YOU DON'T NEED TO

An estimated 137 million shoppers will hit the stores Friday through Sunday, according to the National Retail Federation. If you plan to be among them, you'll need stamina to find the best deals. Here's how to deliver a peak performance:

Scan Leaked Ads Online
No need to hold off planning your shopping assault until the official Black Friday ads land on your doorstep with the morning paper on Thanksgiving Day. Plenty are already online at sites like Black Friday@GottaDeal.com, BlackFridayAds.com, Black Friday 2006 and BlackFriday. These sites count on leaked details from retailers and their employees, and closer to the day, on the scanned copies of the actual ads. (Due to regional promotions, you may find some price variation.)

BlackFridayAds.com's scan of a Toys 'R' Us ad, for example, reveals sales of a Spectrum seven-inch portable DVD Player for $69.99 ($30 off), a Hot Wheels Shark Park Playset for $9.89 (50% off) and a Bratz Sweet Dreamz doll for $9.99 (50% off).

Compare Prices
Don't assume that just because an item is on sale at a particular retailer that it's the best deal out there, says Robyn Spizman, author of "The GIFTionary," a gift-buying guide. And to find the best price, don't use any old price comparison engine. We tested the major sites earlier this year, and found that NexTag and PriceGrabber consistently returned the most accurate results and lowest prices. Be sure to factor in shipping and sales tax, when applicable.

You also can compare prices in store, via cellphone. Just dial 1-888-DO-FRUCALL (1-888-36-378-2255) on your cellphone to reach FrucallFor more, see Comparison Shop With Your Phone

Buy Now
Wish you could get the Black Friday steals minus the grab-and-snatch frenzy of the crowds? Actually, you can:

• Presale price drops

  running list

• In-store pickup

• Price adjustments

  It's Not Too Late to Save