Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.
Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.
Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.
Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.
HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.
HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.
HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.
GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.
Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.
Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.
Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.
In the list of Republican candidates vying to take over Bush's seat in the White House, familiar names like Giuliani and Romney took early leads in polls. However, as we move closer to the various state primaries, a new picture is emerging in which lesser-known candidates with different messages are finding success online and, amazingly, leading the polls. One of those is Ron Paul, whose online supporters drummed up $6 million in funding in a 24-hour period.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BRENDAN said 5:34PM on 3-05-2008
i wonder if ron paul an ccollect 6 million in 24 hrs if a disabled widow with lung cancer can get enough to buy a used car.....BAndersen509
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Sheena said 6:37PM on 3-05-2008
I dont understand why hardly anyone voted for Ron Paul. Seriously. He is a very liberal conservative. The man wants to cut out ALL taxes so we dont have to pay any. How can you not want to vote for that? I think alot of people really just dont know about Ron Paul. I didnt either until I watch him on Bill Mahr's show. Ron Paul was the first republican I had ever seen on Bill Mahr that was loved by Bill and the audience. So he caught my attention. I was wondering why they loved a republican so much. I found out why. He hates almost everything conservative and hates the system but is extremely liberal at the same time, though he calls himself republican. It's really wierd. He says everything we all want to say or have said. I really cant understand why he was the underdog and sooo under-rated. Wierd. He is the best thing this country probably would have elected. See when people are uneducated this is what happens.....For now I'll just have to give Obama my second pick support and see if he can back up his talk, seeing Ron doesnt have a chance due to ignorance. Dont stop trying Ron. We love you and you got my vote.
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Robert Wayne said 7:21PM on 3-05-2008
Ron Paul definitely has my vote now that Tom Tancredo and Duncan Hunter are out of the running. There is no way I would even consider voting for either Obama, Clinton or McCain. These three crooks have been bought and paid for by the one world govt. globalists which is why the mainstream media has been supporting them and against the candidates who are good for America.
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Robert Wayne said 7:32PM on 3-05-2008
Well, I sure wish George Wallace had been president instead of George Bush (Sr. or Jr.). He was definitely right about two things. Desegregation was bad for this country. That's why the public school system of today is in a shambles. And there's not a dime's worth of difference between the RePukes and the DemoRats. As soon as they're in office all they're interested in doing is ripping off the middle class taxpaying backbone of America.
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melissa said 8:44AM on 3-06-2008
You go right ahead and vote for him and you will be voting Ms. Hillary or Mr. Barak (looking like it will probably be Hillary) right on into the White House .. duh!
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Jason Stone said 9:20AM on 3-06-2008
Why is this artical being recycled now? Mar 5 2008.
Jason Stone
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R Ybarra said 8:24PM on 3-06-2008
Ron Paul es el mero chingon, We need to help him get to the white house.
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Jim Johnson said 11:38AM on 3-06-2008
As usual, the Ron Paul supporters have overloaded the system. but, they cannot win the vote as the best Paul has done is 7% and that is with all other candidates dropping from the ballot. Paul has no chance of winning or beating anyone at the ballot box. McCain is the party selection - support him.
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MSSIPEMUDBUG said 7:29PM on 3-06-2008
DR. RON PAUL IS THE ONLY REAL DOCTOR WHO CAN HEAL THIS NATION AND BRING BOTH PARTIES BACK TO RESONING.
I AM FOR DR. PAUL BECAUSE OF HIS BELIEF'S IN A LIMITED FEDERAL GOVT. AS FRAMED BY OUR FOREFATHERS IN THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION. THAT "WE THE PEOPLE IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE (PERFECT UNION) HAS TURNED ON US AND NOW INSTEAD OF THE STATES DELEGATING TO THE FEDERAL GOV'T WHO'S ORIGINAL RESPONSIBILITIES LAY ONLY TO PROTECT THE UNITED STATES FROM FORIGN INVATION HAS BEEN LOST. SOMEHOW OUR VOTED IN OFFICE HAS TURNED AROUND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO THE POINT THAT WE ARE SLAVES TO IT. THAT IS NOT WHAT OUR FOREFATHERS CREATED THE U. S. CONSTITUTION FOR. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS LIMITED TO PROTECTING US FROM FORIGN INVADERS PERIOD. EACH STATE HAS IT'S OWN FORM OF STATE GOVERNMENT, IT'S SENATE, CONGRESS, GOVERNORS CABINET, THE LT. GOV AND GOVERNOR. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO'S VOICE SHOULD BE HEARD FROM THE RESIDENTS OF THEIR PROSPECTIVE STATE, PERIOD! SO WE EITHER NEED TO GET RID OF THE FEDERAL GOV'T CONTROL OVER THE STATES OR GET RID OF THE STATE (WE THE PEOPLE) GOV'T GOVERNMENT WHO CREATED THIS MONSTER WHO SENDS OUR STATE TROOPS "ALL OVER THE WORLD" IN ORDER TO PROP UP FAKE GOV'TS AND MAKING IT LOOK LIKE THE PEOPLE OF THAT NATION, ARE OUR FRIENDS. THAT SIMPLY IS NOT TRUE. MANY ISLAMIC NATIONS ARE PROPPED UP BY KINGDOMS OR IN SOME WAY INFLUNCED BY THE GOV'T TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE WE THE PEOPES AER LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR OWN GOOD. I SAW A BUMPER STICKER THAT WAS PERFECT TO MY IDEA OF OUR NATION TODAY. IT SAID. "BE NICE TO AMERICA OR WE WILL BRING DEMOCRACY TO YOUR NATION." WELL THAT REALLY SUM'S IT UP. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING.
