Ahhh, thanksgiving. Loved more than Christmas by many, it’s a day of crispy turkey, gluttonous amounts of pumpkin pie, and gratitude for the wonderful gifts and people you’re blessed with. It’s a heartwarming concept, really. But then, the very next day, Americans embark upon a frenzy of consumerism for all the things we’ve been trained to think we need; racing each other to the best deals, queuing from 4am for an iPhone and punching strangers for a TV. Yes, there are few traditions more ironic than Black Friday.But despite how much Black Friday's influence may seem to be everywhere you look, there is one shopping extravaganza that makes it look tame: China’s equivalent, Singles' Day. Falling on November 11 this year, Singles' Day sees millions of Chinese take to the internet to scout out the best deals as retailers slash their prices for 24 hours only. But while Black Friday is often seen as a chance to do some early Christmas shopping - not that it's always appreciated - Singles' Day is all about self-love and showering yourself with gifts - which is kind of awesome, in a different kind way. And if this year’s figures are anything to go by, the Chinese aren’t shy when it comes to a bit of self-serving retail therapy. In 2017, the event broke all records, generating a whopping 168.2 billion yuan in online sales in just one day, the equivalent of about $25.3 billion; by comparison, the revenue generated in the US over the four-day Black Friday/ Cyber Monday weekend last year was $43.6 billion. To put that in perspective, the Chinese spent (on average) seven times more per person on Singles' Day than Americans did on Cyber Monday. So next time you're adding that thing you really don't need into your basket, you may officially remind yourself that someone is always going one step further than you. Singles' day originated back in the eighties amid a rising tide of consumerism in China, and was originally thought of as an “anti-Valentines” day, where single people could buy presents for themselves, presumably to make up for the fact that no one else was buying them anything. As you might expect, China’s now defunct “one-child” policy has led to somewhat of a pro-male gender imbalance - by 2030, it is estimated that a quarter of men will never have married - and so with a lot more single men than women, the day has now also earned the nickname Bachelor’s Day. However, in a brilliant, if ironic, tale of optimism, Singles' Day also sees condom sales surge. With some people prepared to spend hundreds of dollars on Singles' Day, it goes without saying that if you want to snag the best bargains you’ve got to get your head in the game before it even arrives. As in the US, there are previews for the best offers, apps where you can virtually try on clothes before you buy them, and even a four-hour fashion show where smartphone users can instantly purchase the clothes a model is wearing, should they wish to. The very best deals are limited, so many people wait up to fight it out at one second past midnight; the sales also end at midnight on the dot. While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are based around the principle of retailers competing against each other to offer the best deals, in China the event is primarily based around just one megalith of an online retailer, Alibaba. The Chinese equivalent of Amazon, Alibaba transformed Singles' Day into a major event in 2009 just as online shopping became big in China; in 2016, they processed more than 12,000 transactions per second. Although other sites do exist, many are indirectly owned by Alibaba or simply dwarfed in terms of spend. Not ones to be shy about their achievements, Alibaba even have a giant Singles' Day clock counting up the yuan in real time as it’s spent, which is then proudly shown off to a gigantic media pack at a celebratory television gala. This year the online retailer even reached out to overseas Chinese customers for the first time. Having found particular success in Southeast Asia, it's now expected to make even bigger waves abroad in the coming years - as if the Black Friday wasn’t a hefty enough dose of consumerism for the entire year.However, as much as everyone likes a bargain, Singles' Day isn’t without its critics. Much like Black Friday, it is seen by many as exploiting production workers lower down the food chain, a materialistic betrayal of Chinese values and catastrophic for the environment. In 2016, according to Greenpeace, clothing sales during the event contributed to over 300,000 tons of carbon emissions being released into the environment. China may like to portray itself as the archetypal example of a communist state done-good, but make no mistake about it: as Singles' Day proves, there is nowhere quite as capitalist as China. Booming economic growth, huge exports and a powerful stock market have all combined to make its economy is the second largest in the world, and is expected to overtake the USA sooner rather than later. As Edmund Harris, portfolio manager of the Guinness Atkinson China and Hong Kong Fund (ICHKX) told Forbes: "Modern China is encapsulated in days like Singles' Day Saturday". And sooner or later, this way of getting us to spend more is going to hit our shores too.
Credit: PA Images[/caption]
Black Friday. It is the largest shopping day of the year. And it is infamous for the stories that come out of it - people getting trampled over a good sale on TVs or phones. As a child, I always associated Black Friday with its name. It was definitely a dark day as all the shopping centers were packed tighter than sardines in a can with shoppers working off their Thanksgiving meals with some retail therapy. I always hated Black Friday shopping. I couldn't take the crowds, the noise, the picked-over merchandise - it was like an insight into what the apocalypse might look like.
