It's the time of the year again when discounts galore awaits shoppers. But are you ready for this year's Black Friday shopping?

We have listed below some tips, where to shop, the best deals and bargains to allow you to survive this great discount madness! Here is our Ultimate Shopping Guide on Black Friday.

Black Friday is all about shopping and great deals. However, over the years, Black Friday has evolved also to mean a time for family bonding. The Black Friday retail event allows moms and daughters to go shopping together to hunt for the best holiday deals and afterward spend some time together over lunch. Father and sons are known to have line up at specialty stores to shop for outdoor equipment while friends also get together to spend some shopping time.

In these moments, families and friends are spending time together and making memories.

Black Friday is about family for online shoppers too. The convenience of online shopping allows shoppers to spend more time with their families at home (while they still snag some amazing deals).

Black Friday Store Openings And Ad Leaks

Everybody knows about Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But, did you know there are even more special shopping days? It's true! There's Gray Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), Small Business Saturday (after Black Friday), Green  Monday (the second Monday in December), and Super Saturday (the last Saturday before Christmas).

In addition to these shopping days, you'll find that holiday sales start after Halloween and last until Christmas.  We know this is a lot of information, but don't feel overwhelmed. Just stick with us throughout the holiday Season (not just for Black Friday) and we'll guide you every step of the way.

Plan Your Black Friday (In-Store And Online)

Nothing beats a prepared shopper on Black Friday. We are listing tips on how you can plan ahead your shopping on his wonderful season. The first thing you can do is to start looking at Black Friday ad leaks early to see which retailers have the best prices on the items you want.

It also helps to make a list of the items you are looking for and the stores that offer the best deal for the items you want. You can also use BlackFriday.com's Wishlist tool so you can track which stores offer the best price for the items on your wish list. But most importantly, stick to your list and do not go astray.

Planning for In-Store Shopping

If you plan to do in-store shopping, visit the store before the sales start to see where items will be located. Many stores like Walmart and Target will place items in unusual places. Stores don't do this to be mean; they're just trying to control the lines.

But, before you head out, consider bringing the following items: Reusable shopping bags because a shopping cart is very difficult to find on Black Friday. A reusable shopping bag is your "best friend" on Black Friday. Coupon. Some retailers offer coupons that you can use when you make a purchase. Store maps. Well, a store map will come in handy so you will be able to navigate your way into the various sales.

Planning for Online Shopping

For the cyber-shoppers who want to avoid the crowd, check out online deals during the week of Black Friday and Cyber Week. The most common start times for online Black Friday deals are Midnight and 5:00-6:00 am. Make sure you know when your sales start. If you see something you want online, put it in your cart now. When the sale goes live, you can get it before it's gone. To maximize your savings, check with your favorite stores to see if they offer free shipping or in-store pickup.