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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Lisa said 9:05PM on 4-17-2008
I think it's a brilliant idea.
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Suz said 9:15PM on 4-17-2008
Finally! Someone doing something to eradicate these horrific sites. Anorexia is a terrible disease that steals the lives, literally and figuratively, of millions of girls (and boys) worldwide each year.
Having people promote the disease is like someone being an advocate for cancer.
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dona said 9:40PM on 4-17-2008
To think that someone is actually encouraging these girls/women to continue with such a horrific disease is awful. I struggled many years and will do so the rest of my life against anexoria and the damage it did to my body. I almost lost my life to anexoria but for the support and love from my family and a very dedicated doctor I would be dead today. I think the penalty for such sites is not enough for the damage they inflict on these women.
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domboy said 9:45PM on 4-17-2008
This is so stupid! We're in the midst of an obesity crisis here in the west (mostly USA and UK) that kills many many more than anorexia does, and where is the media on that?? In the US somewhere around 60% of the population is overweight, making anorexia is very minor in comparison. We need to focus on the other extreme of eating disorders.
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freakwhosings said 11:17PM on 4-20-2008
The fact is, neither is better than the other. To think that anorexia is better than obesity is absurd and, frankly, sad. Media supports anorexia, and doesn't support obesity. And you know what, if someone is trying to prevent millions of little innocent girls from thinking they're not good enough because they're not a size sero, kudos for them. And also, America is the only country having a real problem with obesity. So think before you speak next time. Or before you type, I guess.
Suz said 10:17PM on 4-17-2008
Obesity is not an eating disorder or a disease. I do agree it is a huge problem, but not in the same catagory as anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders. There are ways to treat obesity medically. There is no cure or easy recovery path for a person suffering from anorexia. Ask the person posting previously (dona) how "minor" her suffering is. Please do not pass judgement until you are more informed.
jennifer said 1:19AM on 4-18-2008
The statistics on eating disorders are so high it is scary...don't be fooled by what you see. Most women and girls, along with a large portion of men and boys in society are secretly battling an eating disorder and yet look 'healthy' to the naked eye. Even many people at the gym or famous athletes are engaging in what is called anorexia athletica. Many bulimics are actually what you would probably consider to be overweight due to the body's need to retain calories and fat for survival because of the frequent vomiting. Then you have the anorexic that retains weight also out of the body's need to survive. Then there is the anorexic that does lok thin but appars 'normal' now because of fact that society has rewritten what looks thin. Along with this there is dual diagnosis: those that are afflicted with both alcoholism and an eating disorder, what happens here is that the alcohol replaces the calories enough to survive (for a period of time) without much or any food, and it can be difficult to detect what this person is doing. Then there is the bulimarexic who suffers from both bulimia and anorexia...and yes, obesity is an eating disorder too...but a well known eating disorder therapist has done much research in the area of obesity and the media and has found that the obesity statistics are not as high as the media would like us to think...she found that the main financial source for obesity statistics is the billion dollar diet industry. These slanted statistics that are funded by this industry are as far reaching as a newspaper and a college textbook...this is not to say that obesity isnt an issue, it is just that the rate is not as high as the diet industry and the media would like us to think. also, the more people mess up their metabolism through dieting the more eating disorders and weight gain we will see, thus continuing the 'need' for diet products...and just in case you decide to come back with a retort that people need to get over themselves I will also add that the reasons behind eating disorders (including obesity) are extremely far reaching. and painful-things running as deep as childhood trauma,rape, assault, etc...and the eating disorder is a way to deal with the pain for these individuals..I suggest that you take a look at some of the deaths of models from eating disorders that are barely heard about in the media on about.com and also you tube which should clear up any misunderstanding for you...
trica said 2:09AM on 4-18-2008
Obviously no one has ever told you what the next step after obesity is......like duh
Jules said 10:00PM on 4-17-2008
If you only knew the truth there domboy. It is actually healthier to have a little extra weight on your body then not near enough. anorexia, is a form of starvation, and there is nothing minor about that. without treatment anorexia will kill its victims, end of story.
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Carm said 10:38PM on 4-17-2008
I agree that bulimia, anorexia, etc are all very important and should not be thought of as an unimportant problem, but I do feel otherwise about obesity. Having a few extra pounds on your body (as I do) is not the same as being obese. Several people in my family are severly obese and fight with their food addiction every day and it is very similar to the way bulimia and anorexia work. It is psychological and an operation wont fix the problem, also my sister had the very "simple" operation and later died from complications. I think the other person domut boy did not put things correctly: anorexia and bulimia are terrible terrible eating disorders, but I wouldn't look at obesity in a nice way either. They are all about control thats it.
pinus1 said 10:10PM on 4-17-2008
It would be good, perhaps, if America did this. Focus takes too many calls about young girls who have serious problems with this. They could use help: www.focusas.com
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serenity9264 said 2:36AM on 4-18-2008
oh i agree!! Whoo for France!! What courage and strength that takes to stand up like that. I Applaud them, and respect their decision of the highest.
Pro Anna serves one purpose, (coming from a previous sufferer of the disorder myself) To support Anorexia, And that IS Wrong.
The world needs to grow and start seeing the beauty in all different types of women. Its so hard for young girls to have the immense pressure to be 'sickly thin..' It is awful on them..
I find France to have done a noble and wonderful thing..
Girls with eating disorders should just support each-other in being healthy, or at least 'living a 'semi' healthy' lifestyle..
