Save Big with Shop Local Ideas in Farmington, Farmington Hills

Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year as millions of dollars are spent on holiday gifts for friends and family.

Did you know that shopping at locally owned stores keeps more of that money in your neighborhood? It’s true! Read up on the many benefits of shopping local at the 3/50 project website. You can learn how to make your dollars go further in Farmington and Farmington Hills by checking out the offers and ideas featured in this week’s Frugal Family:

ACO Hardware

Deal: You can’t get more local than shopping ACO Hardware. This Farmington Hills-based chain has two stores in our area: and . Visit their 5-hour late night sale and get $10 in Aco Bucks for every $50 you spend. Get a Proctor-Silex programmable coffee maker for $14.99, a Hamilton-Beach 3-qt slow cooker for $4.99 a 19” flat screen TV for only $149.99, plus many more deals. Aco even sells toys!

When: Wednesday, Nov. 23, 4 p.m.-9 p.m.

Deal: Use this printable coupon for 20 percent off of one item (some exclusions apply). Dunham’s is a Michigan-based chain, headquartered in Waterford.

When: Coupon good through Dec. 10, 2011

Deal: Shop this Pontiac based company for all your home appliance and electronics needs! Check out the Sony Blu-ray player for$79.99 with two months of Hulu Plus!

When: Through Nov. 25

Hallmark Cards and Gifts

Deal: Wrap up your day of shopping with a visit to your independently owned Hallmark store! Get wrapping paper, buy one, get one for 99 cents and Hallmark tape for 99 cents with any gift wrap purchase. Visit at 22072 Farmington Road or at 33310 W. 12 Mile Road.

When: Through Dec. 24

Bonus shop local ideas

• Looking for a gift for the coffee lover in your life? Consider a gift from , this Michigan chain has dozens of locations in the Detroit area – including one in Farmington Hills on Northwestern Hwy.
• Shopping for a gift basket? Look no further than Farmington Hills own Nibbles and Nuts. They offer a wide variety of delicious options for all prices, and they ship nationwide.
• For the bookworms on your list, on Orchard Lake Rd. plans its own Black Friday sale, with tables of hardcovers, new marked down to $10 and used to $5. Buy two new paperbacks, get a third free. And from noon to 2 p.m., all used paperbacks are just $1. Store hours on Friday are 12 p.m.-11 p.m.
• Through December, in downtown Farmington is collecting new or gently used coats, hats, scarves and gloves, and will reward you with a $3 coupon for store merchandise.