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Ladd E. Honkala said 12:36PM on 3-06-2008
NOooooo! A vote for Ron Paul is not a vote for Billery , or Obamarama . One must vote from the heart , and if you don't let it be seen that we need real change in Gov't then we'll never see it !A national campaign to write in Ron Paul in November would really shake the heck out of Washington , and all those sickening media giants who seem to know it all and try to program you to vote a certain way . Lets just do it come November, and see real change . Then if Ron Paul is assassinated while giving his acceptance speech , that's when people would know who killed Kennedy , Oklahoma City , Waco , 9/11 , Ron Brown , Vince Foster , etc..... " Get the picture ? "
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Jon said 7:40PM on 3-06-2008
Ron Paul actually has some interesting ideas, though he sounds like an absolute psycho while expounding them...also, he's an isolationist and protectionist.
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Ron said 8:49PM on 3-06-2008
I've never been able to understand the logic behind, "I'd like him to win but he won't so I won't vote for him". How stupid is that??
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THE VOICE OF REASON said 9:57PM on 3-06-2008
RON PAUL SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE ! WHY HASN'T HE FARED BETTER IN THE POLLS ? HE'S RUNNING AGAINST THE "INSIDERS FROM D.C." AND ISN'T FARING WELL AT ALL.
WHY IS THIS ? HIS RHETORIC IS INSPIRING AND HONEST GOOD ADVICE AND TACTFUL. WHY ISN'T HE GETTING THE NOTORIETY AND MEDIA COVERAGE ? WHY IS THE BETTER MAN NOT GETTING HIS JUST DUE ? WHY DAMMIT WHY ?
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Richard said 10:51PM on 3-06-2008
As LADD sez, quit listning to the very slanted news media. Their all (news media) in bed with big business and are only interested is in "ratings" Take a real look at what's left of your pay check and see how the bloated government pisses it away and the average taxpayer never see the fruits of their labor. Wake up America and vote Ron Paul in, to trim a LOT of the fat in Washington.
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TRINA said 12:00PM on 3-13-2008
Proposed legislation sponsored by RON PAUL:
Cost of Government Awareness Act of 2007. HR 3601, 2007-09-19, originally HR 4855, 2000-07-13. Eliminates employer withholding tax and replaces it with monthly installment payment of income tax by employees, finding that withholding taxes are inherently deceptive and unfair and that they "hide the true cost of government from taxpayers, making tax increases more feasible".
How is this ELIMINATING taxes? All we'd be doing is making steady monthly payments instead of taxes being based on a percentage of our monthly income...I'm a comissioned worker, I wonder how difficult a monthly payment would make paying the bills on a slow month...at least federal withholding as it is doesn't necessarliy hold the potential to be so substantially detrimental; not only to commissioned workers, but also to low income families who may ultimately be burdened with a larger "monthly installment payment of income tax".
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craig t said 11:09PM on 3-07-2008
Thank God For Ron Paul He Soothed And totally cured my elephantitus.....! I thought it was nuts, but RUPAUL, Got me walking again!!!!
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craig t said 11:24PM on 3-07-2008
Go with RUPAUL.....Work, Work it girl...move your --- to the poll booth!......let me see ya work. YEEAHH BOOOOOOY!!!!!!!!
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JohnL said 11:24AM on 12-17-2007
Dr. Paul is the only chance the Republicans have against the Democrats, and he truly is the champion of the Constitution. He has my vote. To donate or get involved: ronpaul2008 (dot) com
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Ready For A Change said 1:33PM on 12-17-2007
I am going to deny my child some expensive Christmas presents this year so I can financially support Ron Pauls quest to fight the "system" that has eroded our country. In effect, I will be giving her the best gift any parent can, A FUTURE.
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William T said 4:05PM on 12-17-2007
Unfortunately it took segregationist Governor Wallace to reveal the truth that "there's not a dime's worth of difference between" Republicans and Democrats. The Democrats willingly went along with the War in Iraq, suspension of Habeas Corpus, detaining protesters, banning books like "America Deceived' from Amazon, stealing private lands (Kelo decision), warrant-less wiretapping and refusing to investigate 9/11 properly. They are both guilty of treason.
Support Dr. Ron Paul and save this great nation.
Last link (before Google Books bends to gov't Will and drops the title):
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-38523-0
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