I do have some Black Friday strategies that I’ve shared in prior years but I’ve listed below just the basics:

1. Preview the ads as early as possible and compare current prices to sale prices. Sometimes you can get the item at the Black Friday price now, which would make it a lot easier than trying to fight the shopping crowds on that day.

2. Know the store policies on price guarantees, returns, refunds, and price matching. Price matching is a very popular method of maximizing one’s dollars in the Black Friday sales. You’ll also want to find out if you can purchase an item prior to Black Friday and get a refund of the difference if the price on Black Friday is lower.

3. Check to see if the store will make their Black Friday sale prices available online as well. Why bother to go wait in the line at the store (and fight for a parking spot) when you can order the same item at the same price from the comfort of your home.

4. Look for items that people have hidden on the morning of Black Friday. I know it sounds crazy but people like to “hide” items ahead of time to ensure they will snag what they want come Black Friday. I’ve found the same thing to be true during Target’s clearance times. The most popular hiding places are in the bedding, housewares, and furniture departments. I once found an Oneida stainless steel flatware set (that had gone on clearance to 75% off) hidden between the boxes of bookshelves in the furniture department.

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You know the dinner I’m talking about: the one with all of the fixings. A traditional turkey dinner includes a gorgeous baked turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls, candied yams, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. While your family may have its own version of this dinner, you can’t argue that it’s an important part of your family’s celebration.

Even on a tight budget, you can provide the ideal Thanksgiving dinner for your family. You already know how to cut corners in your day-to-day grocery shopping. You may even be an expert at it by now. The last thing you want to do, however, is skimp on things that will make your dinner a less tasteful version of the real thing. Follow these tips to keep your turkey dinner within a reasonable budget without sacrificing this great meal.

Shop ahead of time. This means that you will have to have your menu planned ahead of time. This probably isn’t a problem at Thanksgiving, however, since you prepare the same meal every year. Shopping ahead for non-perishable components of your meal will allow you to take advantage of any great sales at your local grocery store. Canned vegetables and stuffing mix will last quite awhile in your pantry stockpile.

Skip the side dishes that no one eats. As I was growing up, my mom always made green bean casserole and traditional green beans. No one ate the casserole, but she always felt like she “had” to make it. You could save money and preparation time by getting rid of the items that no one enjoys and focusing your efforts on the dishes that really contribute to your meal.

Share the load. Now, I’m sure you don’t want to farm out responsibility for baking the actual turkey. However, maybe your cousin Suzie makes a mean dish of mashed potatoes. Why not call her and tell her how much you’d love for your turkey to share the table with her special dish? She’ll probably be honored that you love her dish so much.

Scale back on your quantities. Of course, you want to have plenty of food for everyone. You don’t, however, need to be eating turkey for two weeks after Thanksgiving. A more appropriately-sized bird or side dishes, can help you save money without changing your menu at all

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Check out these great meal ideas to add a little zest to your November evenings:

Sloppy Joes – Nothing is as hearty and satisfying as good old-fashioned sloppy joe sandwiches. Simply mix the sloppy joe seasoning with some browned ground hamburger. Then, build your sandwich on hamburger or hot dog buns. Even your pickiest family member will love sloppy joe night.

Home-made Quesadillas – Normally enjoyed at many different restaurants, quesadillas are easy to make and customize in the comfort of your own kitchen. Begin by layering cheese and browned pieces of chicken or beef into a flour tortilla. Add peppers, onions, or spices to your own tastes. Then warm the concoction in your oven until the cheese is melted. If these tasty treats don’t keep the cold away, nothing will.

Baked Spuds – Oversized-potatoes dressed with bacon bits, cheese, and any other goodies that you like can be used to create a warm, comforting dinner. You can buy large potatoes inexpensively during almost any season. Then, choose your toppings according to the grocery stores’ sales. Bake the potato, split it open with a knife and heap on the extras.

