Black Friday shoppers this year preferred instant cash over credit cards. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

Black Friday shoppers used more cash than credit cards. As the need to keep debt levels down came into sharp focus over the past couple years, Americans have been learning the value of only using their own money. In fact, use of fast cash increased by 50 percent.

More using instant cash than credit cards

Black Friday is usually one of the biggest binges for use of credit cards. Black Friday shoppers fill malls and stores nationwide, trying to score great stuff at rock bottom prices. Fewer people, however, are willing to forgo the use of their payday cash in hand in lieu of adding to their debt burden with credit cards. It’s better, after all, to cut back and maybe skip buying the new iPod for a week or two, rather than get out the VISA, MasterCard or Discover and wind up running for a payday loan come January. Not only are Americans aware of that, they are starting to leave the cards alone, according to Reuters. A study by America’s Research Group and UBS estimated that only 16.3 percent of Black Friday shoppers used credit cards on Black Friday 2010, whereas 30.9 percent did in 2009.

More responsible purchases

Not only did fewer people send themselves running for payday loans and hurtling down the road to needing debt relief from credit cards,  they also cut back on how much they spent. This year, the average amount paid per purchase — with the rise in use of cash, checks and debit cards — was about $41 per purchase, compared to $87 per transaction with credit cards. Consumer spending overall is up, and it appears that it is mostly responsible spending.

Most debt is bad

Debt is not such a great thing. More people seem to be getting acutely aware of this idea. People restraining themselves from getting massive installment loans from the card companies, and saving up for big purchases is an incredibly healthy thing.

Sources

Reuters

(Photo: grumble_bum/Flickr/CC BY-SA)

Before you go hunting for the best door-busters on Black Friday 2010, do some research. If you want the best deals, you’re going to have to plan ahead and create a game plan for the year’s biggest shopping event. Here are some Black Friday shopping tips to help you get the most out of this season.

Black Friday Tip No. 1: Do your homework

The first Black Friday shopping tip is don’t venture into the mob of crazy shoppers unprepared. Figure out exactly how much you can afford to spend. Factor in all your monthly expenses, such as food, utilities, gas, rent, etc. Once you have a reasonable dollar amount in place, make sure to stick to it. Next, go online and search for Black Friday coupons and ads. Keep in mind that sometimes listings may only tell you how much you can save on an item, not how much it is actually worth. So be very careful while you shop and pay close attention to store offerings and prices.

Black Friday Tip No. 2: Don’t forget the little guys

When it comes to Black Friday, shoppers are easily swayed by the door-buster deals offered at major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy. But as BlackFriday.info puts it, shoppers will “need to get in line Wednesday night” to get their hands on their biggest Black Friday shopping discounts. With national press and an extensive list of Black Friday ads, it’s no wonder these stores are able to attract an endless flow of determined, impatient shoppers. However, you can skip the long lines and head to smaller retail stores like Office Depot, Radio Shack, Office Max and Sam’s Club, to name a few. The shopping experience is much more pleasant, as you won’t have to wait in lines quite as long or deal with over-stressed shoppers and staff.

Black Friday Tip No. 3: Black Friday shopping online

If you would rather avoid the whole shopping madness altogether, consider the option to shop online for Black Friday 2010. Many retailers are changing the face of Black Friday traditions, offering many of their discounted items directly online. What’s even more exciting is that you don’t have to wait till the actual day to start saving on the best buys. So get online and get a head start.

Shop online on Black Friday 2010

Many retailers are turning things up a notch for Black Friday 2010, offering customers the convenient option to shop online for many items on sale. Many stores are breaking this long, holiday shopping tradition even further by offering these deals before Black Friday. Retailers such as Best Buy, Macy’s and Radio Shack are offering their Black Friday deals online, available to shoppers starting Thursday, Thanksgiving Day. Amazon.com is already releasing some of its hottest deals — and you don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving or Black Friday 2010 to shop online and save money, not to mention escape hassles and stress.

Online statistics

According to the New York Times, shoppers spent $318 million online on Thanksgiving last year. That’s an increase of more than 10 percent compared to the year before. The next day, $595 million was spent on Black Friday, an increase of 11 percent. Many experts believe that these online figures will be even greater this year and only continue to grow in coming years.

Shop online and stay toasty

Considering all the Thanksgiving dinner preparation and clean-up, the last thing you want is to stay up all night just to make sure you are among the first in line at your local departments stores. For those who live in cities with harsh cold-weather conditions, the Black Friday shopping experience is even worse. So, instead of waiting in the blistering cold and jostling among rude shoppers, you may want to consider the option to shop online for Black Friday 2010.

