Black Friday roundup: Here's everything you need to know

It's almost here: Black Friday is in two days, and holiday shopping is about to get serious. We at Consumer Reports have been working feverishly to provide you with the best advice on how to survive and even thrive on Black Friday and beyond.

Below are links to all the stories we ran this season (in no particular order): advice on getting deals on electronics, cars, home appliances, and more; researching before you shop; dealing with return policies; and lots more. Enjoy Thanksgiving knowing that you'll be as prepared as you can get!

• Store opening hours for Black Friday
• Black Friday 2011: 12 tips for getting the best deals
• Small Business Saturday looks to compete with Black Friday and Cyber Monday
• 5 Tips to keeping holiday spending in check
• Black Friday: Big appliance buys at the big box stores
• Best GPS deals for 2011 Black Friday--Your guide to navigating doorbusters
• Best new car deals for Black Friday and Thanksgiving weekend
• 7 tips for organized and hassle-free holiday shopping
• Black Friday 2011: 10 best TV deals
• Navigon launches 2.0 navigation app, offers Black Friday-style discount
• Black Friday: There are good buys and there are CR Best Buys
• Black Friday prices not always lowest for our recommended models
• 5 steps to successful product returns when faced with strict policies
• Black Friday TVs: Walmart, Target, Best Buy get down low
• Appliance retailers offer early Black Friday deals
• Black Friday TV prices: How low will they go?
• Amazon Black Friday deals start today

—Carol Mangis