Spaghetti & Meatballs – What family doesn’t love pasta? Spaghetti is an easy to make, low-budget favorite on everyone’s list. Simply boil pasta to build a base for this Italian entrée. Roll tiny hamburger patties into small balls and brown them to add meatballs to your meal. Now all you need is a jar of your family’s favorite sauce, bought during a sale, of course.

Tacos – Another dinner idea that allows you to put your family’s own spin on your dinner plans is making tacos. Choose hard or soft shells depending upon your preference, or price. Brown hamburger and add all of the fixings you like. If your family enjoys things on the spicier side of life, don’t forget to add a packet of taco seasoning to your meat.

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While there is no definite recipe for finding real bargains, there are some definite patterns in bargain shopping. By taking note of these trends, you may be able to avail yourself of some deals to help you with your shopping endeavors.

Black Friday – Okay, I know it’s clichéd, but sometimes there’s an element of truth behind clichés. The Friday after Thanksgiving can be the source of some great bargains for holiday shoppers. That doesn’t mean, however, that everything on sale that day is a bargain. Remember to compare your pre-made shopping list to the special offers on that day. Then, plan to get up early and do some power shopping. With some determination (and possibly some backup help) you should be able to snag some great buys.

The Week Before Christmas – It seems unfair to those of us who plan our holidays weeks in advance, but the week before Christmas can offer a ton of sales, especially if retailers are experiencing sluggish sales. Shopping procrastinators can take advantage of these offers if they’re willing to wait and face the hordes to finish their shopping. You should note, though, that you may have to have alternative gift ideas for the folks on your gift list; popular items can be sold out by this time of year.

The Week After Christmas – While it may be too late to get gifts for Christmas after the holiday has passed, the week after Christmas is a great time to stock up on supplies for next year’s festivities. I’ve also been able to take advantage of these specials for gifts that I don’t exchange until family gatherings after the holidays. No one ever had to know that I waited until the last minute to do my shopping, and I was able to get much better gifts for my family.

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Fall Colors – Anything that features fall or harvest-themed colors will be featured in clearance sales by the time October rolls around. Look beyond the fall theme to see the actual item. Maybe you know a young engaged couple who is getting married in the summer. If they enjoy warm reds or oranges, you could take advantage of sales and purchase a nice baking dish in one of these colors for their wedding gift.

Halloween Costumes – As Halloween gets closer, costumes just get cheaper and cheaper. If your child isn’t picky about his costume, you can get a great buy on one just before the holiday. Don’t forget about dress-up clothes either; those bargain-priced princess costumes will make perfect gifts for the little princess in your family.

Open-Box Appliances – As new appliances are making their way to sales floors, stores will need to get rid of their old display models. Look for steals at your local department store or specialty stores like Circuit City or Best Buy. Many times, these display models will still have all of the benefits of a full warranty with a greatly diminished price tag.

Tires – Getting your car prepared for winter is slightly easier on your pocketbook when you take advantage of sales at tire retailers. Be sure to call several stores to check prices before committing to one; you can be sure you’ll find at least one sale in your phone list.

Jewelry – Almost any season that doesn’t include a major gift-giving holiday will feature more moderately-priced jewelry. As the holidays get closer you can bet that the stores will raise their prices, so shop early if jewelry is on your shopping list.

Outdoor Accessories or Lighting - If you’ve always dreamed of twinkle lights hovering over your patio or enjoying a glass of ice tea while sitting on a pretty outside bench, this is your time of year. Delving through the remaining stock at hardware stores, furniture retailers, or department stores is sure to reveal a bargain or two that you’ll be able to enjoy next spring.

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The easiest way to scrounge up $100 is to sell something. Take a look around your attic, garage, or basement. Is there something there that you don’t need or use anymore? Websites like eBay or Craig’s list make it easy to find new homes for your unwanted items.

If you have more time than you have possessions, a part-time job might be the fastest way to build up your savings. Working one or two nights a week will reward you with a pleasant break from your routine and some nice pocket change.

