Better Get Up Early on Black Friday if You Want To Catch These Deals

Black Friday 2009 is only two days away and retailers are offering some killer deals. Be on the look out for LCD HDTVs for half price or a Nikon camera marked down 40%.


Target: Westinghouse 32" LCD HD TV

Retail Price $429.99

Black Friday Price $246








Target: Razor Folding Aluminum Folding Scooter

Retail Price $29.99

Black Friday Price $17













Target: Chefmate Slow Cooker

Retail Price N/A

Black Friday Price $3

Chefmate Coffee Maker, sandwich maker and toasters also on sale for $3 each)









Walmart: TomTom One 125 Portable GPS

Retail Price $98

Black Friday Price $59














Walmart: Magnavox Blu-Ray Disc Player

Retail Price $128

Black Friday Price $78








Best Buy: Nikon Cool Pix S60 10-Megapixel Camera

Retail Price $299.99

Black Friday Price $179.99










Best Buy: Insignia 10-Megapixel Digital Camera

Retail Price $79.99

Black Friday Price $39.99










Toys "R" Us: Barbie Totally Hair Braid It Doll

Retail Price $19.99

Black Friday Price $9.99












Toys "R" Us: Webkinz & Lil' Kinz Plush

Retail Price $17.99

Black Friday Price $8.99












Toys "R" Us: Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway

Retail Price

Black Friday Price









Kohls: George Foreman Lean Mean Grill

Retail Price $39.99

Black Friday Sales Price $9.99

Does Inflation Help With getting Out of Debt?

We are constantly hearing about the Federal Reserve trying to combat inflation. Things seem tame for now, but gas price increases can be looming their ugly heads again soon. So does inflation help with getting out of debt?

So many of us have drank the Kool-Aid a few years ago with the inflation scenario: "Finance now and pay off later with cheaper dollars." That's what so many people did and it led to the ultimate real estate crash. Unfortunately, the plan would have worked if everyone's income increased at the same rate as or a greater rate than inflation. For most of us this never happens and probably won't.

Stagnant economic conditions resulting from significant price spikes in things like gasoline and food always add to your debt burden because inflation erodes the buying power of your paycheck. Don't ever find yourself drinking the Kool-Aid and get caught up in the "buy it now before the price goes up" hype or you'll just dig yourself deeper into the hole with debt.

Has the Firt-Time Homebuyers Credit Been Extended?

President Obama approved the extension of the tax credit for first-time homebuyers to include certain home purchases that close no later than April 30, 2010. The homebuyers credit originated in February as part of an economic stimulus bill, and was due to expire December 1. More than 1.2 million borrowers have claimed $8.5 billion of the $13.6 billion set aside for the homebuyer tax credits this year, according to the Treasury Department.

Under the extension, first-time homebuyers are eligible for a tax refund of up to $8,000 on the purchase of a principal residence.

- Homes must have a purchase price under $800,000 and can include newly-constructed or resale homes and single family detached, townhomes or condominiums. Excluded are vacation home and rental property purchases.

- Homes must be purchased after November 6, 2009 and before May 1, 2010, although home purchases subject to a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010 will be allowed. Closing must occur within 60 days.

- The income cap for qualifying has been raised to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples, up from $75,000 and $150,000 respectively.

Many believe the extension and broadening of the program will help continue the momentum of the housing recovery.

What do think? Are you taking advantage the credit? Let us hear from you.

Favorite Personal Financial Blogs Weekly Recap

- New York May allow the practice of at least 20 other states and start publishing the names of its biggest tax delinquents online. [Economix]

- A new debit card identity theft scheme is popping up in California, Missouri, Wisconsin, and other states. The thefts are largely tied to Hancock Fabric stores, in which debit card information and pin numbers are stolen and money is withdrawn from the account. Authorities estimate around a $40,000 loss for banks. [The Consumerist]

- Online microlending has been all the rave in recent years. One of the most popular is Kiva, which is allows you to make loan to low income entrepreneurs in developing countries. But it is not longer practical for it be true "person to person lending." [My Money Blog]

- A $350 a night luxury resort in Malaysia will give you a free night if you encounter more than one inch of rain in any 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. period. Willing to hope for rain in exchange for free digs? [Savvy Sugar]

- Has a friend or relative asked you to co-sign for a credit card or other loan? Here are four excellent questions to ask before you go through with it. [CreditCards.com]

Talk about Money! New Moon Makes $140.7 Million in Its Opening weekend.

