Black Friday Deals Leaked Early

Can you believe that Black Friday is one month away?

 

Black Friday, otherwise known as the day after Thanksgiving, is the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.

 

Retailers are already gearing up and the deals are making their way to the web or leaking their way to the web.

 

So far, Sears is the first major retailer of electronics to have its Black Friday plans leaked online at certain Black Friday sites.

 

The list is long, but for instance, on November 28 you’ll be able to nab a Kodak 9.2 MP camera for $80, regularly $120. Or a TomTom GPS for $99.99 usually $150.

 

When it comes to TVs, Sears plans to sell a Samsung 50-inch plasma for $899.99.

 

To keep track, here’s the list of sites that have become famous for their Black Friday madness.

 

Bfads.net 

BlackFriday.info 

BlackFriday.Dealspl.us 

Black-Friday.net

 

Now as a disclaimer, these are very early ads from retailers, meaning that items can still be dropped or added, and prices could change.

 

And still to come are sales fliers from the other major retailers like Best Buy, Circuit City, Target, and Wal-mart.

 

New Music Site Looking for Action

 

Lala.com was one of the first sites I used for a Plugged In story a good two years ago. It originated as a CD-trading site, kind of like an ebay, but for CDs. 

 

Now the site is relaunching and is looking to compete with the big guys, sites like iTunes, Rhapsody and Amazon’s music service.

 

On the revised site you can listen to any of the 6 million tracks listed for free.

But to have unending access to a song, users will have to pay 10 cents to put songs into what the site calls a “Web locker.”

Users can also upload their own music from CDs and iTunes into their “Web locker” for free.

 

Another 79 or 89 cents allows users to download an MP3 track of the song, with no digital rights management coding.

 

The site is legit, don’t worry.  LaLa has the participation and backing of all four major record labels – Universal, Sony, Warner and EMI- along with 170,000 independents.

Dancing with the Celebrities of Pittsburgh

So if you love ABC’s Dancing with the Stars (I mean really who doesn’t?) now’s your chance to watch the local version.

 

Thirteen local celebrities are set to compete on the dance floor and it’s all to benefit diabetes research at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.

 

I’m representing WTAE along with Janelle Hall and Sheldon Ingram. Our very own Mike Clark will also be the Master of Ceremonies for the event.  

 

We’ve all been teamed with a professional instructor and are each doing different dances, but will compete for just one title.

 

The event will take place Saturday, December 6, at the David L.

Lawrence Convention Center.

 

You can come for dinner and the show or just to enjoy the show and dancing after. It’s up to you.

Check out dancingwiththecelebritiesofpgh.net for details and to reserve your seats.

Calling all Pittsburgh inventors!

If you have an invention with a connection to our great city you could win up to $20,000.

 

The contest is appropriately called Pittsburgh Innovates and it’s looking for the best of the best when it comes to inventions.

 

Maybe your idea is a new business, a game, a Web site or a robot.

 

Whatever your idea or invention is, just make sure it involves technology and has a Pittsburgh connection.

 

The contest can be entered by individual students, professor and entrepreneurs, or you can enter submissions as a team.

 

Entries may be in videos, PDF documents, photos, social networking applications, widgets, etc.

 

You can submit your innovations until October 26.

 

Then a panel of judges will decide who wins the $20,000 award to jumpstart their idea.

 

The public is also playing a role in this contest. You can log on to the site and rate your favorite invention. The most popular of the ranked entries will then win $10,000.

Budget Travel Sites

Budget-friendly websites are growing in popularity, especially as people tighten their belts. Lets face it, you want to cut back, but you don’t want to forget the vacation. There are still plenty of great travel bargains available, despite the state of our economy. In fact, last minute deals are growing and by keeping track of these sites you could save a bundle when you plan your next trip.

 

The below websites are taken from a USAToday.com article and are divided into several different categories. Enjoy.

