Frugal Family: Tips for Getting Ready for Black Friday

The following five tips will help you navigate Black Friday while keeping your sanity and feelings of good cheer.

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is the busiest shopping day of the year in the United States. It is a bargain hunter’s dream starting at the crack of dawn (or before). As much fun as it may be, Black Friday can also be stressful and not for the faint of heart. This week Frugal Family shows you how to maximize and enjoy this kick-off to the holiday season. We also did some research to identify the best deals so you won’t be camping out at the wrong stores. The following five tips will help you navigate the day while keeping your sanity and feelings of “Good Cheer." 1. Make a game plan that includes a shopping list and budget. It should include names, sizes and preferences of those you give gifts to along with the amount you plan …

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Speak Out: Christmas Shopping Starting Too Early?

Want a great deal? You may have to spend part of your Thanksgiving to get it. Tell us what you think about retailers pushing the start of the holiday shopping season onto Turkey Day.

Looking to grab some great Black Friday deals? Better be prepared to scarf down the turkey and put away the pumpkin pie quickly. It’s becoming a tradition for the holiday shopping season to start well before the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone. But your holiday food might still be warm by the time retailers offer the first “Black Friday” deal. Take, for example, Walmart. The retailer is rolling out its first Black Friday deals Thursday—that’s Thanksgiving night—at 8 p.m. Not to be outdone, Target is inviting customers to grab its Black Friday deals at 9 p.m. Thursday. The early deals means those hoping to save money during their holiday shopping will be spending part of another holiday heading to stores, fighting the crowds and waiting in …

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Don't Get Caught Holding the Gift

The BBB offers tips on Black Friday shopping to ensure you don't get caught with a gift someone doesn't want, and one you can't exchange.

Shopping List? Check! Credit cards? Check! Cash? Check? Car keys? Check! Now that you're ready to head out to join fellow shoppers in crowded malls on Black Friday, do you have everything you need? The Better Business Bureau suggests you give yourself an early gift before joining the frenzied masses—the gift of knowledge. In a press release, the BBB said this knowledge could save time, frustration and, most importantly, money. “Consumers should know that in the state of Georgia companies are allowed to establish their own policies regarding refunds, exchanges and store credits,” the press release reads. “In many firms, no such policies exist. No company is required by law to allow a customer the right to return or exchange merchandise no …

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The Do's and Don'ts of Black Friday

Have your own suggestions on how to survive the upcoming shopping frenzy? Add them in the comments.

Thanksgiving may be the great feast day, but for many, it’s the day after that has moms celebrating. Black Friday carries the anticipation of getting your entire Christmas list knocked out cheaply and efficiently in one day.  Or maybe not. I’ve had successful and unsuccessful Black Fridays, and trust me, to get the former, you need to strategize. Here are some tips to remember before hitting the aisles: 1. Gather all the pertinent information you need to effectively shop. Who needs a gift? What are their preferences? Where do they shop?   2. When it comes to clothing, what are their sizes, favorite colors and most complementary styles? (It's not a good idea to get a caftan for someone who should be wearing straight lines.) 3. When it comes…

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Frugal Family

November is the Best Time to Buy…

Marietta Patch provides a selection of great bargains for the whole family each Wednesday morning. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us stretch our dollars.

This column is dedicated to giving you at least five great local deals each week that will help your family's bottom line, and since we do the scouting for you, you can save time as well as money. Remember when the Christmas season began the day after Thanksgiving? That time is long gone. With a sluggish economy, retailers’ holiday sales have already begun in full force. You can now skip the frenzy of those last minutes sales, save money and your sanity, and actually enjoy the holidays—if you shop smart. According to consumer reports, now is a perfect time to buy the following: Electronics: Hands down, the best month to buy electronics is in November. Specifically, Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and Cyber Monday offer the best …

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