MASON CITY, Iowa - Call it "Pre-Black Friday." As folks head to stores in search of bargains and holiday gifts, and the stores are doing their part. This year the sale prices are coming even earlier.

"Last Sunday's ad, our front page featured some "Black Friday" prices on...50 inch plasma TV for example," said Cathy Hrubetz, manager at Mason City's Sears.

Many national retailers are already offering deals that would normally be reserved for the day after Thanksgiving. They're offering everything from flat screen TV's to computers at heavily reduced prices.

"No interest, no payments for a whole year," said Hrubetz about an upcoming sale. "So anything purchased that day totaling $199 or more, you don't have to make any payments or any interest until December 2009."

It's something the shoppers we talked to, seem to like too.

"The earlier the sale, also, you can avoid crowds later, ya know, if ya notice a sale out, ya don't have to go scrambling around on Christmas Eve," said Melony Prevost while shopping at Southbridge mall.

But the early sales aren't just about making money. Store managers say they're also helping to ease the impact on a lot of household budgets.

"Just trying to help people out in the economy and get em out shopping early and try to space their purchases out a little bit, and giving them some financing options that we normally don't offer to help them out," said Hrubetz. 

Another shopper, Pam Prevost said, "the way the economy is, ya don't wanna burn all your money at one time."

Several stores like Walmart, Best Buy, and K-Mart are also holding "Pre-Black Friday" sales, and many stores within Southbridge as well.  To check out some of the "Black Friday" ads early, CLICK HERE.