 

AIRFARES

Airfarewatchdog.com: Relying on brain power rather than computerized algorithms, Airfarewatchdog’s site and newsletter emphasize unadvertised, time-sensitive deals, including Web-only fares. Deals are checked for availability, and the site points out when a “bargain” really isn’t.

 

Kayak.com: This streamlined search engine helps fliers find the cheapest, most convenient itineraries. Filters exclude such factors as red-eye flights, while a fee chart compares extra charges on 25 airlines. One drawback: In disagreement over how search results are displayed, American Airlines’ fares have been pulled from the site.

 

Yapta.com: Short for “your amazing personal travel assistant,” Yapta tracks airfares for specific itineraries, alerts you when prices go down, and, if you’ve already bought a ticket, helps you get a travel credit or voucher for the difference.

 

ACCOMODATIONS

Airbedandbreakfast.com: Whether it’s a spare futon, blow-up mattress (hence the name) or private apartment, the options at recently launched AirBed&Breakfast target adventuresome, cost-conscious travelers. The site lists hosts in more than 250 U.S. cities and 60 countries who rent space in their homes; credit card bookings are automated and rates average $102 per night, plus transaction fees of 5%-12%.

 

Forestcamping.com: Aimed at car, RV and tent campers, Fred and Suzi Dow’s site posts reviews of campgrounds in more than 150 U.S. national forests (all visited by the authors) with fees ranging from free to $25 per night.

 

 Hostelworld.com: Once catering largely to backpackers in bunk beds, many of the 600 North American hostels listed on Hostelworld.com offer private rooms, fresh linens, flat-screen TVs, free Internet access, meals and transportation at rates ranging from $18-$35 per person a night.

 

VRBO.com: Part of the Homeaway.com network, this “vacation rentals by owner” site concentrates on U.S. properties, from mountain cabins to oceanfront villas. Listings include availability calendars, but owners can choose not to post negative reviews.

 

DEALS/STRATEGIES

BudgetTravel.com: The online incarnation of Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel magazine mixes authoritative, expert-driven information with a growing social media component that includes reader tips and travel journals.

 

Craigslist.org:Though this popular marketplace is almost as famous for scammers as for bargains, sharp-eyed (and wary) travelers can nab deals on everything from vacation rentals to theater tickets. Tips: Buy locally from people you can meet in person whenever possible, and never wire funds.

 

Lastminute.com: Travelocity’s last-minute site lists air/hotel and air/car packages, most in North America, priced up to 70% off on departures from hours to three weeks in advance.

 

Liftopia.com: Aimed at slope-bound travelers willing to commit in advance to the days they want to ski, Liftopia.com offers discounted, non-refundable lift tickets at more than 60 alpine resorts in North America. Prices fluctuate depending on snow conditions and other factors, but average about a third below on-mountain rates.

 

Mousesavers.com: Disney fans looking for bargains gravitate here for discount codes and coupons on everything from theme-park admissions to Mary Poppins Broadway tickets.

 

CLICK HERE for the entire USAToday article including additional tips/sites on getting around and dining while on vacation.

Fighting Domestic Violence with the Help of the Black and Gold

There’s good work happening for domestic violence victims in this city!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, just in case you didn’t know. And this season, the Steelers will help cheer on a new cause.

The Allstate Foundation plans to give a $100 donation to Womansplace for every pass caught by a Steelers player. Womansplace is an organization that provides support and services to both women and their children whose lives have been affected by domestic violence.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 25 percent of women report being abused by a husband or partner in their lifetimes. And according to the experts, there aren’t enough resources and programs to assist those women and children that have been affected by abuse.

Womansplace is a fantastic organization that is truly doing some really great work. They have an amazing group of people that go above and beyond to help those whose lives have been both physically and emotionally affected by the horrific act of domestic violence.

I encourage all of you this month to learn more, not just about Womansplace, but also about domestic violence and how it affects the women and children of this country.