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How to get Black Friday deals
BLACKFRIDAY
Staff Report
Updated: Nov 15, 2016, 4:25 PM
Published: Nov 15, 2016, 4:27 PM

As Thanksgiving draws near, retailers begin dropping hints about their Black Friday promotions. Some stores have begun to open their doors on Thanksgiving evening, after many people have filled up on turkey and trimmings.

Smart shoppers recognize that Black Friday is a great time to find deals on holiday gifts, and following these tips can help shoppers save even more.

-Begin researching early. Since many retailers begin posting information online or send out advertisements about sale items far in advance of Black Friday, shoppers should pay attention to each retailer’s offerings so they can better coordinate their shopping efforts. Cross-reference prices against other stores, including both online retailers and traditional brick-and-mortar stores.

- Establish a shopping budget. It’s tempting to go out shopping with credit cards blazing, but that may lead to overspending. Determine what you can afford and set a budget for Black Friday shopping. Establishing a budget can help you avoid impulse purchases as well.

- Look for extra discounts. The early bird often gets the worm, but late shoppers also may benefit on Black Friday. Determine which times of the day stores are offering their biggest discounts. Doorbuster sales tend to start very early, but such sales might be irrelevant if only items you do not need are being discounted. Determine if there are any additional sales that extend throughout the day.

-Divide and conquer. Split up the shopping responsibilities so you and your family can get your shopping done quickly. The divide and conquer approach allows you to cover more ground and ensures someone will be there to claim the best deals from various retailers.

- Dress comfortably for shopping. Malls and department stores may be crowded and can be warm, so dress in layers so you can remove clothing if you get hot. You’ll probably do a good deal of walking on Black Friday, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

- Have discount codes at the ready. Many retailers now use digital apps or emails to keep in touch with customers. These same apps may enable smartphone users to search for discount codes and other coupons. Keep digital coupons handy so they can be presented quickly at checkout.

Black Friday is one of the best days of the year to land steep discounts on a variety of merchandise and services. Make the shopping trip even more successful this time around.
Rotary Clubs of Monroe and Covington come together for a veteran's new home
rotary covington and monroe
Staff Report
Published: Mar 25, 2025, 3:19 PM

The Rotary Clubs of Monroe and Covington pitched in to support Gwinnett/Walton Habitat for Humanity’s Veteran’s Build in Monroe, GA, on March 8, by providing financial contributions and volunteer labor to help build a home for Nickolas Garrett, a U.S. military veteran and single parent. 

Both Rotary clubs demonstrated their commitment to service by donating $1,000 each toward the construction of the home, working alongside Habitat staff and community volunteers.

With the price of housing, Garrett felt that home ownership was beyond his grasp. Then, he was chosen for Habitat’s Veteran Build Program, and his dream came true. 

“I’m truly blessed and I’m just excited to be part of this process, honestly,” Garrett said. “For my daughter to be able to grow up and have a place to call home is a miracle.”

“Rotary is filled with people of action,” said Tarrence Houston, Rotary Club of Covington president. “As Rotarians, we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. By joining hands with other clubs, we can increase our impact in our communities and around the world.

“Together, we are helping to provide a family with a safe and comfortable place of their own. It’s the ‘American Dream’ fulfilled.”

Leading the initiative were Matthew Whitley of the Monroe Rotary Club and Phil Lanier of the Covington Rotary Club. Both men spearheaded efforts to raise awareness about Gwinnett/Walton Habitat for Humanity’s mission to provide affordable housing and support for veterans in need.

“This is what Rotary is all about,” Lanier said. “It’s coming together to serve others with both contributions and sweat.”

The Rotary Clubs of Monroe and Covington encourage others in their respective communities to help Habitat for Humanity through donations, volunteering, or advocacy. To learn more about how to get involved, visit www.habitatgwinnett.org.