Some deals are just masquerading as fantastic bargains may not be as good as they seem. We must do our research and avoid being fooled by the hype. For Black Friday 2021, remember:

• Start early. This year, more than ever, do not wait until the last minute to do Black Friday shopping, or the items wanted may be sold out.    

• Shop online. To the extent possible, find deals online since retailers are expected to offer more of the same promotions online as in-store. Free delivery options and ship-to-store with curbside pickup will abound.

• Track prices leading up to Black Friday. It’s impossible to know whether a good deal is a good deal unless without having a clear idea of pre-Black Friday prices.    

• Social media can be a good source of Black Friday deals.

• Create a budget for all Black Friday purchases, then stick to it. Resist impulse buying, especially if there is uncertainty regarding whether the purchase is really a good deal.

• • Parents: When making your budget, be sure to add some extra wiggle room for toys! Since the toy industry is highly reliant on imports (80 percent of toys are made in China), ongoing supply chain disruptions are likely to heavily disrupt toy purchases for Christmas.  

• Don’t forget to ask for gift receipts.

• Using your credit card— Using credit cards for purchases can bring extra warranty coverage for some items, a guaranteed refund for up to 90 days, and sales price protection from some credit card companies. These companies may even refund the difference when a product is marked down further than the price paid.