Sources

Yahoo! Finance / The New York Times

The best holiday saving deals may all be at Amazon.com. (Photo: MIKI Yoshihito/Flickr/CC-BY)

You don’t have to wait until Black Friday 2010 to take advantage of some of the sweetest deals this holiday season. Skip the long lines and head to Amazon.com today and save bundles on the items you’ve been saving for all year long. Keep in mind that many of the Amazon Black Friday 2010 items are on limited-supply, so don’t wait till the last minute to get your cart filled.

Amazon Black Friday 2010 ads

Amazon Black Friday 2010 ads are out, and shoppers won’t have to wait to start saving on their holiday buys. Amazon.com is searching for the best holiday savings deals out there with one purpose in mind: Beat out other store prices and unleash a list of items offered at ridiculously low prices.

Looking to get a new flat-screen HDTV for your home or office? With these Amazon Black Friday deals, you can get a Samsung 32-Inch HDTV for as low as $329.99, a savings of $170. What about a Blu-ray disc player to go with your new flat-screen TV? Wal-Mart is offering LG Blu-ray disc players for as low as $188 — not bad, considering most are priced at about $250 or more. However, at Amazon you can save even more on an LG Blu-ray player with Wi-Fi NetCast intergration — for only $151.92.

More Amazon Black Friday 2010 deals

Electronics

• Archos 5 500 GB Internet Tablet with Android — $309.99 (save $190)
• Coby 1.44-Inch TFT LCD SNAPP Mini Camcorder/Camera — $19.99 (save $26)
• Pioneer TS-A6993R 6-Inch X 9-Inch, 460-Watt 5-Way Speakers — $69.99 (save $110)
• TomTom XL 340TM 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator — $119.99 (save $109)

Sports and Outdoors

• Sonocaddie Auto Play Golf GPS — $178.11 (save $201.88)
• Top-Flite XL 13-Piece Complete Golf Club Set — $168.72 (save $70.28)
• Teton Sports Fox 75+10L Internal Frame Backpack — $63.81 (save $66.18)

Health and personal care

• Dr. Scholl’s DRMA7802 Hot and Cold Foot Massager — $44.98 (save $25.01)
• Wahl 4296 Deluxe Wand Full-size Massager — $29.77 (save $16.22)
• LGMedSupply LG-3000 Basic Tens Unit With 3 Treatment Modes — $24.69 (save $65.30)

Be a smart holiday shopper

If you want to save even more money this holiday season, be a smart shopper. Don’t settle too quick on the first offer. Shop around and compare prices. You never know what you’ll find or how much more you can save by taking your time to shop. Fortunately, with these Amazon Black Friday 2010 deals, you get started early before the holiday stampede rushes through.

Source

Amazon.com

No credit check personal loans for people with bad credit

Having a lowered credit score due to hard times doesn’t make you a criminal. Sometimes, emergencies come up, leaving us in a bad situation and causing our credit scores to suffer. If you have had some tough times and are now working your way back toward a better balance in your finances, no credit check personal loans can help. These are loans for people with bad credit. The entire process can be done online, and you can have access to your money within hours, allowing you the fast opportunity to take advantage of Black Friday 2010 deals.

How no credit check personal loans work

These online loans can be deposited directly into your account for your personal use, typically within just a few hours of approval. No credit check personal loans allow you flexible payment options, meaning you don’t have to pay off the entire loan on your very next payday. Speak to your lender directly to ensure a proper payment plan is in place. Simply start the application below and we’ll get right to work to find the lender that fits you best.

Saving money on Black Friday 2010

No credit check personal loans will allow you the freedom to shop around for black Friday deals and save hundreds of dollars on a purchase you already need to make. You can have the cash you need fast, sometimes within just two hours.

Apply for No Credit Check Personal Loans | Start HERE!

Black Friday is by far the biggest shopping day in the United States. Some say it is named “Black Friday” because it’s the first day of the year that retail stores get out of the “red” and actually make a profit. I don’t know about you, but I am taking out a payday loan for this year’s Black Friday shopping, and here’s why.

Is a payday loan really good for shopping?

Under normal circumstances, I would never recommend a payday loan to shop, with the exception of Black Friday. Year after year I see people stress over their finances, particularly around this time of year. They make one of a few choices: they either put off bills to do their shopping, incurring late fees and a bad record, they overdraft their bank accounts to buy an on-sale item that may not likely be on sale again, they run up huge credit card bills with reoccurring monthly interest and spend the whole next year paying it off, or they miss out on the savings they could have had on Black Friday and, instead, spend more money than they could have saved. These are the main reasons that I would actually recommend a payday cash advance loan for your Black Friday shopping. When you are all out of options, it may be the best solution for saving money this holiday season.

How do I get a payday loan?

