Living - My Black Friday Story!

Well, many of you probably already know from my posts that I am NOT a fan of Black Friday shopping.  This year however, my family has been in the process of scoping out a nice deal on a flat screen TV.  It just so happened that one of the deals I could agree to was valid on Black Friday at Walmart.  Yep, the wee hours of the morning too.  The sale was to begin at 12 AM.

We were in Yankton over the holiday and my sister was also pondering going to the 5 AM sale at Kmart and I decided to join her on this shopping trip.  To avoid a useless trip to Walmart and maybe grab a few more winks of sleep that night before going to Kmart, I decided to call Walmart to scope things out.  In calling them, I learned that all of the TVs I was looking to purchase had already been spoken for and tickets had been handed to all of those in line for them.  It was EARLY?!  It was not midnight.  Ugh.  I truly don't understand all the rules that go into this shopping day!

So, slightly bummed I went to bed.  After finishing our fruitless trip to Kmart at 5 AM, my sister and I decided to make a trip to Walmart to check out a couple things.

Now sit down.....

You will never guess what I happened upon......

While strolling through the VERY quiet, calm, line-less, stressless Walmart store at 5:30 AM, we came upon a Walmart employee by electronics pushing a cart with the TV I was hoping to purchase some 5 1/2 hours earlier.  I quietly asked her if it was for sale and she said yes!  The person that had gotten the ticket for this particular TV apparently decided against it once they got to the register and it was being returned to the sales floor.  For me. :-)

Best. Black Friday. Ever.

Telling my disappointed husband about my win when we got home in the morning, priceless!  He was like a kid on Christmas morning when we got home from our trip today.  And the TV quickly found its way out of the box! 

May each of you find your unexpected bargains this holiday shopping season!

Happy Holidays!

Saving - Target Black Friday Ad Sneak Preview!

You can get a sneak peak at the Target Black Friday ad over here.  There look to be a few coupon matchups that will make for even better deals.  So stay tuned.

Saving - Walmart Black Friday Ad!

Are you just a bit curious?  I looked.  Will you?  Here is this year's Black Friday ad from Walmart! 

Now that you've looked...did it get you excited?  Have you made a list?  Or are you looking forward to staying in your warm bed while other crazy-folk scurry around in the madness?  Be honest.

Saving - Black Friday: Reminder Free Coffee Burger King!

All this month, Burger King has been offering free Seattle's Best coffee on Fridays.  This does not exclude Black Friday.  So make sure you stop by for a free cup of coffee to rejuvinate yourself this Friday.  My understanding for Sioux Falls is that they will be open no later than 3 AM by the Mall and Best Buy.

Saving - Black Friday: $.25 Coffee @ Kum N Benefiting Toys For Tots!

If you want a cup of coffee to help warm you up this Friday, you can stop in at Kum N Go and grab a cup for just $.25!  All proceeds will go to help Toys For Tots!

Saving - Gift Card Deals! Newly Added Qdoba & Juice Stop!

New Gift Card Deals:

Qdoba - every $25 purchased you will receive a $5 voucher!

Juice Stop - every $25 gift card purchased, you will receive a $5 bonus! (ONLY Valid Black Friday!)

Previous Deals:

Applebees - Buy $50 in gift cards, get $10 bonus gift card.

Chili's - Buy $100 or more, receive 10% off (verified in Sioux Falls)

Culvers - Buy $20 in gift cards, get a free double deluxe value basket

Famous Dave - Buy $30 in gift cards, receive a free pork sandwich (verified in Sioux Falls)

Fuddruckers - Purchase $25 in gift cards, receive $5 bonus card

Granite City Food & Brewery - Purchase $100 or more, receive 10% bonus card

Johnny Carinos - Purchase $25 in gift cards, receive $5 bonus voucher (verified in Sioux Falls, will start
11/26/10)

Lonestar Steakhouse - Receive 10% off any gift card purchase (verified in Sioux Falls)Nucci's - Buy $50 in gift cards, receive $10 bonus

Old Chicago - Buy $25 in gift cards, receive $5 bonus bucks (not online, but verified with SF 362-8887)

Outback Steakhouse - Buy $100 in gift cards, receive a bonus $20

Qdoba - Buy $25 in gift cards, get a $5 bonus card

Texas Roadhouse - Buy $30 in gift cards, receive $5 bonus and free appetizer or Buy $50 in gift cards get $10 bonus card.  This was advertised in Sioux Falls, couldn't find it online.

Saving - Black Friday: Empire Mall!

For local readers and those traveling to Sioux Falls to shop, you can go over here to check out the Empire Mall details, along with deals found at the in-mall stores.

Saving - Black Friday: K-mart, Michael's, Shopko!

K-Mart

Open: Friday at 5 AM

*Save additional money by being a Shop Your Way Rewards Member by earning points based on the dollars you spend.

