Season for Shopping

Some of the biggest shopping days of the year are right around the corner. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, there are great deals and sales happening almost every week. It's the perfect time to stock up on holiday gifts as well as anything you need for the home, or things you just want to have.

I've found that I can find the best deals on everything I want, from my favorite Apple Bottoms jeans to new silverware, if I get prepared for shopping season. One of the major advantages of this is that I don't have to deal with large crowds of shoppers, bad traffic, and no parking only to find that the things I really wanted are sold out by the time I get there.

Here are some great ideas for making the most of your seasonal shopping:

- Do your research. A lot of stores advertise their deals online early, which allows you to plan ahead and decide who has the deals you don't want to miss. They also post their opening hours, which is helpful to know.

- Get there early. The really good deals go very quickly. If you're looking to buy a big ticket item, be prepared to get up early and be there when the store opens.

- Have a plan. Make a list of the advertised specials you want to get. That way, you're not wandering around spending money you hadn't planned to spend and you can go straight to the specials you want the most.

- Don't forget online shopping. If you're not one to brave the crowds, the Internet has just as many great deals as you would get from the store. Often, they will throw in free shipping as well.

These tips will help you make the most of your holiday shopping.