The Salem Witch Trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The trials resulted in the execution of 20 people, 14 of whom were women, and the imprisonment of many others. The trials began when a group of young girls in Salem Village claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of bewitching them. These girls, known as the "afflicted girls," started to exhibit strange behavior, including fits, screaming, and contorting their bodies. Their accusations sparked a hysteria that quickly spread throughout the community. The trials were conducted by a special court known as the Court of Oyer and Terminer, which was established to hear the witchcraft cases.
Black Friday may no longer be a single day, but shopping online for it can be overwhelming. That's especially true when you're looking at Black Friday sales online across a variety of stores. Deals are also starting earlier every year, plus Cyber Week offers its own notable savings. So it makes more sense than ever to have a Black Friday shopping plan in place. And we're here to help you make it! Narrowing down your list of where to shop should be one of the first steps you take when creating your plan. Below, we've covered the top seven stores that should have the best online Black Friday deals in 2023. Check out this guide, then check out all our Black Friday predictions for this year.
Last year, eBay took up to 83 off refurbished tech, up to 50 off refurbished Acer products, an extra 30 off Snow Joe and Sun Joe products, and up to 55 off select Worx items, among others. Oftentimes, people buy charms that mean something to them think places they have visited, charms with mum or best friend on them, birthstones and they make fantastic gifts.
The trials were conducted by a special court known as the Court of Oyer and Terminer, which was established to hear the witchcraft cases. The court employed a controversial practice known as spectral evidence, which allowed the use of visions and dreams as evidence against the accused. This led to a number of innocent people being falsely accused and convicted.
How Much Do You Really Save On Black Friday?
For many, Black Friday is the official launch of the holiday shopping season. For retailers, this notorious non-holiday is the busiest shopping day of the year with many stores earning, the majority of their annual sales revenue during the next month. In 2017, holiday sales totaled a whopping $691.9 billion between November and December.
According to Adobe, Black Friday alone contributed $7.9 billion to that amount in just online sales. Between the undeniable holiday spirit and impressive price slashing, it is easy to get swept up in the Black Friday buzz.
But before you start swiping your card, is Black Friday the most bang for your buck?
Discounts, Doorbusters, and Deceit- Oh my.
Discounts
In a survey conducted by NerdWallet, 65% of American shoppers aren’t sure if they are getting the best deals during the holiday season. It’s a fair question.
Are prices actually lower?
The answer-yes. On average, in-store discounts fall around the 20 percent off range the week of Thanksgiving, and rise to roughly a 37 percent savings on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Online Black Friday deals follow suit with an average 34 percent discount.
In short; yes, Black Friday offers elevated discounts than the average shopping day.
But…
Often times, this is not your only chance to score major savings. Due to the rigorous competition on Black Friday, many companies have opted to offer a series of sales leading up to Black Friday. Amazon, Best Buy, and J.C. Penny, have offered Black Friday worthy discounts in the weeks preceding the infamous shopping day.
Your best bet to save on holiday shopping… research. If you have specific big-ticket items on your list, look into what days offer the steepest discounts for certain items and what sales are planned throughout the shopping season. This can land you the best deals and lowest prices.
Doorbusters
Splashed across all of the red and green glistening Black Friday sales ads, you’ll find savings that seem a little too good to be true; Otherwise known as doorbusters.
The promise of steep savings on the best items is enough to draw millions of Americans out bright and early to retailers across the country. However, these items always come in short supply-with only a limited handful of products per store. If you are one of the lucky ones, these savings are undeniably beneficial to your holiday budget.
For better odds of saving money, focus on online doorbusters. These deals will warrant a larger supply with the same impressive savings that will help you stay within your holiday budget.
Deceit
The overall goal of Black Friday is to shop smartly and save big. However, there are sneaky ploys used by retailers that can lead you astray. Although Black Friday sales will save you a portion off of your total, the compare at costs and percentage off are sometimes inflated.
A 2016 study by NerdWallet found that several stores were guilty of inflating discount amounts in order to make deals seem more appealing. For example, Harbor Freight reported that one of their ladders was on sale for $115 on Black Friday with a compare at price of $209.99 in 2015. Then, in 2016, the same ladder was listed for $99.99; but, the compare at price was listed as $357.99 and a previous price of $139.99. These costs are misleading consumers into believing they are receiving a larger discount than they actually are.
Overall, scouting out Black Friday sales can help you save money on your holiday shopping list; when executed properly. Also, take some time this holiday season to consider giving the gift of financial security. Instead of braving the crowds and the cold, get your loved one a life insurance policy, or contribute to a child’s 529 plan. An advisor at
Whichever you choose, we wish you a safe and bargain filled season! Happy Holidays from Duncan Financial Group!
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Most of the accused were women who did not fit the mold of a typical Puritan woman. They were often older, unmarried, or had unconventional beliefs and behaviors. Many were also socially marginalized, such as slaves and Native Americans. The trials provided an outlet for the fears and anxieties of the community and served as a way to control those who deviated from the norm. The trials came to an end when the governor of Massachusetts, William Phips, disbanded the Court of Oyer and Terminer and declared that spectral evidence would no longer be admissible in court. The remaining cases were either dropped or tried under different courts with stricter evidentiary standards. The Salem Witch Trials remain a dark chapter in American history and serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of fear, hysteria, and persecution. They were a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked power and the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence. The trials have since been the subject of much study and analysis, as scholars attempt to understand the causes and implications of this tragic event..
Reviews for "Escaping the Gallows: The Few Survivors of the Salem Witch Trials"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Bool about Salem Witch Trials" as I find the topic fascinating. However, I was disappointed with the book. The writing style was dry and lacked emotion, making it hard to stay engaged. Additionally, the book didn't provide any new insights or fresh perspectives on the Salem Witch Trials. It seemed to simply rehash information that can easily be found in other books and online sources. Overall, I found "Bool about Salem Witch Trials" to be a letdown and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a comprehensive and captivating account of this historical event.
2. John - 3 stars - While "Bool about Salem Witch Trials" was informative, I found it to be quite dense and challenging to follow at times. The author went into excessive detail on certain aspects, which made the overall narrative drag on. Additionally, the book lacked proper organization, jumping between different time periods and events without a clear structure. Although there were interesting anecdotes scattered throughout, they often felt disconnected from the main story. Overall, I appreciate the effort put into researching the topic, but the execution left much to be desired.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I struggled to finish "Bool about Salem Witch Trials" as it felt like a chore to read. The writing style was overly academic and difficult to comprehend, especially for someone who doesn't have a strong background in history. The book also failed to engage the reader emotionally, which made it hard to connect with the characters and events. Additionally, the excessive use of footnotes disrupted the flow of the text. Overall, I found this book to be dry and inaccessible, and I wouldn't recommend it to those looking for a more engaging and approachable account of the Salem Witch Trials.