Now that Halloween is over, many families are getting ready for the holiday shopping season. Many are coming up with plans to make sure they don't go over budget this year. Two-thirds of Americans say the economy will impact their holiday plans this year, according to the National Retail Federation. 55 percent of those people say they will be saving money buy shopping more sales.

Sparks Resident Jennifer Ward says she will be watching her budget closely this season, especially as her children get older and the gifts get more expensive.

"[I'm] definitely looking for the discounts and definitely looking for the "in" things but not necessarily the top-of-the-line everything," she said.

Other shoppers said they aren't planning on cutting back because they have been saving up all year.

AJ and Lisa Dechene of Sparks say they are taking an organized approach this year and have mapped out what each paycheck will pay for.

Early Sales and Marketing Tools

Shoppers' eagle-eyes are noticing more sales starting earlier this year.

Sears launched a campaign this weekend called "Black Friday Now," where shoppers will find post-Thanksgiving Day prices at the beginning of November.

Steven Alvarado, Sears General Manager in Reno, says shoppers can find 50 to 60 percent off in every department on Saturdays this month.

"It's going to be a really good value for customers leading up to the day after Thanksgiving," Alvarado said.

He also said Sears wants to help out it's customers who are on a tight budget this year, so they are offering layaway. The department store is also offering a program where shoppers can sign up for gift card that acts like a savings account. Alvarado says Sears will then match a portion of that in mid-November.

Shoppers say they are also noticing the new tools that stores are using to attract them.

Sparks Resident Vanessa Garcia says one store had a promotion called item of the week. Shoppers would get a stamp on a card for buying in the store that week and then they would get to buy an item of a lesser value later on.

"I thought it was really cute. At the same time, they get you to buy every week," Garcia said.

All of this shopping and these sales are leading up to Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that is infamous for major sales and discounts.

A spokesperson at the Legends at Sparks Marina says that is still the day that will determine how well the retail industry and particular stores will do this year.

The Legends is planning to open at midnight of Black Friday to get shoppers in early for the deals.