The United States is mere hours from the frenzy known as Black Friday. Maybe with the economy in a funk, this year it could be more like Gray Friday.

Don’t go out without a plan. Otherwise you’ll just be suckered into so-called bargain after so-called bargain and spend way more than you planned/should have.

Here’s some tips. And here’s a few more.

This one from Slate.com is interesting:

“Digital picture frames. I’ve never understood the appeal of these devices—why do you want yet another LCD screen for your house? You can already look at your pictures on your computer (play them as a screensaver!), your TV, your iPod, and even your cell phone. That’s not enough for you? And, anyway, pictures don’t really pop on a screen like they do on paper. Plus, as a piece of decor, digital frames smack too much of the Sharper Image catalog; perhaps you can put yours next to your digital weathervane and sleep sound generator.

But with LCD prices plummeting, these devices are now cheap enough to tempt even hardened cynics. Small 7-inch models are going for as little as $40. When I polled my Slate colleagues on their experiences with digital frames, several suggested that they make good gifts for grandparents who don’t otherwise have access to digital photos. If you buy one for grandpa, though, make sure to get a model that’s easy to use—many people reported that their grandparents didn’t know how to change the pictures in their frames, or generally got so flummoxed with the devices that they stashed them away for good. As an alternative, you might consider investing a few hours of your time to make grandma a physical photo book using an online service like iPhoto, Picaboo, or Shutterfly. These books cost as much as a digital frame, and they look much classier on the coffee table.”

Are you headed out to contribute to the madness?

The Wall Street Journal breaks down how airlines are stiffing us with baggage fees. Just a little bundle of infuriating information before you jet off for the holiday.

But, the bright spot in it all: discounts abound.

With our soon-to-be president saying we need to hunker down for the long haul in this recession, now may not be the time for throwing wedding celebrations at a cost equaling a down payment on a middle-class home.

Many couples’ solution? Elope, a trend the New York Times reported.

“In a time of tightening budgets, some wedding professionals have seen an increase in elopements as couples consider it a practical alternative.

It’s an age-old option. Romeo and Juliet did it. And, though it didn’t turn out so well for them, it worked for the poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning. They, too, were circumventing parental disapproval, but nowadays the primary motivations are convenience and cost.

‘A wedding doesn’t have to be a life-absorbing planning process, and it doesn’t have to take up a year and a half of your lives,’ said Karla Neville, 27, who decided to elope with Gabe Evans in July while they were on vacation in Portland, Ore.”

Are you charging ahead with big wedding plans? Will you have to bust out the charge card to do so? Any grand ideas for gettin’ hitched on the cheap?

The Salvation Army’s 2008 Red Kettle Campaign began just eight days ago, but donations are severely down from 2007 and the organization is $17,000 off pace to make their goal of $600,000. Proceeds from the kettles are used locally to fund the New Hope homeless shelter, food, utility, rent and Christmas assistance for children and families, and many other programs that serve those in need. If you would like to volunteer as a bellringer, contact Mike Smith at 884-1042 or go to www.TSACS.org

Frugality is nouveau chic. I find myself proudly proclaiming, “10 bucks! Target!” when complimented on apparel. Five years ago I may have been embarrassed.

Perhaps as punctuation of this trend, last night I sent my brother-in-law, who was frugal before it was hip, a funny e-card reading, “One good thing about the financial meltdown is your lifelong cheapness seems less noticeable.”

Make sure and check out the Associated Press’ new monthly household budget calculator.

Have money-saving competitions with friends replaced the old, passive-aggressive “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality?

Yes, smarty pants, no blogs existed 60 years ago. But if they had, this one, a discussion not just about money but personal finance, would have been faux pas, as NPR reminisces.

Are you old school? Does all the money talk as of late make you uncomfortable?

The latest victim in the crumbling economy? Office holiday parties.

I’m sure these horribly awkward stress relieving events will be greatly missed.

Has your office cut the party budget this year? Any plans to get your co-workers together anyway?

Seems the only professionals cleaning up on Wall Street these days are divorce lawyers.

I just paid $35 to fill my car with 16.5 gallons of gas. Two months ago I was paying $60. I get that the economy is still biting me in other areas and that gas won’t be this cheap forever. But, man did that feel good.

Happy frugal weekend!

I was the only client in the salon last night because I was the last appointment with my hair friend who works too hard. The quiet got me thinking and I inquired how, in light of the economy, hair friend was faring. He’s doing fine (probably because he’s willing to work until 8 p.m. Also, he’s great at what he does), but he estimates the salon as a whole is down 20 percent to 30 percent. Seems to be a trend in the service industry. Hair friend said one of his clients closed her massage therapy practice.

I completely understand people’s desire to cut back on these luxury expenses. But I’ve established relationships with these people - hair friend, face friend. I’d rather cut back in other, less personal areas like coffee and eating out than hurt friends who have been so good to me.

Surely, if I get laid-off, I’ll be singing a different tune (one you wouldn’t hear because I’d no longer be pinching).

Are you in the service industry and seeing clients disappear? Have you cut back on hair-cuts or laid-off your cleaning crew?