Since a part-time job isn’t a viable option for everyone’s schedule, you may opt to do some “odd jobs” to fund your savings account. The range of tasks you could do range from everything to babysitting, mowing yards, weeding gardens, and even cleaning houses. Once you let people know that you’re interested in taking on some extra work, you’ll be surprised how many different opportunities you’ll find.

If you don’t have time or possessions to help you pad your savings account, a little creative cash management will still help you realize your goal. Make a game out of your spending habits. You could try making a rule that every $5 bill that makes its way to your wallet is destined to go to your piggy bank. Never spend them. If that doesn’t sound doable for you, try something smaller like saving change. You’ll be surprised at how quickly the change will grow to a substantial amount.

Making a short-term sacrifice is one alternative route to reaching your savings goals. Cut one regular item out of your budget: your morning trip to Starbucks or your favorite snack. However, you must take the money you would have spent each day on your treat and place it into your piggy bank. In no time at all, your sacrifice will pave the way to your goal.

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The added pressure of making room for holiday gift-giving in a family’s budget can be very great. With mortgages, utilities, and average living expenses all vying for their place in your budget, you may have trouble finding room for luxuries like gift giving.

Alternatively, you don’t want to be known among your family and friends as being the one who ruins the fun of gift giving for everyone. Participating in holiday gift exchanges is a fun party of any holiday celebration. Why should you miss out on the good times?

Before you resign yourself to giving up all of the fun that comes with gifting, consider utilizing one of several gift giving strategies in your holiday plans. By controlling the costs of your gifting, you can enjoy the best of the holidays without suffering the after-effects of overspending.

One of the biggest drains on a gift giving budget is often large groups. For instance, in our family, exchanging gifts with each of the adult brothers and sisters can become quite an ordeal. Why not suggest that you draw names and assign each member of the group the responsibility of shopping for one other member? Now, you’ll have the time to really select an appropriate gift for everyone on your shopping list. I’ll warrant that other people in your family will be relieved at the shortening of their shopping list, too.

If the idea of not getting a gift for each of your friends and family members appalls you, there is another way to keep your holiday budget in check. You can always opt to set a spending limit within the group. If everyone is on the same page regarding their gift giving budgets, no one will be caught spending an amount t hat can be conceived as too frugal or too extravagant. Now, the focus will be more on finding the best gift you can at a reasonable price.

Finally, one other way to keep the cost of your gift giving within the confines in your budget is to simply focus your gift giving upon specific parts of your family. Some families may opt to give gifts from one branch of the family to another. Giving family gifts allow you to shop for all of your relatives without spending too much. Another popular option is to only give gifts to the children in your family. After all, part of the magic of Christmas is watching children enjoy the revelry.

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How many of us follow the washing instructions on our clothing to the letter? If we did, it could save us money. Clothing lasts longer when it is properly cared for.

To save money, sometimes you have to spend money. Invest in good quality clothing. Items that are well made will cut clothing costs in the long run.

Durable clothes do not have to be purchased from high end stores with large price tags. Consignment shops and thrift stores also sell good quality clothing. You will have to take the time to look for them, but the deals that you find will be well worth it.

Store your clothing properly. Wire hangers are no good for sweaters or fine fabrics. Instead, purchase plastic or satin covered hangers. Wire hangers can rust and leave stains on your clothing that the other hangers will not.

Be careful about storing certain fabrics in cleaning bags. Silk and wool clothing need to breathe. Plastic storage and dry-cleaning bags do not allow for that.

If you need to store your clothing, use garment bags and other storage devices. If your closet is cramped, storage boxes can be used to store sweaters and seasonal clothing when you don’t need them. Shoes can also be stored in shoe boxes or over-the-door shoe hangers to avoid clutter.

If you do get a stain on your clothes, treat it as quickly as you can. This will keep the apparel from being damaged. Wash the items by hand so the stain will not set in and then launder as usual.