Getting a payday loan is a lot simpler and more secure than most people think. All you have to do is apply right here, and you will have an answer within minutes. Online payday loans are safe and secure, and nobody needs to know you applied. If you have a job, are a U.S. citizen, have a bank account and are 18 or older, you already meet the main requirements. When I took out a payday loan last, not only was I approved in minutes, I had the money directly deposited into my bank account in the same day. They didn’t run my credit, but instead used my work history as a reference. I would recommend these loans to anyone trying to find creative ways to get money for Black Friday. If it can help you save money in the long run, do not hesitate to apply.

Apply for a payday loan online | Start HERE!

Kenmore Washer/Dryer Combo at Sears for $579.98! (Photo via Editor, Flickr.com)

The Kenmore washer/dryer combo at Sears is one of the hottest Black Friday offerings this year. If you’re looking to get a new washer and/or dryer, this may be the best time to make your purchase, and it’s definitely worth getting a cash advance. You can get a Kenmore 3.5-cubic-foot high-efficiency washer and 5.8-cubic foot dryer pair for only $579.98. That’s a savings of 55% at a standard retail store! It’s almost like a Buy 1 Get 1 Free offering.

The Joy of Having Your Own Washer and Dryer

Having a handy washer and dryer is one of the main things new homebuyers look for in a home. Many of us are busy, hardworking individuals that are always on the run. The last thing we want is to be held back because of a dirty pile of laundry.

There’s no joy like the joy of having your own washer and dryer at home. You no longer have to endure the long tiresome hours at the Laundromat or wait for someone to get their dried laundry out of the dryer just to start your load. You simply head down to the basement, or where ever else you have your laundry appliance situated, and start washing away with a click of button. It’s as simple and convenient as getting a cash advance online.

More Sears Black Friday Deals – while supplies last

Keep in mind that most Black Friday deals are offered through limited supply. Not everyone will be able to bag the best Black Friday bargains that appear in merchants’ circulars. Just about every groundbreaking offering for Black Friday will either say “While supplies last,” “Minimum 3 per store,” “No raincheck,” “All items are available in limited quantities,” or something of the sort.

For instance, Sears will also offer hot deals on the Samsung 40-inch 1080p LCD HDTV for just $599.99. The normal cost for this TV runs anywhere from $700 to $1,000, depending on the source. However, not everyone will be able to get their hands on this hot Black Friday offering at Sears. Although Sears Black Friday ads 2009 have not yet officially released, Sears has confirmed the Black Friday cost for Samsung 40-inch 1080p LCD HDTVs, but, wait for it… “Only while quantities last, minimum three per store, no rainchecks.”

Black Friday 2009: Shop with Caution

Don’t kick yourself in the head if Black Friday supplies run out. Of course, things can get really annoying when that special something you had high hopes for suddenly disappears. Such short supply on incredible Black Friday deals is not only irritating, it can get extremely dangerous. Remember what happened at Wal-Mart during last year’s Black Friday revelry? A store employee died after an out-of-control mob of Black Friday shoppers rushed in, literally as soon the doors came off the hinges.

So be careful this Black Friday and shop with caution. Your life and well-being is a lot more valuable than Sears’ Black Friday offerings on Samsung TVs and the Kenmore washer and dryer combo, or any amount of cash advance for that matter.

(Photo: Wikimedia.org)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Start your holiday savings now! It’s the perfect time to start your holiday shopping budget (if you have not yet already) and take advantage of hot deals offerings for Black Friday 2009. Tons of Black Friday Ads have leaked on the internet like Wal-Mart Black Friday ads 2009. Although many major retailers have not yet officially released details of their 2009 Black Friday ads it’s obviously getting a lot of people excited. I mean, what’s better than saving money during the holidays?

Before you can settle on any item, however, you must first search and compare different offerings in order to uncover the best Black Friday deals. Like I said earlier, Black Friday Ads 2009 can easily be found on the internet. So avoid the last minute need of a payday loan and start researching!

Wal-Mart Black Friday Ads 2009 – Blackberries Galore!

Get a free $100 gift card on any Blackberry purchase! (Photo via Honou, Flickr.com)

Wal-Mart is not only great for the holidays; it’s the place to go to save money all year long. Wal-Mart Black Friday Ads 2009 have also leaked online and you won’t have to wait till the day after Thanksgiving to get a Black Friday deal. Wal-Mart Black Friday Ads 2009 will fall in effect this Saturday November 14.

Among the best holiday discounts put forth by the world’s largest retail store, Wal-Mart’s Blackberry deals are getting the most attention this year. Wal-Mart is offering a free $100 gift card on any Blackberry purchase with a 2-year contract. Much like Personal Money Market, a place that works through a wide network of lenders to eliminate the traditional hassles of getting a payday loan, consumers will not be limited to one cell phone carrier. You can choose a BlackBerry phone from all four major carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless.

