While I believe I'm one of the most frugal, deal-minded shoppers I know, I'm no hard-core-Black-Friday-get-up-pre-dawn-for-$2-toasters type of shopper.

Typically, on Black Friday, I stroll out to a few places around 9-10 am to grab a couple of great deals that are still on the shelves, maybe get inspired by a few things at the craft store and do some people watching.

This year, though, stores have changed the game on me.  Now, again, I won't get up at 4, 5 or even 6 am to get my piece of the 80% off bargains, but I do scope out what's available and I hope that something on my list will still be available when I arrive.

This year stores opened at midnight, some even at 10 pm, maybe even earlier! 

From here out (assuming retailers continue these Thursday/midnight shenanigans), I'll be sitting down with my laptop at midnight after Thanksgiving (assuming I'm not in a food coma) to do some online shopping to get some of those fantastic deals.  I believe that this customer experience will be far superior to that of getting out of bed far too early to stand in line in the cold.