*42" Sylvania plasma HDTV $399.99

*All Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Toys Buy 1 Get 1 Free (2-day sale)

*Sylvania 7" Dual-screen portable DVD player $79.99

Michael's

Open: Thursday with doorbusters & 3-day sale

*Crayola Activity Kits 50% off (shows Glow Dome and Crayon Maker)
Submit Crayola Rebate here

*Ott-Lite $17.99

*Kids' 2-in-1 Kits $4.99 (3-day sale)

*In-ad coupon 30% off Entire Purchase, including sale prices Thursday 5 PM - 9 PM

*In-ad coupon 30% off Entire Purchase, including sale prices Friday 5 AM - Noon

See full ad-scan here, thanks to Black-Friday.net.

Shopko

Open: 5 AM Friday

*Toshiba Blu-Ray Player $79.99

*Playstation 3 120 GB $299.99, receive $20 Shopko gift card with purchase (3-day sale)

Saving - Black Friday: Walgreens!

Here is a store ready to skip beat Black Friday and open on Thanksgiving day.  Walgreens has a 3-day ad, starting on Thursday with several great deals.  Check them out below:

Open: 3-day Sale starting on Thanksgiving Day at 9 AM


Below I have listed several deals $.50 or less!  You can see the full ad-scan here thanks to Black-Friday.net

*8x10 Collage Print – use code BFCOLLAGE online

*Planters Nuts $3.49, receive $3.50 rebate (prints at register)

*Gillette Fusion Proseries Skin Care $5.49, receive $5.50 RR

*Nivea for men shave gel $2.99, receive $2.99 RR

*2 Liter soda $.99, receive $.99 RR

*Secret Scent Expressions Body Splash $3.49, receive $3.50 RR

*Advil PM $.99, receive $1 RR

*Just for Men 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner $4.99, receive $5 RR

*Old Spice Fresh Collection Body Spray $3.99, receive $4 RR

*Oral B Indicator Toothbrush $2.25, receive $2.25 RR

*Robitussin To-Go $2.49, receive $2.50 RR

*Scunci Hair Elastics $1.99, receive $2 RR (great stocking stuffer!)

*ThermaCare Heat Wrap (1ct) $2.49, receive $2.50 RR

Herbal Essence Shampoo $2.49, receive $1.50 RR

Use $2/1 Clairol Family product 10/31 P&G or Use $.50/1 11/14 RP or use

= as low as Free

Centrum 30 ct $4.24, receive $3.25 RR

Use $2/1 9/12 or 11/14 RP, here

 or $1/1 10/3 RP

= Free + possible $1 MM

Colgate Total Advanced or Enamel Strength Toothpaste $2.99, receive $3 RR

Use $1/1 11/14 SS

AND Use $1/1 Wags coupon booklet cpn

= Free + $2 MM

Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste $2.99, receive $3 RR

Use $1/1 10/31 P&G

= Free + $1 MM

Bic Soleil Bella or Flex4 Disposable Razor $2.99, receive $2 RR

Use $2/1 cpn here or from Oct All You

= Free + $1 MM

Olay Body Wash $3.40, receive $2.50 RR

Use $1/1 10/31 P&G

= Free

Deal Idea:

Purchase 1 Secret Scent Expressions Body Splash $3.49

1 Olay Body Wash $3.49

use $5 off Olay wyb Secret 10/31 P&G

receive $2.50 & $3.50 RR

= both free + $4 MM

Right Guard $2.99, Receive $2 RR

Use B1G1 Free 10/31 RP

= $.99 for 2

Nivea for Men Shave Gel $2.99, receive $2.99 RR

Use $1/1 10/10 RP

= Free + $1 MM

Theater Pack Candy 2/$1
Use $.99/3 Walgreens Coupon Booklet (in-store)
= $.17 each wyb 3

Saving - Black Friday: Once Upon A Child!

Once Upon A Child is hosting their own Black Friday event from 9 AM - 8 PM.

From 9 AM - 11 AM all items marked are 70% off

From 11 AM - 1 PM all items marked are 60% off

From 1 PM - 3 PM all iems marked are 50% off

From 3 PM - 5 PM all items marked are 40% off

From 5 PM - 8 PM all items marked are 30% off

Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or coupon.

Living - Welcome New Readers & Black Friday Link!

A special welcome to KELO viewers, thanks for stopping by to check out the blog.  I hope that you find the blog helpful.  As you know from the news story on KELO, the current focus is on Black Friday deals.  I have been and will be posting several Black Friday deals and tips until the big day.  And will continue to post everyday bargains and deals following the big day along with ideas for Christmas gift ideas.  Welcome, I hope you will stay!

For those that did not see tonight's story, you can read about it here.