But as the world started changing and things became more tech-oriented, I started to enjoy Black Friday because it meant you could get the same good shopping deals without the hassle of having to leave your house. And since Amazon came along, they have helped to revolutionize the way we shop on Black Friday. Now, Black Friday for me means sitting back on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate and Elf playing in the background while I go bananas putting things into my shopping cart. And the best part is, Amazon is worldwide so wherever you might be living, you can still avail of some great deals online. So take a look at some of the best Amazon Black Friday deals that you can get online!
[post_page_title]#1 Samsung Galaxy S10 128GB[/post_page_title]
Samsung Galaxy S10 128GB are usually sold at $899.99 but they will be going on sale on Black Friday for $699.99. Not bad. If you want a new phone, then Black Friday is the perfect chance to shop around and get something great for yourself. After all, Christmas is the perfect time to treat yourself.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
As the product description says: "Samsung's 2019 flagship smartphone goes big on the screen – with a corresponding price, too. You can now nab the 4G phone for almost £200 off, though you're getting the smallest storage model at only 128GB." I'm sure they'd go well with the earbuds. So, as I said, why not treat yourself?!
[post_page_title]#2 Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker[/post_page_title]
Cooking can be a fun past time that we enjoy. But sometimes, when we've got loads on our schedule with work and socializing, cooking can be a little hard to fit into the everyday. So, if you've been looking at appliances to help make your adult life a little easier, this Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker might be what you've been waiting for. And it's gone from $249.99 to $199.90.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
All those that love to cook will appreciate when Amazon describes it as, "Pressure cook, air fry, slow cook, steam, sear/sauté, bake/roast and grill your food to perfection in this all-in-one multi-cooker."
[post_page_title]#3 Amazon Music[/post_page_title]
As stated on the website: "Listeners can also take advantage of this amazing deal - nabbing four whole months of Amazon's 50-million song strong streaming service for under a [dollar]. You don't need to be a Prime member to take advantage, but you do need to be a new Amazon Music Unlimited customer. Offer expires January 6."
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
Unlimited 4 months of music for only $0.99 on Amazon? Yes, please! Sometimes we don't realize how much we spend on music or entertainment through streaming services, download fees, etc. so to get a deal on such things can really add up to savings in the future. I mean, why not get the savings on music which we rely on so much for our enjoyment and motivation? A life without music is just sad.
[post_page_title]#4 Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones[/post_page_title]
With more music than you could ever possibly listen to at your fingers on Amazon Music, the perfect accompaniment is a great pair of headphones.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
Going from $149.94 to $139.94 on Amazon is a pretty decent saving. It's a Black Friday deal that's definitely worth looking at.
[post_page_title]#5 iPhone 8[/post_page_title]
Black Friday deals are fantastic for looking at upgrading new phones. No one wants to pay full price if they can help it, no matter how awesome the phone is. And if you're looking to gift a fancy new phone, Black Friday savings are especially helpful. That is why you can now get an iPhone 8 and it'll only cost you $314.99.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
On Amazon, the product description reads: "Is it really a list of phones without Apple? When it comes to budget devices, normally no... Apple wouldn't make the list. But, the iPhone 8 has been steadily decreasing in price since we saw the release of the iPhone 11. Mixing affordability with high-level Apple specs, this will be ideal for the Apple fan wanting a cheap upgrade. Willing to go refurbished? Amazon can cut the price down to [$288.39]."
[post_page_title]#6 Samsung Galaxy A40[/post_page_title]
The product description reads: "Amazon's number 1 best seller in the SIM-free department and it is clear to see why. The Samsung Galaxy A40 comes in at [$139.99] while still managing to offer a sizeable Full HD+ display, premium design, dual camera set-up and an impressive battery/processor. We'd argue that this will be the best option for you under [$200]."
Credit: Amazon[/caption]
You can't really beat an offer like that, especially when it involves one of the world's best-selling phones. The features are cool too, therefore it's a great deal.
[post_page_title]#7 Moto G7 Power[/post_page_title]
Sometimes great deals aren't just about the big brand names. Black Friday savings extend to other items that are lesser-known, and you can find some real gems. Like this Moto G7 Power phone going for $199.99 when it was once $249.99. What a saving!
