The Cheapertons execute their shopping plan

By Mark Sweetwood

By now, you should have had plenty of time to devour turkey and advertising inserts in equal parts.

You now know what stores open when. You know what to buy and for whom. Armed with your list, you should be ready to search out and bag those Black Friday deals with amazing efficiency

Like you, Bill and Roberta Cheaperton are ready for the big day (in fact, Bill used a vacation day so he could take part in the fun). They've set a $550 Friday budget (roughly $500 plus extra for tax, etc.) for their family including son, Josh, 8, and Tiffany, 10, but have also informed the extended family they just plan to exchange well wishes (and maybe some cookies) given the economic times. They are prepared to spend a few dollars in ensuing weeks as they see how the sales unfold but they are prepared to finish 80-90 percent of their holiday shopping on Friday.

The Cheapertons have a plan: A large gift for the entire family to promote togetherness and the real meaning of the season with the rest of the funds augmenting Santa's visit. They own a Wii and have decided against the costly Playstation3 this year.

Josh wants Guitar Hero; toys, including Hot Wheels and some football stuff (his favorite team is the Browns, which is probably Bill's fault); and super hero movies.

Tiffany wants an iPod, anything to do with hannah Montana or High School Musical, clothes, stuffed animals and other toys, and a cool alarm clock.

Now, the Cheapertons have split their list. Bill is going to be at Dick's Sporting Goods at 5 a.m. armed with his coupons from Thursday's Vindicator. He's going to grab the Ice Breaker Air Hockey game for the family gift and save 50 percent getting it for $99.98. While he's there, he's going to use another coupon to grab a Nike Open Field football for $14.98 for young Josh.

Spent: $115.

The Cheapertons' neighbor, Ned, is going to help the family out. Since he'll be in line all night for a Wii at Circuit City, he's going to grab the Wii Guitar Hero bundle for $55 for young Josh as well as the "Iron Man" and "Incredible Hulk" movies ($18).

New total: $188.

Roberta is going to begin her day at Wal-Mart at 5 a.m. The family had considered the cool deal at Toys R Us that would have had them netting a 16GB iPod for Tiffany and a $50 gift card for other gifts, but that just pushed the budget too much. Instead, she is going to buy the RCA 8GB Music/Video player at Wal-Mart ($49), the accessory kit ($10), a 2-foot Minnie Mouse for Tiffany ($10), a Hot Wheels 10-pack for Josh ($5), High School Musical-themed shirts and other clothes plus jeans and jammies for Tiffany ($58), matching Ohio State hoodies for the family ($24) a Dark Knight Stealth Launch Batmobile for Josh ($20) and a Monopoly game for the family ($10).

New total: $374.

On the way to his next stop, Bill stopped into Walgreens to grab Webkinz BOGO for $6.99.

New total: $381.

Bill is at Target next. He picks up: A Hot Wheels Four-Lane Raceway for Josh ($10), the games "Operation" and "Apples to Apples" for the kids to share ($20) and the new sleeping bag Tiffany wants for sleepovers ($8).

New total: $419.

Roberta is at Kmart next for the Hannah Montana bed set ($43), Rock ’Em Sock 'Em Robots for Josh ($8), High School Musical Dance Mat for Tiffany ($20), and two Hannah Montana fashion dolls ($15).

New total: $505

Bill, meanwhile, hit Rite Aid for the Vextra digital music-friendly clock radio for Tiffany ($10).

New total: $515.

It's 11 a.m. and they are pretty much done. And their spending was pretty darned average and on target.

So, for the entire family: air hockey, hoodies and Monopoly.

Josh will enjoy: Guitar Hero, a football, Hot Wheel cars and a track, a Batmobile, a Webkinz, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, two DVDs.

Tiffany will enjoy: the RCA digital music player and kit, Minnie Mouse, clothes, a Webkinz, a sleeping bag, bed set, dance game, dolls.

The kids get to share: Two board games.

Not a bad haul and some respectable savings. In ensuing weeks, Bill and Roberta will probably augment the gifts with some stocking stuffers, a couple of books and maybe some socks. All in all, their hard work is done.

How good will you do tomorrow? Let me know here at the blog or e-mail me at msweetwood@vindy.com.

Have a great time!

Mark M. Sweetwood is managing editor of The Vindicator.