Pro Anna websites DO NOT incourage girls to relax down a bit on their eating disorders: They give them ammunition to go stronger and harder.. Sure they dont tell eachother they are "fat", they tell each other, "Oh no, oh my gosh, you are SO much skinnier than i am, look at all this fat i have on my sides," FIshing for complements for themselves, and Sadly, giving the other girl the encouragement she needs in an vague and ambiguous way to continue to become Skinnier. As twisted as it is, thats just the mind of an eating disorder.
No matter what girls may say to cover up, pro anna does Not save lives: it ruins them.. It almost ruined mine. and trust me, i still struggle with it.
People with eating disorders are Not Victims. ESPECIALLY Pro-Anna users: It is a Choice. But, people with Eating Disorders are usually very sensitive to their surroundings and have a hard time coping, in thus they consider themselves 'victims'. Unless they are so malnourished to the point their brain isnt functioning properly: they have the choice.
no matter what anyone says, they have the choice. I was hospitalized for my eating disorder, than continued treatment for another two years after. I fought everything, i lived pro anna and played every trick in the book, almost being hospitalized two other times except I begged not to be. Honestly; i should have been.. What i am saying is that when i choose to stop loosing weight: as hard as it was, i did it. I prayed and that was it. (After my hospital experiences i Still have massive fears of doctors.)
So in the end, Eating disorders are like infections, the more you spread it, the more people get infected. Pro Anna is Not what eating disorder 'personas' will tell you it is. They are lies. Pro Anna encourages ED.
I apologise if i offended anyone with my entry, i mean not to displease.
I fully support France, they are very noble for their act. God Bless.
jorelicious_07 said 9:56AM on 4-18-2008
miss independent? she is super Mentally retarded...with the IQ of 10 "have mercy" ...u wanna die from anorexia go ahead and go ALONE!...dumbass..
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Bruce Robbins said 11:51PM on 4-17-2008
People thinking about using bulimia to lose weight shouls seriously consider some of the consequences, such as:
Loss of vital minerals and electrolites - Metabolic disturbances - Erosion and discoloration of tooth enamel from stomach acid - Tooth decay, gum disease, mouth ulcers - Inflamed glands resulting in a "chipmunk" or "moon" face - Impaired mental functioning - Lowered resistance to infections - Severe muscle spasms - Esophagus damage
Permanent organ damage - Heart attack
High incidence of drug and alcohol addiction
Co-occurrence of clinical depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder ---Maybe France should require this message posted on those websites much as the Surgeon General's warnings on cigarettes
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Girl said 1:08AM on 4-18-2008
Being an American girl who is part of one of these sites, I think that the French government is doing girls who are truly suffering a great injustice.
Please, I do NOT advocate the disorder, I would NEVER try to hurt a healthy girl or boy by trying to get them to restrict or fast.
But the support that some of these groups provide has saved lives. I know firsthand that is has done just that.
The groups give ED victims the chance to see that they are not alone in a very lonely disease.
For a bunch of politicians who have probably never experience and ED to make a decision like this that will effect so many people is unfortunate.
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REASON said 2:13AM on 4-18-2008
I'm sorry but you're nuts, and this is exactly why legal action is coming up against this type of site. I was disgusted the first time I saw on of them about 5 years ago. The information posted on these sites is nothing but harmful, and encourages getting deeper and deeper into your eating disorder, not helping anyone as you insist.
There are other avenues for reaching out and they are NOT hosted by sites that advocate living off of lettuce and then putting in your mouthpiece and trachtrube in to vomit up the ten calories you ate that day, followed by smelling a sugar-free gum wrapper for dessert... THAT'S AN ACTUAL POST, not me trying to be funny. It's a severe mental health issue and it needs to be dealt with NOW. Not to mention the 'look' they encourage so many to model themselves after is absolutely nasty... I couldn't find you one guy who is into that type of figure on a female... and I know a LOT of guys.
Marcus said 12:07AM on 4-18-2008
France should be worrying about all the muslims taking over their country. Actually who gives a crap what France does?
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jamie p. said 12:21AM on 4-18-2008
Some of you are right. They need to spend more time trying to cure obesity. But you know what? That would reach into too many company's pocketbooks. There's too much money to be made on the fat and unhealthy.
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Michelle said 12:40AM on 4-18-2008
WHAT!?!
I think thats unbelievably stupid. That quote is from the letter from ana, one person wrote it a long time ago and sometimes we talk about it, but they make it sound like members just go around telling each other they are fat. It's actualy the opposite. No one on the pro-ana sites have been encouraging this. Whenever someone new comes on we try to convince them to not even start. A web site cannot give you a disease. People who go to those sites are already sick. If it wasn't for the support of these websites I probably wouldn't be alive right now.
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PG said 12:59AM on 4-18-2008
Many people that are young in this generation do not know Karen Carpenter (a singer with a lovely voice) -- but most of Hollywood's music industry sat by and watched her starve herself to DEATH and they knew exactly what she was doing -- they felt they had gotten the best out of her (sales and album wise) and did not want to continue paying her I guess -- whatever the case -- she died of CARDIAC ARREST from weakened heart muscle due to starvation -- ironically, obesity is causing heart attack in people VERY YOUNG these days -- (google "man has heart attack at 32 years old" - it was due to obesity) -- both extremes KILL - maybe obesity kills slower -- but it will kill you eventually -- we need healthy food and balance -- and the FDA in America should be ashamed of themselves (read up on GRASS FED BEEF verses CORN and GRAIN FED BEEF -- and Omega 6 fatty acids -- it will SHOCK many of you if you don't already know) -- and NO vegetarianism will not let you live to 120 years old (we should be able to you know).
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