The Daily Deal for Saturday, May 3, 2008

In case you haven't already picked up a copy of Grand Theft Auto 4 for the Xbox 360, Walmart is running a spectacular deal right now. The standard version of the game is available with one free month of Xbox Live anywhere, but Walmart is throwing in a extra 3 months of Xbox Live for free! Xbox Live is Microsoft's Internet gaming platform which you need a subscription to to enjoy online gaming such as GTA IV's cops and robbers multi-player. Normally 4 months of Xbox Live would cost more then $20 extra so the savings are significant.

Grand Theft Auto 4 is an amazing game, for adults, it is rated Mature so you won't likely be giving it to your ten year old for his birthday. The game is netting A+ and 10/10 on many review sites and is at the least a candidate for "Game of the Year'. After you factor in shipping the whole package shouldn't cost much more than $62. This deal won't last long so be sure to order quickly!

If you want to play online after you pick this up be sure to send me a friend request, my gamertag is Ca1vin on Xbox Live.

According to HD Guru, Sony is planning huge price cuts on their 2008 model HD TVs in May. Apparently Sony has been deeply saddened by loosing the number one spot to a slew of rivals and is taking steps to gain back the bragging rights. This is great news for consumers who will see price cuts between 20 and 25% on current models including the Bravia Line beginning in May.

This is awesome news even if you aren't interested in inflating Sony's ego. A move like this should force other major manufacturers to drop price, including Toshiba, Panasonic and even resellers like Westinghouse. Similarly this downward trend in pricing could force plasma TV prices to drop in order to remain competitive. A situation like this could do a lot stimulate the economy; mix the stimulus package with concern for the digital TV switchover, toss in drastically reduced prices and many consumers will easily find a reason to buy a new TV.

If you are in the market for a TV, you better wait a week or so until prices start dropping. If you aren't looking for a Sony brand LCD, put your purchase on hold until the end of the month to let manufacturers and retailers catch up to the price drops. There are few things more annoying than seeing the TV you just set up at home 25% cheaper a week later. If you have already purchased an HD TV be sure to check on the price guarantee many big box retailers have. If it looks like you will run out of time before your new Sony's price is corrected you may want to return it and pick one up when the price drops, watch out for restocking fees if you go this route.

Let's face it, frugal shopping can be difficult but it's not because the retailers are out to rob you of your money. Stores of all types operate on one simple premise; It's their job to convert product display space into profit. Store layouts, merchandise displays and product placement are all used in well researched configurations to make the most from limited retail space. As frugal shoppers, it's our individual responsibility to see through the merchandise promotion blitz and to guard our own spending by fending off the impulse purchase of items we never intended to buy when we first entered the store.

The expertise of retailers in moving product is the major cause for my "shopping with an attitude" theory. I realize that stores are providing me a service by offering products for sale, but that doesn't mean that I should be surrendering my wallet to them at the door. My shopping attitude theory is summed up in the following words: "It's my money and I'll decide how much of it you get." It's a simple condition of mental focus which should be taken along with you into every store you enter and it's partially rooted in the following frugal shopping principles: