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Black Friday 2024: The Best Deals, Store Hours, and Shopping Tips

The biggest shopping event of the year is here – Black Friday 2024! Known for incredible discounts across all categories, Black Friday offers shoppers the opportunity to snag deals on everything from tech gadgets and clothing to home essentials. With retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more rolling out competitive sales, this year’s event promises to deliver significant savings. Whether you’re looking for bargains under $25 or planning to make bigger purchases, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of Black Friday 2024.

Top Black Friday Deals to Grab Right Now

If you’re hunting for great bargains, there’s no shortage of deals this year. Yahoo Lifestyle has highlighted some of the best Black Friday deals under $25, perfect for budget-conscious shoppers or stocking stuffers. Here are a few must-have items:

1. Amazon: Discounts on gadgets like smart plugs, phone accessories, and Echo Dot devices for under $25.

2. Target: Affordable home goods, including cozy throws, candles, and kitchen gadgets.

3. Walmart: Toy discounts and deals on small appliances, such as air fryers and coffee makers, all priced under $25.

These deals show that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy Black Friday—small-ticket items can bring great value!

Black Friday Store Hours: When to Shop

Timing is everything on Black Friday, and knowing store hours is key to snagging the best deals before they sell out. According to USA Today, here’s a quick rundown of major retailers’ schedules:

• Walmart: Doors open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday, with online deals starting earlier in the week.

• Target: Stores open at 7 a.m., while their online sales are already live.

• Best Buy: Opens at 5 a.m. for tech enthusiasts.

• Macy’s: Starts welcoming shoppers at 6 a.m., offering huge discounts on fashion and home goods.

For those who prefer online shopping, most major retailers have extended their Black Friday sales into Thanksgiving week, making it easier than ever to shop from home.

The Best Sales Across Categories: Highlights for 2024

Black Friday isn’t just about finding deals—it’s about finding the best deals, and this year, retailers are offering steep discounts across every category. Here are some of the top highlights from People, broken down by category:

Tech and Electronics

• Apple Products: Major discounts on AirPods, Apple Watches, and MacBooks at retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart. Some items are marked down as much as 30%.

• TVs: Brands like Samsung, LG, and TCL are offering 4K and OLED TVs at record-low prices, with deals starting under $300 for select models.

• Smart Home Devices: Amazon is leading the pack with deals on Alexa-enabled devices, including Echo Dots, Fire Sticks, and Ring Doorbells.

Fashion and Apparel

• Athleisure: Brands like Lululemon and Nike are offering up to 50% off popular items, including leggings, sneakers, and hoodies.

• Winter Wear: Retailers such as Macy’s and Nordstrom have markdowns on coats, boots, and scarves to prepare you for the season ahead.

• Everyday Apparel: Affordable fashion is everywhere, with Gap, Old Navy, and Target slashing prices by 40–60% on basics like jeans, t-shirts, and jackets.

Home and Kitchen

• Small Appliances: Walmart and Target are offering unbeatable deals on air fryers, Instant Pots, and coffee makers, with some items under $50.

• Furniture: Wayfair’s Black Friday sale includes massive discounts on sofas, beds, and dining sets, with savings of up to 70%.

• Holiday Decor: Home Depot and Lowe’s are helping shoppers prepare for the festive season with discounts on Christmas lights, trees, and decorations.

Toys and Games

Parents can take advantage of big savings on popular brands like LEGO, Barbie, and Nerf, with Walmart and Amazon leading the way. Many toys are marked down by as much as 50%, making it an excellent time to stock up for the holidays.

How to Shop Smart During Black Friday

Black Friday shopping can be overwhelming, but these tips will help you maximize your savings and avoid common pitfalls:

1. Make a Plan: Create a list of the items you want and set a budget to avoid overspending.

2. Start Early: Many retailers have already launched online sales, so you don’t have to wait for Friday to find great deals.

3. Compare Prices: Use tools like Honey or browser extensions to ensure you’re getting the best price across multiple stores.

4. Check Return Policies: With large purchases, confirm return windows and restocking fees to avoid post-holiday headaches.