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
Like the description says: "The name gives this phone's secret superpower away. With one of the largest battery's on the market, it can outlast the vast majority of flagships. It even has a pretty decent processor for gaming and streaming. But at a price well under $200 and packed with a massive battery, expect a clunky and heavy device."
[post_page_title]#8 Galaxy S10 Plus[/post_page_title]
Why have the regular kind, when you could have the plus? If you're looking for a deal on a big-name phone or one of the really nice ones, then this one might just be up your alley. And you do save a fair amount since it's only $799.99 as compared to $999.99.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
And if you need a more in-depth explanation, Amazon has it written out for you: "Pick up the beautiful pearly white Galaxy S10 Plus for 18% off. The 128GB model gives you access to the device for its lowest price, instead of shelling out more than $1,000 for the biggest options." Plus, white is such a nice color for phones.
[post_page_title]#9 Bose Home Speaker 500[/post_page_title]
Sometimes, you can have all the latest gadgets, but then you realize, that you're missing one more. Home speakers would be that thing that most people tend to forget about. But what house party would a proper rager without a great sound system? Even if that house party is just you and your cat banging out to Lizzo at 9:30 pm while waiting for your takeout to arrive...not that I've ever done that. And these were originally $399, but they're down all the way to $299.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
Even Amazon says so with this description: "Amazon is offering the Bose Home Speaker 500 for under $300 ahead of Black Friday. Bose is renowned for its high-quality speakers, and this is a great example. From wall to wall stereo sound from a single speaker to integrated Google Assistant and Alexa, this is a smart speaker with serious audio punch."
[post_page_title]#10 Diablo III Eternal Collection: Nintendo Switch[/post_page_title]
Gamers can get excited because Black Friday is full of great gaming deals. This being one of them. You can get it reduced from $59.99 to $42.43 on Amazon. It's a physical edition.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
As Amazon describes the product, "This is the lowest price we've seen Diablo III's Eternal Collection for Switch. However, it's possible we'll see this price matched (or come down lower) over Black Friday."
[post_page_title]#11 Diablo III Eternal Collection: Xbox One[/post_page_title]
And here is the same thing in physical edition, but only made for Xbox instead of Nintendo. As part of the Black Friday deal, you can get it for $29.50 instead of the usual $39.99 price. That is a pretty decent saving, we have to admit. I'm not a gamer myself but I would definitely get this for a friend or family member who was.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
Even Amazon is impressed by the price. The product description weaves in the price saying" "This is by far the cheapest we've seen Diablo III on Xbox One."
[post_page_title]#12 Resident Evil 2 Remake[/post_page_title]
This Resident Evil 2 Remake is for the PS4, and it's a Physical Edition. The price isn't too bad at all. On Amazon, it's only $28.50, reduced from $59.99. We can't say that it's half bad of a savings considering that these games usually go for much more.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
Amazon's product description reads, "Capcom's remake of Resident Evil 2 is one of the best horror games in years."
[post_page_title]#13 Apple MacBook Air [/post_page_title]
No Black Friday sale would be complete without laptops galore having different sets of sales and offers on them. And like phones, this is a great time to shop around online from the comfort of your home for the perfect deal and laptop to suit your needs. This one is a great deal on Apple MacBook Air. It has Intel Core i5, 8GB, and 128GB. And you can get it on Amazon for $999.99 rather than its usual price of $999.99.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
The product description reads: "The newest MacBook Air is an impressive laptop, featuring strong battery life and a top-notch Retina Display. This is the base model with 128GB storage in the gold color scheme, and the money knocked off here represents an almost 20% discount."
[post_page_title]#14 Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch[/post_page_title]
Some deals are already pretty sweet on Amazon, to begin with, however, they seem to get better with Black Friday savings. Take this deal for Apple's MacBook Pro, for example.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
The Apple MacBook Pro is already pretty popular as an Apple laptop. But this one is 15-inch, 16GB RAM, and has 512GB of storage. I'm not entirely sure what all those words mean after 15 inches, but it sounds pretty good. But I do know that on Amazon if it was originally $2,799.99, but you can now get it for $2,349.00 then it's a pretty decent saving on something that I'd be using a lot. I mean, hello, writer!
[post_page_title]#15 Acer Aspire 5[/post_page_title]
Sometimes you don't always need the big brand name, especially if you are just doing the basics and are looking for something cute. If all you care about is appearance and basic function, then sometimes you can get really lucky with some fantastic deals, like this one for $308.97 rather than $349.99.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
Its product description reads, "The Acer Aspire 5 isn't the most powerful piece of kit on the market, but it doesn't need to be. For just $308, you can get a stylish laptop that can get you through everyday computing tasks like checking email and cruising through Facebook. You can even do Photoshop!"
