Here's your homework for the week: scope out the Black Friday sites for store ads and online deals, make your list, check it twice, then go play Santa.

The days of haphazard holiday shopping are long gone. The economy and technology have made it necessary and relatively easy to save on each purchase. There's really no excuse for buying at the listed retail price, unless you are Donald Trump.

Your first stop should be the sites that post the Black Friday sale ads in advance and provide info on online discounts. I've got my old standby Black Friday sites that are listed below. But I know you've got your favorites, too, so please share the joy.

Standard disclaimer: check the Hawaii prices since they may differ from what's posted on these national sites:

• bfads.net - Bfads has posted Black Friday ads for stores like Walmart and Macy's, among others. It also has info on pre-Black Friday sales and links to deals like a $80 Guitar Hero 5 bundle.

• BlackFriday.info - As with other sites, you can sign up for alerts when new Black Friday ads are posted. Sports Authority's ad is posted here, including the doorbusters.

•  blackfriday.fm - This site has posted the Best Buy Black Friday specials. We're in the market for a HDTV, so this flyer will be closely scrutinized.

• dealnews.com -  Target's and Costco's ads are posted here. This site also has  a list of stores that are willing to match their competitors' Black Friday prices. Great if you are braving the malls.

• bradsdeals.com - Not a true Black Friday site, but a good spot to find recommended deals at discount.

• Black Friday 2009 - Companion site to bradsdeals, the site has the KMart and Sears ads posted and the opening hours for the stores.

* blackfriday.gottadeal.com - A recommendation from reader Eric. The Toys R Us and Radio Shack ads are available here. A rising sun icon alerts you to the early-bird specials.

Tags: advertisements, Black Friday, online sites, shopping

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 1:39 am and is filed under Hawaii Hacks, Personal Finance, Web sites. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.