Best Labor Day Sales

Shoppers, take your marks: Retailers are offering juicy deals this Labor Day weekend in hopes of getting people to loosen up the tight grip on their cash.

Some of the steepest discounts are on children's clothing and mid-range electronics (items in the $400 to $500 range), which some retailers take losses on in order to get customers into their stores, Davis says. She adds that back-to-school sales are still going strong in many regions, since not all schools have started the school year. According to a recent Chase Slate- U.S. News Consumer Monitor, about 4 in 10 respondents said their back-to-school budget was smaller than last year, and many shoppers are waiting until the last minute to start spending.

Amazon and Wal-Mart are leading the pack with incredible deals, says Brad Wilson, publisher of www.BradsDeals.com. For a few items, however, he says patience will pay off: Prices on E-Readers, 3D televisions, and tablet PCs will drop even more over the next month or two.

The hot summer means that many stores are running low on warm-weather clothes. As a result, retailers are featuring fall items early. "A lot of retailers are trying to get shoppers to think about cooler weather," says Davis. Retailers are also keeping a close eye on Hurricane Earl, which could complicate shopping plans on the East Coast.

Here's a guide to the best Labor Day deals:

JC Penney is offering free shipping on online orders over $49, and taking 50 percent off furniture and mattresses. Shoppers can find discounts throughout the store, on everything from clothes to jewelry to home-related goods.

If you're in the mood to take advantage of the three-day weekend with some do-it-yourself projects, Home Depot makes it easy: The store is featuring grills, paint, and bathroom gear, such as vanities and faucets. In many cases, online shoppers can get free shipping, as well as 10 percent off energy-saving appliances such as washers and dryers.

Macy's Labor Day sale covers clothes, luggage, jewelry, furniture, kitchen gear, and more. Online shoppers who spend more than $99 can get free shipping, and clearance items are an additional 25 percent off.

While Target tends to avoid announcing specific sales in advance, the store features weekly discounts all year through newspaper circulars. It also recently announced a new service for shoppers: Coupons delivered directly to your cell phone. Shoppers can sign up at Target.com.

Lovers of the outdoors can find discounts of up to 30 percent off at REI, which is featuring camping gear, sporty clothing, and accessories such as Nalgene bottles. A four-person tent, which normally sells for $349, is marked down to $250, while select canoes are 15 percent off.

At CVS, shoppers can take 25 percent off of beauty products, including Revlon and L'Oreal brands, through September 6. Online shoppers can take advantage of free shipping on orders over $49 as well as $10 off orders of at least $50. (Just enter LABORDAY50 at checkout.)

Best Buy's end-of-summer sale focuses on enhancing at-home entertainment centers. Shoppers can snag a Samsung 46-inch HDTV and Blu-ray player for just under $1,000 and get as much as 15 percent off television stands. Movies and video games are also on sale. But shoppers in the market for 3D televisions might want to wait to buy until the holidays, says Wilson, when prices are expected to fall dramatically.

Mac is offering rebates of up to $200 off and giving free iPod Touches to college students--as well as teachers--when they buy a new Mac through September 7. Dell is also offering student discounts on its dedicated educational Web page and promises to match lower prices if you find one on the day you buy your new computer.

For those still trying to squeeze in a summer vacation, American Airlines' Labor Day sale offers $49 fares to select destinations, as long as you book now and travel September 4, 5, and 8. Frontier Airlines is featuring a similar deal for those who make their purchases by the end of the day on September 3. A one-way ticket from Denver to Tucson, for example, runs just $49. Meanwhile, Expedia.com features hotel discounts of up to 45 percent over the holiday weekend.

If you're trying to decide whether to shop online versus in the store, you can make the decision purely based on personal preference. According to Davis, retailers are discounting just as aggressively online, but in different forms. They might offer free shipping to online shoppers while giving $5 coupons to in-person shoppers, for example. As always when shopping online, be sure to check for any last-minute discounts before placing your order. Visit sites such as RetailMeNot.com or CouponCabin.com to check for promotional codes, or do a Web search of the retailers' name and the word "coupon."

No More Excuses

It’s been said that some of the smartest people make lousy entrepreneurs. How can that be? The problem is that some people are so smart they can easily predict all of the problems, roadblocks and hurdles they’ll need to overcome to succeed. They can think of all kinds of reasons why an idea won’t work. This foresight can crush possibilities and dreams. When you want something, do you focus on the positive things, or the barriers? To reach your goals, you have to really want them. More importantly, you have to believe that you can do it. Think more about why you CAN make it happen instead of why you can’t.

Practice Gratitude

How often do you remember the people that have made things possible for you? It is easy to take our privileges for granted. Over the next couple days, try to be aware of your surroundings—everything from the food you eat to the place you live—and who has made them helped you get where you are today. Let someone know that you truly appreciate their efforts in shaping who (and where) you are today.

Never Too Late

People are reaching new goals every day. You don’t have to be young to accomplish all of your dreams. Think that you are “past your prime?” Think again. Always wanted to run a marathon? Start training today. Always dreamed of owning your own company? Start small with the resources you have, and work for it. Reaching goals is a series of progressive acts. It might take days, it might take weeks, and it might even take years. But with the right attitude and a little bit of ambition, you can achieve all you dream!

Make It a Habit

Personal improvement, whether it’s weight loss or fitness, is about creating or losing a habit. It shouldn't be thought of as a short-term event. People diet until they lose 20 pounds, and then stop the smart eating and exercise strategies that got them there. Once they reach their goal, they go back to the way they lived before and wonder why the weight comes back. For permanent change, habits need to stick around for the long run. With repetition and time, a single action will seem habitual. Once it becomes a habit, it becomes part of who you are, and the transformation is complete.

Don't Compare Yourself to Others

Do you hold yourself to the standards of other people, wishing you could be better than them? Maybe this is motivating you, but it's a better idea is to compete against yourself. How about pushing yourself to eat healthier or walk longer after dinner each day? Set goals to "compete" against yourself. You select the end result that you want. Then, it is up to you—and only you—to work to achieve those goals. You'll be pushing yourself towards greatness, not creating unnecessary competition against others.

The Mind-Body Connection

Have you ever felt butterflies in your stomach before a big presentation? If you have, then you know that the stomach reacts to the brain. When a person continuously stimulates his mind and exercises his body, he will find himself better-equipped to handle any hurdles that arise. To exercise your mind each day, you could keep a journal, solve a puzzle, or listen to classical music. Most people know that exercising the body is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. There are many small activities that you can do every day to get your body moving.

Health is Happiness

Have you ever thought about the connection between happiness and good health? Most of us would probably agree that there is a connection, but many of us who feel unhappy don't want to take the time to build a foundation of good health. Good health can be the launching pad for great things. Think about when you are feeling under the weather. It is hard to stay on track and consistent with your goals when your body isn't up to the challenge. It is extremely important to make sure your body stays in great shape if you want to enjoy all that life has to offer.

Slow and Steady

Do you ever get frustrated that you're working so hard but not seeing results as quickly as you'd wish? Many people don’t realize that they're building a foundation for their health and that success will not happen overnight. It is a slow process in which you are constantly building and learning. It is extremely important to create a foundation that will remain strong even in times of crisis. That takes time! Remind yourself that you only fail if you quit…otherwise it is a learning opportunity. So, don’t worry if things seem to be happening in slow motion. Concentrate on building a solid foundation and learning from your steps backward.