By Angela Giddings —

October 31 marks the beginning of the holiday season, which is also the beginning of the busiest sale season and the best time to shop out of season. Shopping out of season means to purchase items that one would not use until months after purchase. For example, purchasing Halloween items on November 1. Usually Halloween costumes, decorations and anything else associated with this holiday go on a drastic sale the day after and may remain on sale for a few weeks after. Retailers do this to make room for new merchandise. Items may be reduced up to 80 percent.

Another Smart Shopper move is in the apparel department. Consider purchasing summer and spring basics during the holiday season, as they will also be drastically reduced in the fall months. Look for items such as sandals, shorts, bathing suits, sundresses, and other beachwear.

Get the family together and take a trip to the portrait studio. Places like Sears and Target have portrait package specials for the holidays. Share the pictures with others as an inexpensive holiday gift.

Two of the most highly anticipated shopping days of the year are Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Retailers big and small have many deals on new merchandise.

BLACK FRIDAY

(The day after Thanksgiving)

Target: Will have a 2-day sale. Sign up at Target.com and be the first to know all about the Black Friday and exclusive Cyber Monday deals.

Best Buy: Opens door deals at 12 midnight, Nov. 25. Their Facebook sweepstakes offers Best Buy fans a prize pool of $25,000 in e-gift cards before and after Black Friday

Macys: Shop online now through Saturday November 27. See macys.com for more details.

For more Black Friday deals visit TheBlackFriday.com.

CYBER MONDAY

Surf the web the Monday after Thanksgiving and shop for deals that may be better than those you will find on Black Friday. Usually electronics, appliances, and gadgets are the sale items to look out for.

The best time to shop for Christmas and the holiday season is the day after Christmas. Coats, gloves, hats, scarves, etc. are marked down so retailers can make room for their spring merchandise. Also, retailers markdown anything that screams holiday. These items include tree ornaments, garland, candles, dinnerware and much more.

In addition to all the markdowns and sales, look for coupons as well. Being a $mart $hopper may take a little time and planning but your wallet will smile and thank you for it.