Black Friday in 2008 falls on November 28, the day after Thanksgiving. In addition to being one of the busiest shopping days of the year, it marks the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season. Black Friday 2008 marks the first year that online retailers will be offering similar markdowns to brick-and-mortar shops.Time: Can Retailers Get Consumers into the Christmas Spirit? (November 1, 2008)

The four day Thanksgiving weekend allows many holiday shoppers the extra time to visit the stores, but the crowds can make the experience painful. Check out Mahalo's Black Friday Tips and our How to Organize Holiday Shopping pages before you brave the stores this Black Friday.

• Plan ahead and make a budgetFatWallet: Black Friday Tips Forum
• Bring Black Friday ads with youFatWallet: Black Friday Tips Forum
• Fill up your car's gas tank ahead of timeFatWallet: Black Friday Tips Forum
• Wear supportive footgearFatWallet: Black Friday Tips Forum

• WalletPop: Black Friday Ads Leaked... (October 29, 2008)