Any veteran bargain-hunter will tell you that shopping on Black Friday isn't about winning the battles. It's about winning the war. You won't be able to get every deal you desire, but as long as you save some big bucks on even a couple of items, you can consider it a victory.

Here are five guidelines that will help maximize your a.m. shopping potential:

Scout, scout, scout

Black Friday ads come in the newspaper almost every day leading up to Thanksgiving nowadays, so tracking all of them can be difficult. Luckily, one Web site dedicates itself to doing this job for you. Blackfriday.info posts leaked ads and lists each item and its price by category (electronics, jewelry, home, etc.).

"You don't have to wait for the Thursday paper anymore to get a lead on the leads," says Yahoo tech blogger Dory Devlin.

For those who like to stay in their warm beds on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Web sites like PriceGrabber.com and shopping.yahoo.com also are helpful in comparing the prices of items at various online stores.

Keep in mind, too, that some items may be found at lower prices on eBay and Craigslist.

Know your store

Realizing how crucial it is for Black Friday bargain-hunters to familiarize themselves with the stores they plan to visit, Target implemented a few new policies.

When the doors open at 5 a.m. Friday morning, the first 500 shoppers who enter will be given a free reusable shopping bag and a map that directs shoppers to the store's doorbuster items.

"It's something we do that's unique," says Eli Brooks, manager of the St. Joseph Target store. "We try to make it a great experience for everyone, and things like those maps really help reduce the level of franticness."

Another plus for Target shoppers will be the store's new Black Friday ad-matching policy. If another store runs out of a particular product, Target will sell customers the same product for the same price. Wal-Mart now offers a similar price-matching policy. And some stores, such as Best Buy, have price-matching policies that they suspend on Black Friday. The smartest thing to do is check the store's Web site or call in advance to find out each location's return and price-matching policies.

Mr. Brooks says it's also wise to call and ask questions about lines and inventory. Mr. Brooks says customers usually start lining up outside of Target at about midnight every year, but the bulk come between 2 and 3 a.m. He says the electronics will go the fastest.

"We definitely have large, large quantities, but it doesn't matter how many you have. You'd still sell out," he says.

Be smart with your

budget

Sometimes shoppers think deals are too good to pass up. Most of the time, they should anyway.

Never buy an item because of the price tag. Always buy out of necessity. Ask yourself, "When would I use this?" "Would I get bored with this after two or three times?" "Is it already outdated?" "Am I merely infatuated with the colors?"

An even better way to stop unnecessary spending is to make a budget list.

"The shopper should make a list of family members and friends for whom they are planning to purchase gifts and have a dollar limit set for each person," says Dr. Rebecca J. Travnichek, family financial education specialist for the University of Missouri Extension office in Andrew County. "Then use the ads to identify specific gifts for their list of individuals. Stick to the list and the dollar limit."

Shop like a secret agent

(if possible)

The old saying "survival of the fittest" fittingly applies to Black Friday. Deal-hungry shoppers almost always encounter a few elbows and shoulder thrusts. But with some wily maneuvering, you can go home with your desired gifts without the slew of deep bruises.

Please avert your eyes now, store managers and employees.

Twitter has become a great new Black Friday tool for tech-savvy smartphone owners. The account at twitter.com/blackfriday gives real-time information about new deals and what stores have run out of select products. Turning on SMS alerts also can be helpful on the biggest shopping day of the year.

You don't need a smartphone, however, to pull off this old trick. Megastores provide lots of hiding places for smaller items, where you can make your choices ahead of time or keep your purchases safe until you can come back to the store when the line is shorter. Let's face it, refrigerators, washers and dryers aren't exactly Tickle Me Elmo popular around the holidays, and most of the employees will be too distracted by the Black Friday chaos to go around checking ice boxes for Blu-ray copies of "Braveheart."

Health before wealth

Last but not least, your well-being is most important. Buying that generously priced iPod Touch might require a mad dash. Getting a good deal on a digital camera may come after hours of waiting in line in the cold. Either way, you should be prepared.

Remember to wear shoes in which you can comfortably stand for long periods of time. For this reason and for mobility purposes, tennis shoes are probably the best option.

Staying warm and hydrated also is important. Standing, running and walking can wear on your body. So can the cold. This may seem like a no-brainer, but bring blankets, coats and plenty of cocoa if you're planning to stand in line for longer than a half-hour.

Lifestyles reporter Shea Conner can be reached at sheaconner@npgco.com