5. Shop Online for Convenience: While in-store shopping has its perks, online shopping offers ease and access to exclusive deals.

What Makes Black Friday 2024 Stand Out?

This year, the competition among retailers is fiercer than ever, with many extending deals over several weeks and introducing exclusive offers for loyalty members. Cyber Monday is also expected to complement Black Friday, offering additional online-only discounts.

Experts suggest that 2024 is a great year to invest in big-ticket items like electronics or home appliances, as inflation-driven price hikes throughout the year have made discounts more appealing. Additionally, more environmentally-conscious brands are participating, promoting sustainable products with discounts, which could attract a new wave of shoppers.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Miss Out!

Black Friday 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting shopping events in recent memory. With deals across every category, extended shopping hours, and incredible online sales, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re buying gifts for loved ones or treating yourself, the key is to plan ahead and act fast—popular items are selling out quickly.

So, grab your shopping list, scour the best deals, and enjoy the thrill of Black Friday savings. Don’t forget—Cyber Monday is just around the corner to keep the shopping momentum going!

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Microsoft Outage: Outlook and Teams Restoration Time Remains Unclear as Company Deploys Fix

Microsoft Outage: Outlook and Teams Restoration Time Remains Unclear as Company Deploys Fix

Microsoft faced a major service disruption today, with its widely used tools, Outlook and Teams, experiencing significant outages. As millions of users across the globe rely on these platforms for communication and productivity, the outage has created widespread frustration and operational challenges. The company has acknowledged the issue and is actively working on deploying fixes, though the restoration timeline remains uncertain.

What Happened?

Reports of issues began flooding in early Monday, with users complaining of being unable to access emails on Outlook or participate in meetings on Teams. According to CNN, the outage appears to have stemmed from a technical failure in Microsoft 365’s infrastructure, which supports multiple Microsoft services. Users reported that not only were these apps down, but additional services within the Microsoft ecosystem were also lagging or completely unresponsive.

Impact of the Outage

As highlighted by CBS News, the outage disrupted both businesses and individuals alike. Microsoft Teams, a cornerstone for remote work, saw users unable to join meetings, send messages, or collaborate on shared documents. Similarly, Outlook’s downtime hampered email communication, a critical tool for businesses.

Many organizations that rely heavily on Microsoft’s tools for day-to-day operations were forced to find alternative communication methods or simply pause work until the services were restored. The scale of the impact underscores the dependence on cloud-based services like Microsoft 365.

Microsoft’s Response

Microsoft has acknowledged the issue through their status page and social media channels, stating they are aware of the problem and actively working to resolve it. According to Forbes, the company is deploying fixes and monitoring the situation closely. However, the timeline for full restoration remains unclear, leaving users in limbo.

The company has not yet disclosed specific details about what caused the disruption, but experts speculate that it may be related to a configuration issue or a server failure. Microsoft has promised regular updates as they work to resolve the problem.

Reactions from Users

Unsurprisingly, the outage has sparked significant backlash on social media. Frustrated users took to Twitter and LinkedIn to share their experiences, with many voicing concerns about the reliability of cloud services. Hashtags like #MicrosoftOutage and #OutlookDown began trending shortly after the disruption was reported.

While some users vented their frustrations, others saw humor in the situation, sharing memes about the reliance on technology in modern workspaces.

What’s Next?

As Microsoft works to resolve the issue, businesses and individuals may need to explore temporary solutions. Experts recommend having backup communication tools, such as Slack or Zoom, ready for situations like these. Additionally, it’s an important reminder for organizations to ensure they have contingency plans in place for such outages.

While Microsoft has a strong track record for reliability, today’s outage highlights the risks associated with depending entirely on cloud-based services. It remains to be seen how quickly the company can restore full functionality and what steps they will take to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Final Thoughts

This outage has been a stark reminder of how essential tools like Outlook and Teams have become in the modern workplace. As millions await the restoration of services, questions linger about the cause of the disruption and how Microsoft will address these challenges moving forward. For now, patience and contingency planning are the only paths forwar