Try not to buy too many trendy clothes. They are more expensive, and when the fashion fades, you will be left with items that you won’t want to wear anymore. Purchase outfits that are more practical and not attached to fads.

Frugal shopping can save money on the family clothing bill. The key to making it work is how well you take care of your outfits after you buy them.

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Of course, the first step to getting organized is to get rid of any unnecessary clutter. But what do you do with the stuff you’re left with after you’ve purged your home of its extraneous contents? You can’t get rid of everything, so now you’ve got to deal with everything that’s left.

Getting organized is easy when you have plenty of containers and systems to hold your stuff. The problem is that all of those pretty containers can be expensive. You could easily spend way more than is reasonable to find ways to organize things like craft supplies, paperwork, or even toiletry items.

The good news, though, is that you don’t have to spend a ton to get organized. Instead, use items that you already have around the house to create your own storage devices. Look at the disposable storage containers you purchase every time you purchase your favorite groceries or toiletries. With a little creativity (and some time spent cleaning the containers up) you can have all the tools you need to keep your home tidy and enjoyable.

Try a few of these ideas:

Glass jars from grocery items – These make great containers to collect everything from bits of ribbons to hair ties. As an added bonus, the clarity of the jar makes it easy to know exactly what’s in each jar.

Shoeboxes – Shoe boxes are the perfect size to hold tons of things. I like to keep scrapbooking supplies in them because they are big enough to lie may paper goods flat. You can even turn shoeboxes into “pretty storage” by wrapping them in wrapping paper.

Tissue boxes – These are the perfect way to keep those empty plastic bags from floating all over your kitchen. Simply stuff the bags into a tissue box. You can, then, pull them out one at a time as you need them.

Plastic containers for cold cuts – If you scrub these out really well, they are perfect for holding your makeup and medications. They stack nicely under the sink and can even be packed in suitcases when you travel.

Diaper Boxes - You know those big boxes of diaper packs? Once you’ve used up all the diapers, they are perfect for storing winter clothing or children’s toys. Use self-adhesive contact paper to dress them up.

Learn to evaluate items for multi-purpose use. With a bit of creativity you can have the best of both worlds - an organized home without the high price.

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I’ve read in the past how you can save so much money by purchasing eyeglasses online. So after a recent eye exam where I found out I would have to start wearing prescription eyeglasses, I decided to try buying them online to save money.

Now I have never worn glasses before, so this was all new to me. My prescription was for bifocals and I decided I wanted progressive lenses. I had to learn all the “lingo” - PD, frame height, lens types, coatings, etc. It was a bit overwhelming. I shopped at several different optical stores and tried on a variety of frames so I could get an idea of the style and size I wanted. I also had each brick and mortar store give me a price quote for the frames and lenses. I was surprised at the large variations in price. My Super Target would give a discount based on our insurance provider. Surprisingly, the local Sam’s Club was the highest price for the type of lenses I was looking for. Since my glasses would be with progressive lenses, I needed a minimum size of lens for them to be effective.

Armed with all the information I thought I would need, I headed to the online stores. I was particularly careful to read each store’s guarantee and return policy. I chose to buy my eyeglasses at EyeBuyDirect because of the ease of navigation through the site and their return policy. After browsing the site and choosing a frame with the color I liked and the size I thought would fit, I placed my order. I did have to call their customer service department as I did not understand how to read the prescription the eye doctor had given me. The customer rep was extremely helpful and explained how to enter the information.

My eyeglasses arrived 2 weeks later. While they were of high quality and exactly as described on the website, they didn’t fit properly and I hated the color of the frames so I sent them back for a refund. I followed the instructions exactly on how to return the glasses and received a credit for the purchase price less the shipping fee (which was only about $5).

It was now apparent to me that I needed more professional help in purchasing my eyeglasses. I needed correct measurements taken and also needed to try on the exact frames I would be wearing. So I headed back to Super Target and tried on frames until I found ones that fit perfectly and purchased my glasses there.

