Shopping after Thanksgiving is a long standing holiday tradition. Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) was the premier day to rush to the malls and , fight the crowds, and try to save money.

However, since the Internet has become such a phenomenon, there are some important reasons why Cyber Monday (Internet shopping on the Monday after Thanksgiving) is surpassing sales for holiday shopping.

• Who wants to fight the crowds for that special gift you have been eyeing, but maybe not even get one because the store ran out early?

• Does dragging around multiple shopping bags around for hours sound exciting? Not quite.

• Many individuals have actually been injured or mugged on Black Friday by very desperate people.

If you are familiar with the “experience” of shopping on Black Friday, but haven’t tried shopping the internet way on the next Monday, here are some tips to not only survive the experience and get all the products and gifts you really want, but to save lots of money, too!

1. Start shopping early to get the best available deals. If you can manage it, get up and start shopping shortly after midnight on Cyber Monday. Why not, since you can shop comfortably in bed in your PJ’s (or in nothing at all!)

Many of the best deals and limited supply products pop up at the early wee hours. Otherwise, you may be disappointed if you miss that special something that you had your heart set on.

2. Make sure you plan your purchases and pre-shop cyber . There is nothing more frustrating than purchasing something you really wanted to get the best price on, just to find out that it was $100.00 cheaper, and with free shipping, at a competitor.

Make a list of your planned purchases and check out the regular prices before Cyber Monday. Also make sure to check advertisements, coupons, promotional emails, and the websites themselves for any pre-information regarding what deals they will be featuring.

3. Don’t bust your budget by buying unneeded or impulse purchases. It is so easy to get caught up with the thrill of great cyber deal shopping that many people overdo the buying, to the great detriment of their bank account.

It is imperative that you set a budget beforehand and keep track of the total balance of your purchases. Otherwise, buyer’s remorse and lots of financial pain and suffering can be in your future.

4. Watch out for hackers, scams, and fraudsters. With Cyber Monday now a multi-billion dollar spending spree, everyone needs to take extra precautions to protect themselves against the inevitable hackers, scams and fraudsters who prey on naïve shoppers.

They are out in full force during that time. Use a credit card instead of a debit card to insure more fraud protection.

5. Don’t just think about buying Christmas and holiday gifts. If you spot a great deal on items that you will need in the future, such as birthday gifts, weddings, or other special occasions, you may not find a better deal than on Cyber Monday.

Want that new large screen television that was always out of reach? This may be your big chance to finally own and enjoy it.

Cyber Monday begins this year on November 28 at 12 a.m. sharp. Heed these tips and you are sure to have a stress free, profitable and above all, safe experience.