Comparing Wal-Mart Blackberry Deals

Okay, so you get a free $100 gift card on any Blackberry purchase. Sounds good. But as a smart shopper, I can’t help but wonder how much money I will actually be saving with Wal-Mart’s Blackberry deal.

Well, according to several news sources, it’s a pretty sweet deal. Here are a few examples from I4U News:

AT&T BlackBerry Bold 9000 Price: $78.88
The BlackBerry Bold 9000 sells on AT&T for $199.99 after $100 mail-in rebate. Amazon charges $39.99 for the AT&T BlackBerry Bold, which is $38.89 less than Walmart charges for it. Overall with the $100 gift card you only save $61.11 on the Bold. On LetsTalk the AT&T Bold is even free with contract reducing the potential savings to $21.12.

—-

T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8520 Price: $28.88
The Curve 8520 sells on T-Mobile for $129.99. On Amazon you only pay 1c and the activation fee of $35 is currently waived. With the $100 gift card deal you save here $71.12. If Walmart charges an activation fee you have only saved $36.12.

Who needs a payday loan at this rate?

Wal-Mart Wireless on High Demand

People go to Wal-Mart for one thing: To save money. At Wal-Mart, you can find everything from the cradle to the grave… literally. Wal-Mart is now offering cheap caskets online in case you didn’t know. It’s clear, however, that Wal-Mart wireless is what’s causing the hype this year. They’re sweet phones with sweet prices. Wal-Mart Black Friday Ads 2009, however, highlights a lot more than just Blackberries. So start researching for the hottest Black Friday 2009 deals for all your holiday needs.

Many people now avoid the hassle of busy stores during the holiday season by shopping online.

Retail stores have long awaited, prepared for and depended on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, as a huge day for sales — a day that can single-handedly put them in the black. Of course, the Internet is changing the way people do everything nowadays, including shop.

Cyber Monday marks the latest shift in shopping trends. Online retailers already are preparing for Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, and the day when online shoppers kick it into high gear and start their online holiday shopping. Retailers hoping to cash in on this trend will be offering special deals on Cyber Monday.

Black Friday still black

Though Cyber Monday is becoming an increasingly popular day for online retailers to pull in fast cash, Black Friday is a big day for online sales as well. Retailers who want to make the most out of holiday shopping season would be wise to run promotions on both Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

I think it is strange that online shopping gets clustered together, and I wonder why Cyber Monday is the day people pick to do their online shopping. Online retailers operate 24/7, so why wouldn’t people get their shopping done Saturday or Sunday?

Holidays keep businesses alive

Black Friday has long been the make-it-or-break-it day for many retailers. It’s called Black Friday because it’s the day that many retailers end up “in the black” for the year.

That is, retailers begin to make a profit on Black Friday after operating at a loss for most of the year. Basically, end-of-the-year holidays are the sole reason many stores stay business.

Find Cyber Monday deals

Besides being a big moneymaker for online retailers, Cyber Monday is also a web site. You can check out all kinds of deals offered on Cyber Monday and find a plethora of online retailers at CyberMonday.com.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnal_hedge/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. But do you know what the next best thing that comes after Thanksgiving is? That’s right, it’s Black Friday! It’s the biggest shopping day of the year!

Black Friday is the day to go out and buy the things you have always wanted but couldn’t because those discount tags never showed up as you planned. I mean, people are even willing to take out a cash advance to fund this nationwide shopping event. However, it seems this yearly shopping ritual is only getting better with time. Ever heard of Cyber Monday? Well, I just did and, as a shopper and an online marketer, I’m pretty stoked.

What is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday was invented by the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association. According to Wikipedia, the term Cyber Monday refers to the Monday immediately following Black Friday, which unofficially marks the beginning of the Christmas online shopping season. So what this basically means is if you miss the Black Friday shopping hustle, you still have a chance to make it up on Monday. Cyber Monday is the Monday you will actually enjoy.

Great tip for Online Merchants

A recent Yahoo! Insights team research revealed that the number of sales during last year’s Black Friday were actually not too far from the overall sales that took place the Monday following. Click-through rates were down 27% on both days compared to the rest of the month. However, online traffic and conversions went up significantly. Black Friday showed an increase in conversions by 147%, while Cyber Monday had a 73% increase in conversions.

What does this mean for me?

This study lays out a great opportunity for online marketers. You have about 1½ months before the biggest shopping days of the year. I suggest you start promoting and investing throughout the month to create attraction. Get a head-start and take advantage of the holiday traffic now. You will witness flourishing conversions not just for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but for the rest of the holiday season.

For all you holiday shoppers on the other hand, start saving now! You are already aware of how busy and expensive holiday shopping can be. You have enough time to save a sufficient amount of money for your holiday expenses, which will prevent the need of a cash advance at the last minute.