It is definitely true that money can be saved buying eyeglasses online. The ones I purchased online and returned were $63; the eyeglasses I eventually purchased at Super Target were around $200. Being a first-time eyeglass wearer, the difficulty for me was not knowing what exact size frames to purchase. I also think the progressive lenses make things a bit more difficult; as a small framed person (read petite), I needed to have the seg height adjusted on the lenses.

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Pair your favorite summer tanks with simple lightweight cardigans. Fall weather can be so unpredictable that you’ll quickly learn to love the flexibility that comes with these combinations. For unexpectedly hot days, you can easily shed your outer layer. However, on cooler days, you’ll be glad to enjoy the warm feeling of your sweater.

Ditch your strappy sandals for a pair of hardworking flats. Cute flats can be paired with full-length pants or your favorite Capri pants. Just take care to select shoes that will go with all or most of your existing clothes so that you can wear them with everything.

Mute the bright colors of your summer clothes by combining them with more staid, traditional clothes. Your bright orange t-shirt will fit right into fall when you pair it with a dark pair of jeans. Likewise, a sturdy black skirt is perfect for wearing with a hot pink blouse.

Browse consignment shops for a lightweight trench coat. The rainy weeks of fall can cause even the neatest person to feel slightly soggy and messy. A sleek trench coat will protect your clothes from unexpected puddles and keep you looking stylish.

Give your old clothes a new life by adding a few new accessories to your wardrobe. Inexpensive costume jewelry can give your favorite sweater a whole new look. Pair a silver-toned necklace with a solid-colored t-shirt. Another option is to try wearing a pair of beaded earrings with a lightweight turtleneck sweater.

Don’t forget to check out great sales on fall clothes in late September and October. After the rush of back to school shopping is over, retailers need to quickly move their fall stock to make room for winter apparel. You can add a few new items to your wardrobe for a fraction of their regular prices.

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Fortunately, there are some foods that seem unfazed by the crazy inflation that is invading our lives. Working these foods into regular rotation in your meal or snack plans will allow you to insulate yourself from price increases that could wreck your budget. Here are a few examples, as well as some suggestions for how to incorporate them into your family’s diet.

Chips – First of all, snack chips are great additions to your children’s school lunches. But you can use them as more than snacks. You can also add them to dinner dishes like casseroles like Betty Crocker’s Chipotle Red Beans and Rice Casserole to give your dinner a little extra crunch.

Potatoes – While many different types of produce have become increasingly expensive, the price of potatoes has remained pretty flat. Potatoes can be used to make many different dishes such as mashed potatoes, potatoes au gratin, baked potatoes…you see where I’m going with this, don’t you?

Pasta Noodles – Pasta is one of my favorite foods, so I was thrilled to see that it hasn’t really been afflicted by rising food costs. Adding an inexpensive jar of sauce (caught at a sale price) will help you create a dinner your entire family will love.

Chicken – Unlike expensive beef, chicken has experienced a relatively stable price. There are as many ways to prepare chicken as there are stars in the sky. Add mayonnaise to baked chicken to make chicken salad for sandwiches. Or bake in a creamy sauce for a lip-smacking entrée. And, who doesn’t love friend chicken? Peruse your favorite cookbook for more ideas.

Flour/Sugar – Staples that are used in baking are very economical choices while you’re grocery shopping. Forget spending tons on pre-packaged desserts. Instead, you can bake your own cookies. Flour will also stand in as an inexpensive breading for meats.

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Your shopping excursion doesn’t, however, mean that you have to blow your budget. By carefully timing your purchases you can take advantage of clearance sales and ensure that you get the most bang for you buck.

Fall clearance sales present a wonderful opportunity while you’re shopping for clothes. Since fall weather can often be as warm as summer weather, you can buy summer clothes for less than a third of their regular prices and wear them right away. You can get clothes for the kids to start school in, as well as some new pieces for the adults in your family, and spend nowhere near as much money as you would have spent a month ago.

