browsing type situation.
 
Q. Do you try to hit special sales?

A. Whatever is top on my Christmas Wish List is the store I go to first to make sure I get the “deal”. After that, I go to the store that is offering the largest incentive, whether it’s a gift card, freebie or discount.
 
Q. What are your top three tips for survival?

A. • Have a plan in place before heading out the door.

• Give yourself a timeline: 4-5:30 a.m. shop at Kohl’s, 6-6:45 a.m. Target. If you are stuck in lines, decide how badly you need the product and if it’s worth losing out on other good deals. (Personally, Kohl’s lines were so bad last year I left and came back and still got the deal to keep my schedule in place.)

• Have coffee, or whatever you need to wake you up, and a smile … remember, you’re saving a ton, so you should feel good!
 
Q. Do you plan to use social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) to keep up with what’s going on this Black Friday?

A. Yes, I have too … I’m a blogger!
 
Q. What’s your worst Black Friday memory?

A. My husband going shopping with me! All he would do is complain!
 
Q. Do you have any other advice for Black Friday shoppers?

A. If the store runs out of product, remember you always have Cyber Monday!
 
Q. Heading into the holidays (after Black Friday), how do you get the best deals?

A. Study and follow savings blogs … it’s what they do for a living!

Q. What do you want for Christmas?

A. A vacation …