[post_page_title]#16 Asus ROG Zephyrus G GA502DU[/post_page_title]
This is another one that is not a big name but it's still pretty good. The description reads: "This slimline Asus laptop is now more affordable than ever."
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
Not bad at all for going down in price from $1,199.99 to $1,134 for being a 15.6-inch gaming laptop. Got to love Amazon for its savings. Again, Black Friday really is all about finding the best deals on what you need.
[post_page_title]#17 LG OLED55B9PUA B9 Series 55" 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV[/post_page_title]
No Black Friday sale would be complete without sales and deals on TVs. I mean, they would have to offer savings on TVs, they do in stores and those are always the stories that are the lore of Black Friday shopping madness.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
So, buying a TV online means all the comfort of home and no risk of trampling. And that is a pretty sweet deal, especially if you're going for a 55-inch TV that's been reduced from $1,296.99 down to$1,196.99.
[post_page_title]#18 Acer Predator Helios 300 gaming laptop[/post_page_title]
If gaming laptops are your thing, then you'll probably be happy with these savings. This one goes down a pretty decent amount, a whole $100! We can't argue with those kinds of savings. This normally goes for $1,199. But with Black Friday deals you're looking at only spending $1,089 if you go through Amazon.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
The product description on Amazon reads: "When you pull the Acer Predator Helios 300 out of your bag, everyone will know its a gaming laptop, but with an Intel Core i7 processor and GTX 1660 Ti graphics, that lack of discretion is totally worth it. Plus, you can save $100 right now on Amazon."
[post_page_title]#19 Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 Digital Camera[/post_page_title]
Cameras can sometimes be an item that we don't always look at as being so costly, that is until we go into a store to buy one then realize that we'll be taking action pictures on our smartphones for just that bit longer. Back Friday is one of those times that you can loosen up a bit and treat yourself to something that you would want, not necessarily need like a laptop or smartphone.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
This Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 digital camera comes with optical zoom and image stabilization. And it comes in Black. The best part is that it's available for only $189.00!
[post_page_title]#20 Sony RX100VA (NEWEST VERSION) 20.1MP Digital Camera[/post_page_title]
If you're not that into Cannon there is always another great brand that you can look at. Sony has their Sony RX100VA 20.1MP digital camerain black.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
I can't say no to a good digital camera. It's something that will come in handy when on a vacation abroad or if you just really want to get more interesting shots for Instagram. And you only have to spend $848.99 as opposed to $998.00.
[post_page_title]#21 Kodak PIXPRO Friendly Zoom FZ43-BK 16MP Digital Camera[/post_page_title]
If you want a good camera, but for a little less, more like $62, you can get the Kodak PIXPRO Friendly Zoom FZ43-BK 16MP digital camera It's a little smaller, hence the price, but it would still be good.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
Considering the price difference between it and some of the other cameras on offer, it's still got a pretty impressive resolution.
[post_page_title]#22 Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt Pressure Cooker[/post_page_title]
Pressure cookers are great. They can cut down on so much time that you have to spend preparing food in the kitchen. Plus, they cook items like meat in half the time it would take to normally on the regular stove. So, why not take advantage of the Black Friday Amazon savings, like this one, that you can get on Amazon for $79.00 instead of $99.95
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
As the description of the product says it "combines 7 kitchen appliances in 1 to save you space, including: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute, yogurt maker, and warmer."
[post_page_title]#23 Instant Pot DUO Plus 60, 6 Qt 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker[/post_page_title]
Another great product description from Amazon for this pressure cooker: "Get the six-quart Instant Pot Duo Plus 60 on sale for $119.95 at Amazon. The six-quart pressure cooker replaces nine kitchen appliances and includes 15 different smart programs."
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
Sign me up, it sounds like something that you would want to have in your kitchen. Just think about all the time you could save! Originally $129.95, you can instead get it on Amazon during Black Friday for $119.95. That sounds like excellent savings.
[post_page_title]#24 New Apple iPad (10.2-Inch, Wi-Fi, 128GB) [/post_page_title]
When the iPad first came out, my initial thoughts were, 'What a useless item if you already own a laptop and iPhone!' Oh, was I wrong. Everyone loves a good iPad, they're so convenient. And this Black Friday, you can get some great deals on them as well, like this iPad that's gone from $429 to $399. I'll take one in every color.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
One happy reviewer wrote: "One of the best ipad under $350.00 If you owned an galaxy or samsung or lg you will fall in love with this product. [sic] Cons - Its A10 Chip, 8MP back AND 2mP face front camera. Everything else is just amazing. Great for adults and teens. If you want to replace your laptop then buy an iPad Pro."