And to everyone, I have added a link to the right side under the 'Favorite Links' column called "Black Friday".  Click here and you will see Black Friday posts or topics.

Can you believe just 34 days until Christmas?! Keep me posted if you find your own deals or have tips that you want to share them with others!  Leave a comment or feel free to email me.

Saving - Black Friday: Target!

Here are the top picks and tips for Target's Black Friday sale!

Open: 4 AM Friday

*Can download a map of doorbuster locations at your store and plan your attack!  Go here.

*From 4-10 AM you can score a $10 Target gift card with any $100 purchase (this includes deals that have gift cards).

*Save an additional 5% off all purchases when you use your Target credit card or debit card!

*Receive $.05 discount with each reuseable grocery bag you bring to use

*iTunes Gift Card Special Purchase: $25 Card for just $20

*8 GB iPod Touch $225, receive $40 gift card for purchase & $10 gift card for purchase of $100 or more
= $185

*4GB XBox 360 Game System $199.99, receive $50 gift card for purchase & $10 gift card for purchase of $100 or more
= $139.99

*Preschool Games $3.99

*Leapster Games $15
Use $5 cpn here
= $10

*Armor All Car Care Gift Set $15

*Pyrex 17-pc Set $19.99
use $1/set 8/22 SS
= $18.99

*Crayola Sound Studio $20
Submit $3 Rebate here
= $17

*Sleep Sets: Girls, Boys, Toddlers $5

You can view the full ad-scan here thanks to Black-Friday.net

Saving - Black Friday: Wal-mart!

Walmart Top Picks and Tips for Black Friday!

Open: Sales starting at Midnight 11/25 and a second sale starting 5 AM 11/26

Top Picks starting at Midnight:
*Nintendo Wii $199 & $50 gift card

*Zhu Zhu Pets $4.99

*Crayola Crayon Maker $15
Submit $3 Rebate here
= $12

*Crayola Glow Board $15
Submit $2 Rebate here
= $13

*Crayola Glow Dome $17
Submit $3 Rebate here
= $14

*Leapster Games $19
Use $5 cpn here
= $15

*Character Sleepwear 2-piece Boys, Girls, Toddler/Infants $4

*Sonicare Essence Electric Toothbrush $37.97
Use $10/1 SS 8/1 or 11/21
Submit $10 Rebate from SS 11/21
= $17.97

Top Picks starting at 5 AM:
*Emerson 32" LCD HDTV 720p $198

*HP 17.3" Dual Core Laptop $398

*Playstation 3 $299, with $10 Bonus Movie Credits

See full ad-scan here thanks to Black-Friday.net

Saving - Black Friday: Toys R Us!

Toys R Us - Black Friday Ad Picks & Tips:

Open: 10 PM - Thanksgiving Day

*If you are not yet signed up as a Rewards R Us Member, you can do so online or in store.  Now through 12/24/10, Rewards R Us Members will earn 10% back on their purchases.  So, if you spend $50, that's $5 back.  Spend $100, that's $10 back!

*Free 64 ct Crayola Crayons and Color Book 10 PM door buster with any purchase

*Thomas & Friends Wooden Station Set, sale $12.49
use $10/1 cpn from November Parenting, Early Years or Family Fun magazines)
=$2.49

*Select Play-Doh Sets $7.99

*Hot Wheels 32-Piece Track Pack $12.49

*Several other 50-60% off items.  See full Ad-scan thanks to Black-Friday.net.

Saving - Black Friday Electronics Comparison List & Top 15 List!

Below is a listing of different stores offering similar products and a price comparison.  This is only meant to give you an overview of popular electronics on sale on Black Friday and available in store.  You will want to consider brands, added bonuses, return policies, etc.  

You can view the full ad-scans for these businesses here. Simply scroll down and pick the business name along the right-hand side.

Electronic	Game Stop	Kmart	Walmart	Best Buy	Target	Shopko	Radio Shack
Wii	$199.99*	$199.99	$249.00	$169.99	?	$199.99*
Xbox 360 4GB	$199.99	$199.99	$199.00*	$199.99*	$149.99**	?	$189.99***
PlayStation 3 160 GB	$299.99	$299.99	$299.00	$299.99*	$299.99	?	$299.99
Dual Portable DVD	n/a	$79.99	?	?	$85.00	?
32" Flat Screen TV	n/a	$329.99	$198.00	$327.99	$327.99	$269.99	$279.99
Blu-Ray Disc Player	n/a	$99.99	$94.00	$59.99	$99.99	$99.99	$119.99

*Bonus with item purchased
**$199.99, receive $50 Gift Card with purchase - also note receive additional $10 overall purchase gift card with Target's $100 purchase deal
***$199.99, receive $10 gift card

Also for a listing of the top 15 items for Black Friday shopping, check out this article here.