Talk about a way to make some money. Write a successful book series and then have them turned into movies. The Twilight Saga: New Moon scored big this weekend with $140.7 million hall in its opening weekend November 20. This places the tale of a vampire in love with a human third for an opening weekend. Just behind The Dark Knight and Spiderman 3.

The Vancouver estate used to reflect Edward Cullen's family home went up for sale last week too for $3.3 million. With that kind of money going around I am sure that home isn't selling as a short sale.

After Stuffing Yourself With Turkey Head Over Toys R Us

Most stores open at 5:00 a.m. on Black Friday, but for Toys R Us the early bird catches the worm.

The toy store giant will be opening its doors nationwide at midnight on Thanksgiving. The night begins with 70 doorbuster deals such as:

- A free $50 gift card with the purchase of an iPod touch

- Buy-2-get-1 free sale on Batman "Dark Knight" action figures

- $75 of savings on a Razor scooter worth $249.99

- The first 100 shoppers will receive a ticket to buy coveted electronic hamster toy, Zhu Zhu Pets.

Toys R Us normally opens its doors at the crack of dawn on Black Friday, but this year will also have 100 undavertised "mystery" deals that will be revealed at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Novemer 25 on the company's Web site.

Black Friday Deals Stay on Target.

As we reported before Target is planning on getting Black Friday shoppers in its doors by offering $3 toasters and coffemakers, huge sales on HDTVs, and discounts as much as 50% on clothes and toys. Other deals include:

- A westhinghouse 32-inch LCD HDTV for $246. According to Brad Olson, founder of Gottadeal.com, That is lowest price that we've ever seen for that model."

- $3 Chefmate appliances such as toasters, coffeemakers, and sandwich makers.

- A 40-inch Apex 1080p LCD HDTV for $449 with a $10 gift card.

- A TomTom GPS for $97 and a Garmin GPS for $179

- A RCA dual screen portable DVD player for $88

- A $39 Polaroid V 130 Camcoder

- 50% off on select toys and children's clothing for between $5 to $7.

The retailer is also offering a free gift card for $10 when you spend $100 or more at stores from 5 a.m. to n oon on Black Friday.

Be sure to watch that fine print though because according to Target's circular some of the sales are only valid on Black Friday while other will be good through Saturday.

Target's circular is expected to be released today NOV. 22.

Black Friday Dirty Tricks, But shhhh...They're a Secret.

The big shopping day just after Thanksgiving is only a few days away and retailers will be passing out their advertising circulars to let you know of all their great Black Friday deals. But are their deal so great and will you be the lucky one to take advantage of it? Here are some things to look out for:

1. Look at the fine print that appears at the bottom of the circulars.

2. Watch terms like "While supplies last," "Minimum 2 per store," "No rainchecks" or "All items are available in limited quantities."

3. Take a second look at those circulars as some will say tings like "Minimum of 5 per store" on models of large screen plasma and HDTVs or popular brands of home appliances like washer and dryers.

Many retailers won't be tricking or cheating consumers this year, but be sure to check your deal list twice for that fine print so you aren't disappointed when you get to the store. Some of these tricks are enough to cause shopping rage, but maybe you can play the biggest dirty trick of them all and just not shop at the stores that play these games.

What Does a Financial Planner Do and I Should Get One?

A financial planner is certified in developing and implementing a customized financial plan for you. Generally a financial planner works with you on a regular basis to help you build your portfolio. Certified financial planners are required to take a five part course, pass a ten hour exam, and complete fifteen additional hours of additional training a year to become certified. You will find many financial planners have security licenses, which allow them to sell you financial products that they recommend.

Over time you will find that you may not require the services of a professional financial planner on a regular basis. A visit with your accountant every now and then may be enough to help manage your debt since financial planning isn't hard to do. There are some circumstances when a financial planner may be right for you:

1. You earn good money, but you seem not able to save anything on a regular basis or you don't even know where all your money goes every month.

2. You have tough financial questions that you feel you can't find the answers to and need some expert advice. A good example would be your company is downsizing and you want to know what you should do about your 401K. You can get advice from a financial planner.

3. You have a savings and retirement plan in place that is just sitting there and it is making money without you doing anything. Should you leave it alone or start playing a more active role in managing your finances with the assistance of a financial planner?