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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
laughingcrow said 9:34PM on 3-23-2009
I'm a staunch supporter of church/state separation, and also strongly in favor of Transcendental Meditation being practiced by at-risk schoolchildren (even in schools) or by anyone else who wishes to benefit.
The David Lynch Foundation is not defining "Change Begins Within" as a concert to "raise millions to introduce 'TM/Quiet Time' into public schools." The DLF Website states the purpose as follows:
"The David Lynch Foundation provides funds for students to learn to meditate through TM teaching centers, hospital-sponsored wellness programs, boys and girls clubs, before- and after-school programs, and in schools when invited by the administration. Instruction is voluntary and is provided to a child with the permission of a parent and with no cost to the family, organization, or school."
This concert is NOT an attempt to introduce TM to the public school system. It is to raise funds to teach 1 million kids to meditate--in TM centers or through any organizations that request TM. Any school that wishes to implement a TM program can approach the Foundation or the local TM center for information, but it is for a school to decide if they want an in-school program, just as it is for the parents and students to decide on their participation. All TM in-school programs are by invitation from the school and parents.
Meditation may be the best thing to spend money on for our kids. Just look at the scientific research verifying TM's benefits, and check out what researchers from medical schools and doctors are saying at www.DoctorsonTM.org . The NIH has so far spent $24 million researching TM's effects on brain function and cardiovascular health, and the grants keep coming.
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DrCat said 4:13PM on 3-25-2009
If David Lynch wants to so something to help the children of the world have more inner peace, less stress and improve their academic performance – more power to him. I have never seen his movies (how he expresses himself as an artist), but that seems irrelevant to his desire to help children grow up more peacefully in a more peaceful world.
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Toni said 1:34PM on 3-27-2009
As an educator I applaud the David Lynch Foundation for taking the initiative to raise funds for a project that will reduce stress and promote progress in the lives of young people all over the world. I have been practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique for over 36 years. I know how effective it is in increasing mental clarity, improving health, and enhancing social relationships. We are living in fortunate times.
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Silvia said 4:01PM on 3-29-2009
My children both learned Transcendental Meditation a few years ago, and they have absolutely blossomed with it. My husband and I keep noticing how they are mentally clear, emotionally grounded, and just overall happy people. Both of them tend to make good decisions, especially as they are moving through the teenage years. Transcendental Meditation is one of the best investments we could have made in their future.
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