Black Friday deals starting sooner
We already told you that there are crazy bargains to be had thanks to the crummy economy.
Well. Retailers are so desperate for our dollars that they are even starting their Black Friday deals early. One market analyst told the Associated Press that the major post-Thanksgiving shopping day would be gray, not black, as a result. Either option would be better for retailers than red.
"I think in the next week or so, you're going to see more retailers release their products early for people to purchase to help take advantage of the anticipation shoppers have for Black Friday," Jon Vincent, a BlackFriday.info spokesman, told me in an e-mail.
That's cool news for shoppers who are watching their budgets but really don't want to put up with mall madness while they are still stuffed with turkey.
Yahoo's Techie Diva offers some tips on sites that tell you all about the bargains, some already in motion, others coming to stores near you Nov. 28: BlackFriday.info, Bargainist.com, DealTaker.com, BFads.net and TheBlackfriday.com. I checked them out, and they seem like a helpful way to start comparison shopping and to map out your Black Friday game plan.
~ Deal Diva Colleen
Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or 
Since she was a little girl Nicole Hutcheson dreamed of dressing like a Vogue cover girl. But her reality was more JCPenney catalog. The fact only honed her better ability to find luxury for less. Always on the hunt for markdowns on designer labels, this Deal Diva’s weaknesses are good jeans and killer heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8828 or 
Colleen Jenkins learned two invaluable shopping tenets from her mom: 1. Buy quality. 2. Get it on sale. Then she added one of her own: Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! This Deal Diva’s idea of a blissful Saturday includes a trip to the Ellenton outlet mall. She loves mixing classic with trendy and cheap Target accessories with her markdown Banana Republic duds. She can be reached at (813) 226-3337 or 
A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or 
That's another GREAT idea Houston.... I agree totally.
Posted by: Carol | November 20, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Carol, How about boycotting foreign goods. BUY AMERICAN. WE DON"T MAKE ANYTHING?? nevermind.
Posted by: Houston | November 19, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Maybe if we tried to accentuate the religious aspect of Christmas, and keep gifting to a minimum? I agree that gifting has gotten out of hand, as has the commercialization of Christmas. Remember that the holiday is for children and loved ones (read: immediate family), and just celebrate the holidays accordingly.
Have a great holiday season!
Posted by: Jimmy Mack | November 19, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Hey Carol .. That might fly in a perfect world but not in a world with kids and grandkids ... I can see me trying to explain to my 4 year old granddaughter we are protesting the rising prices this year and Santa didn't visit ... I had better results the year I told my kids " No Santa this year . He went down in a snowstorm over Albuquerque N.M. " yeah right !!!!!!!!
Posted by: Tim | November 19, 2008 at 04:59 PM
In light of todays economic crisis, everyone should take a stand and NOT SPEND ANY MONEY ON GIFTS this holiday season. Retailers raised prices when gas was so, so high due to all the extra freight costs. And I don't blame them for that. They have to make ends meet just like the rest of us!! ..........Well they have not and will not be lowering prices back to what they were, even though the fuel costs have plummeted. STOP SPENDING YOUR MONEY WITH THEM!!! This would force retailers to bring back their prices from a year ago - just like they should. Time for society to learn what the true meanings of Thanksgiving & Christmas really are. Take charge of your own destiny people. Don't be driven like a puppet on a string.
Posted by: Carol | November 19, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Here is a more complete listing of Black Friday Ads, deals, and coupons:
http://www.daddyodeals.com/phpBB/black-friday-2008-ads-black-friday-rumors-black-friday-2008-flyers-black-friday-deals-cyber-monday-2008-f26.html
Posted by: TinAB | November 19, 2008 at 10:55 AM