Stay up late, battle the lines, walk away with exactly what you wanted at prices that are only available once a year.  Black Friday in-store shopping can be both a feat and a thrill.  One of my favorite annual Black Friday traditions is waiting in line outside Sports Authority to get a free Sports Authority gift card.  I love that I get paid to wait in line and I can use the free gift card to pay next-to-nothing for my Black Friday Sports Authority purchase.

How It Works.  If you are one of the first 80 people (age 18 or older) who enter your local Sports Authority store on Black Friday you’ll get a special Sports Authority gift card worth $10-$500!  Doors open at midnight (which is HOURS earlier than past years) so be sure to plan ahead!

Before I get my hands on the free Sports Authority gift card, I like to have in mind what I will spend the free money on.  After all, the Black Friday Sports Authority Bonus Bucks are only valid on Black Friday and I don’t want to waste a free gift card.

Browse the ad, mark it up.  You might want to circle things like…

Fitness footwear.  Your kids need new running, soccer, or hiking shoes.  Your husband wants new golf shoes.  You want new walking shoes.  Get everyone new athletic shoes and save some serious cash by getting in on Sports Authority’s BOGO 50% off Black Friday sale.  Footwear for the whole family is marked down.  Get one pair at full price and get the second pair at half off.  Get two pairs at full price and get two pairs at half off.  The bigger your family or the more pairs of shoes you buy, the more you’ll save.  Stack Sports Authority’s Black Friday Shoe Sale with savings unlocked with Bonus Bucks (the free gift card) AND when paying with Sports Authority discount gift cards and you’ll save yourself at least an additional $10 + 15%.

Basketball, Football, Yoga Ball, Tennis Ball.  You name the activity.  As long as it needs a ball, you’re in luck.  No paying full price for you.  All balls are half off.  Balls are a fun stocking stuffer and also an oddly shaped gift to wrap.  Keep your family entertained for hours and active by replacing a worn out volleyball or getting your son more tee balls.  Increase Sports Authority’s 50% off Ball Sale by another 15% off when you pay with a discount Sports Authority gift card.

Sleeping Gear.  Round out or start your family’s camping gear or your husband’s hunting gear.  Sleeping bags are as low as $11.99 ($10.19 if you pay with discount Sports Authority gift cards!)!  Air mattresses for sleeping outdoors or hosting in-town guests are under $60 ($51 if you pay with discount gift cards!).