[post_page_title]#25 Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Earbuds[/post_page_title]
If you're a big music fan like me, then you are definitely always on the hunt for the best deals on headphones. And that is when Amazon becomes a great place to shop.
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Credit: Amazon[/caption]
These wireless Bluetooth earbuds are a great shout if you're looking for something on the cheaper side and come in at $17.99, having been reduced from $29.96.
As soon as that Thanksgiving meal settles deep in our stomachs and the holiday season starts to enter its peak, our attention turns from delicious turkey and delicious meals, and more toward that washing machine in the basement which is definitely on its last legs. Thanksgiving is all well and good, but Black Friday is when we stop being thankful for our loving family for one second, and start being thankful for 30 percent off that iPhone.
If you know where to go and how to conduct your business, Black Friday can be a great way to get yourself some new things for a fraction of the price you would usually pay. For lack of a better word, it's a steal - but one man took that maybe a little too literally when he tried to steal around $800's worth of electronics goods from a store on Black Friday.
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For Jose Marin, 30, who lives in Washington Heights in the New York city of Manhattan, this seemed like the perfect plan. While crazed shoppers clawed and fought it out with each other for discounted goods in the battlefields of the aisles, Marin thought that the employees at a Best Buy wouldn't notice if he pilfered a couple of electronics for himself.
But unfortunately, much like the best-laid plans of mice and men, Marin's electronics heist went decidedly awry. The plan fell apart right around when security guards caught the thief trying to open up a box for a Playstation 4 worth $399 in the store, and held him until the police arrived.
Once New York's finest made their way to the scene, they opened Marin's bag, and they found way more goodies hidden away in that bag than just a Playstation. Along with a glass pipe that was said by police to contain a bit of "drug residue", Marin's bag had a cellphone and Amazon Echo speakers, as well as that PS4, with $826's worth of goods overall and no receipt for his purchase.
Because he hadn't bought the goods in his bag.
[[imagecaption|| Credit: James Messerschmidt]]
Led away in handcuffs, Marin was charged with petit larceny, possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled substance, and will appear in court on December 10 to answer those charges. As he was led away, he reportedly asked: "Can I have my pipe back?" but the pipe was not given back to him.
Marin has eight prior arrests on charges including criminal mischief, theft of service and resisting arrest, and once he is in front of a judge, it remains to be seen whether he will be given leniency. When approached for a response, a Best Buy manager declined to comment, only saying: "We’re slammed right now."
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In their report, police say that the PS4 in question was selling for $399, while the headphones and speakers were $109 each, while the cellphone Marin stole was worth around $99.
A mom of 12 has hit out at retailers for stocking Christmas gifts too early in the year before many families can afford to buy them.
Christmas seems to come round earlier and earlier every year, with displays starting to hit the shelves before Halloween or Thanksgiving is even done.
While it is the happiest time of the year for many, for some it can be a time of hardship and financial stress, as parents do their best to make sure the day is special for their children.
Combined with the cost of living crisis hammering families' wallets all round, it's no wonder many are waiting until later in the year to save up for presents rather than shopping early.
Zoe Sullivan, who has 12 children with her husband Ben, hit out at how unfair it is that poorer families could end up missing out on coveted gifts that have sold out on early offers before they were able to afford to buy them.
The 44-year-old took to YouTube to share a recent haul from the budget retail chain B&M in the UK, where she ended up seeing several Christmas items lining the shelves before summer is even over.
She told her followers: "It gets earlier and earlier and earlier every year. You have to be early because by the time Christmas comes B&M is cleared out, there's nothing left. So you have to kind of get it early which isn't always possible."
Zoe added: "I know going back a few years for us we couldn't really get the stuff early because we didn't have the money until much closer to Christmas, so you end up missing out because they bring the stuff in so early now.
"And that's a little bit annoying because you can't always afford the stuff back in August, especially when you've just spent however much getting the kids back to school."
As part of her haul, Zoe picked up some Spider-Man games and toys in a two-for-£24 ($30) offer which was part of a festive promotion.
Revealing how she makes holidays work with a dozen children to cater for, Zoe explained: "We do kind of start thinking about Christmas as soon as they've gone back to school it's not always affordable to be able to do it as soon as they've gone back to school. So it's a little bit, it is really early."