Next, clearance sales are great ways to replace the little things that seem to wear out in every household. Towels and other linens are often available at very low prices. When else can you replace your old threadbare sheets or bath towels for next to nothing? If you’ve been meaning to redecorate a bathroom or your bedroom, you’ll be sure to find everything you need in the fall white sales.

Finally, clearance sales in the fall often feature last year’s model of appliances and electronics. So, if you’re television is on the blink, early fall is the perfect time to shop for a replacement. Retailers need to make room in their storage rooms for the incoming new models, so they’re very motivated to sell the older models.

Whatever you’re planning to purchase, clearance sales allow you to stretch your shopping dollar as far as possible. Instead of buying the kids each one pair of jeans, you can buy them two or three. By spending the time to wade through the clearance sales you’ll be able to get everything you need at a price you and your family can live with.

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Aside from wondering how the holiday season snuck up on you, you may have just realized how quickly you’re going to have to start looking after your Christmas purchases. Presents for the little ones are always a big chunk of these expenses. What about travel, though? Maybe you drive to Grandma’s house for the holidays. What about groceries? All of those extras you cook at Christmas, a baked ham or apple pie, can mean extra expenses at the grocery store. Yes, it’s easy to tell that you’re going to need a holiday fund and soon.

Fortunately, there’s still time to prepare for the holiday spending spree if you start now. Starting now will leave you, roughly, three months of saving time before you have to start shelling out your savings. The alternative, doing nothing in preparation of the holidays, will leave you with plenty of bills to enjoy after the first of the year.

One great way to start saving for Christmas is to give up some little luxury for a short time. Maybe your family goes out to eat dinner once a week. You could opt to skip that dinner and put the money you’ve saved into your Christmas fund. Depending upon the size of your family, you could easily save $600 in the next three months. And, imagine how much your family will enjoy returning to their dining ritual after the holidays are over.

Another option for paying for your Christmas expenditures is getting a part-time job. Now, no one is suggesting that you work some ridiculous work schedule. However, one evening and one weekend day each week will allow you to earn close to $100 each week. At this rate, you’ll have enough money to pay for your holidays in no time. If you start to feel a little harried trying to squeeze a part-time job into your schedule, just keep reminding yourself that it’s only for a few months. You can do almost anything for a few months.

However you decide to provide for your Christmas plans, the important thing is to start now. Starting now allows you to use small inconveniences and the power of time to pull together the funds you need. The longer you wait to take action, the more drastic your actions will have to be.

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Summer clothes – Retailers who still have summer clothes on their sales floor are downright desperate right now to be rid of them. Peruse the clearance racks for items that you might need. You may wish to buy shorts and t-shirts in sizes slightly larger than the sizes your kids wear now to wear next summer.

Pool or water accessories – Swimming accessories like life jackets or floating rafts can be picked up for almost nothing at summer clearance sales. Likewise, pool chemicals, like chlorine, are much cheaper this time of year, too. If you have a pool, you may want to stock up on the necessary chemicals now and store them until you re-open your pool next spring.

Linens – I’m not sure why, but I’ve been seeing linen sales all over the place these last few weeks. Extra sheets, new bath linens, and luxurious curtains are nice additions to any household. Having a few spare linens can take some of the stress out of laundry day; the extra time is well worth the small expense.

Outside dining supplies – Durable tableware, like plastic cups or melamine plates, must be quickly vanquished from your local discount store’s shelves this time of year. Stash a new set of dishes away for your first barbecue next summer. You’ll love being able to break out a new look for your patio for pennies on the dollar.

Grilling equipment – Whether you need a whole new grill or just a new grill brush, now is the time to buy it. Great prices will allow you to find what you need at a bargain price, and there is still enough good weather left to enjoy it before winter.

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