This year, Black Friday is starting earlier than ever. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, when prices are low so that companies can get profit and hopefully be more in the black (making a profit) than in the red (no profit).  Many stores are actually starting the sales on Thanksgiving.  Kmart is opening the same time as last year- 6:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving!  Best Buy is opening at 5:00 p.m. and Walmart at 6:00 p.m.  What ever happened to actually spending time with family on Thanksgiving?  On Black Friday though, GameStop is opening at 12:00 a.m. and Home Depot and Lowe’s at 5:00 a.m.

Are these deals really worth it?  Is it worth wasting Thanksgiving for Kmart deals?  Is it worth getting up at 1:00 a.m. to wait in line, for items that you may not get to in time?

We’ve all been there.  Retailers lure us in with unavoidable displays and shout “Buy this stuff!”  Retailers have been doing this for weeks, but now that Black Friday is close at hand and holiday shopping is about to get real, make sure the choices you make are wise!  The clock is ticking, the stakes are high, and the time has come for making unwise purchases, especially with electronics.

Tatanisha Worthey, editor and owner of http://www.clickondetroit.com, said that Black Friday shopping can be fun with friends and you can get great deals, but she says, “Thanksgiving is a day to remember and be thankful. Spending the day away from your family to shop is not what the day is all about. The fights, greed, and drama that often occurs during these sales is not very representative of the spirit of thanks.”

She also states that doing online shopping can be easier, and you can get the same price. There is no need to get out of your comfy pajamas!

The advertised deals you see aren’t really deals at all. You’re being manipulated!  Retailers strategically place attractive displays of cool gadgets around their stores with really low price tags.  Since these displays are stocked with merchandise that appeals to nearly everyone, you begin to think “Oh, that would be perfect for [insert name here]!”  You snag the gift, satisfied with your thoughtfulness, but in reality, you’ve really just thrown your money away.  Caleb Denison, author of www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/are-black-friday-deals-worth-it/, says “Cheap stuff is usually cheap. I went to buy a pair of Bluetooth speakers thinking they wouldn’t be that bad. They were awful. If the difference between the least expensive model and the next one up is only $20, spend the extra money.”

Here are some tips to remember on your Black Friday shopping adventure.  Even the big stuff can disappoint.  You get what you pay for.  Brands you’ve never heard of or are only familiar with for making cheap products are bad.  Also, if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.  The cheapest model of even a popular brand is rarely a good deal.  Do your research!  Finally, remember to think twice before you rush into that bargain bin!

Hopefully your Thanksgiving is really fun, and if you go Black Friday shopping, good luck!