Black Friday

Before you go out and start shopping...

1. Find the ads: This is where it all begins. You can find scans of advertisements and other information from major retailers on a variety of sites, like bfads.net, blackfriday.info, and blackfriday.gottadeal.com, but my personal favorite Black Friday information source has been SlickDeals.net. SlickDeals.net has a constantly updated page with uploaded scans of all major Black Friday ads (located here), and the website also created a comprehensive Excel spreadsheet (located here) organizing all Black Friday items into one neat place, so getting a quick overview of items and prices won't require having to scan through tons of color ad pages. Once you've gotten a general idea of what you're interested in buying...

2. Prioritize your list: It's probably impossible to get every single thing that you want on Black Friday (I know it is for me), so prioritize your items so you know exactly what you're getting and where you're getting it. Try to have a printed list on hand with model numbers and prices for reference, because it's going to be hard to remember what's going on amidst all of the chaos.

3. Learn the rules: Many stores are having special store hours specifically for Black Friday. For instance, Best Buy, Sears, Circuit City, and Wal-Mart locations will be opening at 5:00am, while Kmart, Target, Meijer, and a few others will be opening at 6:00am. Additionally, some stores will be giving out tickets/vouchers several hours before opening, so be sure you know exactly what to expect before you you head out. Also, knowing the number of units in stock can be helpful—most ads usually print store minimums for reference, or if you're really hot for an item, scope out the store just before closing the night before, find the exact item's location, and remember it or stash it in a secret location.

4. Coordinate with others: If you can, go with at least one friend or family member. Not only will it help pass the time in the wee hours of the night, but having a friend/ally will also help you be able to pick up hot sale items, and they'll also be able to hold your place in line while if you should ever need a bathroom/food/random break. If you want "doorbuster" sale items from multiple locations, coordinate a "Strike Team" with other Black Friday adventurers to divide and conquer. Strength in numbers is always nice to have on your side. Additionally, if you can, try and make friends with others in line. This will not only help pass the time, but it will also keep order and will keep "line-jumping" to a minimum.

5. Pack accordingly: If you're thinking about waiting in line with just a coat, think again. As someone who has done many overnight camp-outs, I have to personally recommend that you bring a fold-out chair, a blanket, something to do (Nintendo DS or PSP is nice, or you can go old school with a book), snacks, and water. Trust me, if you're comfortable, the time will pass much faster, and you'll have a much better experience to remember.

So Thankful....

hey all,

What an amazing week. Sharathon was a huge success!!!! Because of you over 600,000 was raised. Thank you so much!

Watch Out!!!

Last night I got a funny phone call. A credit agency said that I owed one of there clients a couple thousand dollars. Wait a minute stop the truck!!! After getting some details from them I learned that it was a debt I had over 15 years ago. After doing some more research I found that the company had closed down and written off the debt almost ten years ago. How was I able to find out this information .... by knowing what was on my credit report. It's free for any one to get a credit report once a year and here's the site https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

Sharathon!!!!

Caedmon's Call has donated an autographed guitar to help us raise money for Sharathon!!!! It's on ebay right now just copy and paste this link!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220313553306

Sharathon Pre Kick off offer

We're making plans for this special on-air event, when we'll thank God for all He's done through the ministry of SOS over the last year, and we'll ask Him to move listeners to give the finances we'll need to go into 2009 strong and ready to follow His great plans.

During the time leading up to Sharathon, we're asking you to be part of the Pre-Sharathon Jumpstart and help us go into this amazing three days with a strong start! Would you think about giving an early gift?

Right now, for a commitment of at least $30/month or a single gift of at least $360, received by November 18th, you'll become a member of the Pre-Sharathon Jumpstart. That's just a dollar a day to impact thousands of listeners every week through SOS! And as our way of saying, “Thanks,” we'll send you the WOW Hits 2009 CD!!

I am such a bad blogger

Hey all, sorry it's been awhile but life has been crazy. God is so amazing, Vanessa and I just bought our first home. We are so excited!!!! Things will be getting back to normal now. Hope all is well in your world and please pray that God's will would be done during Sharathon 2008.