While presents are always nice to give and receive, at Christmas and other times of the year the presence of your loved ones is always the best gift to get.
If you're not a fan of internet shopping and you're thinking about picking up some new threads, new gadgets or kitchenware at ridiculously discounted prices, then you could do a lot worse than heading to Walmart on Black Friday. Provided you can keep your cool and be ruthless in the tsunami of desperation that is a mob of people who won't buy a toaster unless it's 20 percent off, there's plenty a deal to be had.
But while you're thinking about camping outside of a Walmart at some ungodly hour in the cold just so you can get all those Christmas gifts well in advance, it might be worth taking things back about 12 hours, and getting to Walmart on Thanksgiving instead. That is, assuming you can peel yourself away from your family.
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This year, Walmart are actually starting their Black Friday deals the day before. If you're looking for a television, a laptop or even something a basketball hoop, then it might be worth telling your kids that you've popped out for some milk or something.
"We look forward to it all year," said Walmart US' chief merchandising officer Steve Bratspies of the Black Friday Thanksgiving sale, while he was on a call with gathered reporters.
"We expect it to be a good event, like it has been in past years. The season has been stretched out a bit, but we don't think that will take any of the wind out of our sails. We just want customers to choose Walmart and we're agnostic about what channel they use."
But this year, to get customers extra hyped, Bratspies also revealed Walmart's plans for a huge party beforehand. "We're throwing a big party before the event begins," he explained, and at this event, customers at Walmart will be able to enjoy free cookies from the store's bakery, as well as cups of free Keurig coffee.
That'll be from 4pm to 6pm local time on Thanksgiving, so if you feel like free coffee but not much like shopping that day, then why not pick up a hot cup of joe before you head home to your family for Thanksgiving dinner? But for those of you with an eye for a bargain and a need for speed, then Walmart's introducing a couple of new things to help with the Black Friday rush.
While we can't do anything about people engaging in Mortal Kombat over the last copy of the latest Mortal Kombat Playstation game, Walmart have a couple of new developments to make the whole Black Friday process a little smoother.
Shoppers will be given colour-coded maps, complete with pins depicting the best deals, and to minimise long lines, there'll be associates kitted out with yellow sashes, that can check people out where they stand without needing to go to a till. It's looking like Walmart might be the place to be come this Thanksgiving. Y'know, apart from with your family.
Black Friday is coming up, a day we tend to associate with crowded shopping malls, terrified retail workers and, of course, some killer deals. However, now that we are firmly in the internet age, it isn't always about actually heading out to the store to grab some cheap products - but doing a little online shopping when the big day comes.
However, while you can just try your luck out on the day, there are some little tricks to the trade that can help you out. Money saving expert Emma Bradley, who runs her own blog, 'Mum's Savvy Savings', has a few hacks to the Black Friday game that she has shared.
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Her suggestions include all sorts of things, from clearing your internet browsing history, setting up price alerts and placing your products in the basket the night before.
"The basket will also update the following day with the new reduced prices," she explained. "Some retailers have gotten wise to this and empty baskets after a period of time but it could still be worth a try if you are researching the night before."
And, perhaps most importantly, she insists that despite the quick-paced nature of the day, everyone should research prices to make sure it's a good deal, and look into the terms and conditions before they purchase anything.
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Clearing both your browsing history and your cookies is a good idea according to Bradley, as apparently they both can affect the prices you are presented with. "This is especially true when booking experience-based gifts, such as trips and stays in hotels," she said.
"Knowing your rights is important because as a consumer you still have your legal rights even if bought during Black Friday. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, you can cancel an online order up to 14 days from the time the goods are delivered to you, therefore if you do change your mind you are still protected.
"Personally, I find the best deals to be had on Black Friday are on electrical goods. Last year I bought a GHD straighteners and hairdryer set for around the £110 [$141] mark, which was my best deal."
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According to the savings expert, the best deals aren't found in store on Black Friday, but online. So, rather than heading out to any stores, it's best to refresh websites as they update their deals - and make sure to plan ahead, make a wishlist, and set a budget.
"I would encourage shoppers to plan ahead and create a list of what they are looking to buy to moderate their spending [...] be aware that you don’t get caught up in the frenzy.
"Buying online can feel a bit too easy, as if we are not spending actual money, especially if our debit cards are automatically stored and we don’t even input the details. It is only when the money has left our banks that it feels real."
So, however involved you get this Black Friday, make sure to not go completely overboard - as you might end up spending far more than you ever wanted to.
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