As you map out your plans for holiday purchases — and do your comparison shopping — don’t forget to check out some of the deals at the military exchanges, including online stores.

Some of the exchanges will offer deals beginning Veterans Day weekend, especially with the Nov. 11 launch of the Veterans Online Shopping Benefit.

Other sales hit before most retailers begin their Black Friday price wars: Both the Navy Exchange’s Toybook sale and the Army and Air Forces Exchange Service Toyland Toy Book sale run through Nov. 22.

The AAFES offering includes 350 toys, including a selection tested by military children. Among the sale items: furReal Friends Roarin’ Tyler, the Playful Tiger ($99.95, regularly $129.95) and the PlaySkool Star Wars Galactic Heroes playset ($69.95, regularly $79.95).

You’ll be able to nail down more prices when you visit the exchange websites (www.shopmyexchange.com; www.mynavyexchange.com) or the stores.

Holiday deals also might make it a good time to buy that big item you’ve needed — a new TV, mattress or laptop, for instance.

In addition to discounts, there are other deals available, depending on the exchange, such as coupons and deals associated with the Military Star card.

If you want to shop early and pay your bills off gradually without using a credit card, consider using your exchange’s layaway program as a budgeting tool. Rules vary on what you can put on layaway, and for how long. Navy Exchanges are offering fee-free layaways on new layaways through Nov. 22, while AAFES stores are offering fee-free layaway on items placed on layaway and paid for by Dec. 24, including toys and bikes.

Check with your local exchange for rules that apply. Marine Corps Exchange stores don’t have layaway programs.

Some of the upcoming deals (available while supplies last):

AAFES

Nov. 10-16:

  • Samsung 58-inch 4K Smart TV, $549.
  • Xbox One Battlefield 1 Bundle, $149 (regularly $279).
  • PS4 Call of Duty: WWII Bundle, $229 (regularly $279).
  • GAEMS G190 Vanguard personal gaming environment, $249.95 (regularly $349.95).
  • Predator G3 gaming notebook, $1,149 (regularly $1,399).
  • Sony digital camera, $599.95 (regularly $799.95).
  • Samsung front-load high-efficiency washer, $459 (regularly $699).
  • Evermoore Super Pillow Top queen mattress set, $799 (regularly $899).
  • Assorted small kitchen appliances, $19.95 (regularly $29.95-$39.99).
  • Black and Decker, DeWalt power tool combo sets, 20 percent off.
  • Nautilus Bowflex TreadClimber, $899 (regularly $1,499).

Nov. 11 only:

  • All ammunition, 15 percent off.
  • All fine jewelry, 20 percent off.
  • All Lego products, 20 percent off.
  • All men’s and women’s Nike and Under Armour apparel, 25 percent off.
  • Select Samsonite luggage, 50 percent off.
  • Powerbuilt Garage in the Box, $42.45 (regularly $84.99).
  • Suunto Men’s Core Military watch, $148 (regularly $269.99).

MARINE CORPS EXCHANGE

Nov. 11:

  • Marine Pride sportswear, Marine Pride gift wear and Marine Pride accessories, 20 percent off.
  • Discounts (details not provided) on some footwear and clothing; electronics and TVs, computer and gaming accessories, tactical items and firearms.

Nov. 22-26 (stores closed on Thanksgiving):

  • Discounts on electronics, home goods, clothing, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, shoes, home electronics and a selection of gift chocolates.
  • Special discounts Nov. 22 on TVs, tablets, notebook computers, home electronics, kitchen items and other items.Special discounts Nov. 24 (Black Friday) on children’s bicycles (25 percent off), small appliances, some TVs (40 percent off or more).
  • Other Nov. 24 discounts (details not provided) include deals on some notebooks, headphones, laptops and tablets; some electronics, games and entertainment bundles; a DLSR camera (digital single-lens reflex); KitchenAid 5 Quart Artisan Stand Mixer; cosmetics; clothing; home goods; shoes; purses (including Michael Kors, Dooney & Bourke, Brighton and Vera Bradley); sunglasses and toys.

NAVY EXCHANGE

Nov. 10-15:

  • Navy Exchange-exclusive products will be available to online and in-store shoppers: Yeti Naval Academy logo cooler, Jordan Trainer 2 Flyknit sneakers, and Maui Jim sunglasses.For every online purchase on Veterans Day, customers will receive limited- edition commemorative coin.

Nov. 24-26 (Blue Holiday sales also available online 24 hours before they’re available in stores):

  • Deals on all Dyson products.
  • All Electrolux, LG, Samsung and Frigidaire appliances $499 and up, 15 percent off.
  • All Stanley, Craftsman, Irwin Tools and DeWalt hand tools, 25 percent off.
  • Select passenger and light-truck Michelin tires, $70 mail-in rebate.
  • Crayola arts and crafts products, 40 percent off.
  • Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and Disney Princess toys, 20 percent off.
  • Bikes and accessories, 20 percent off.
  • Complete eyewear package ($100 and up), 30 percent off.
  • All luggage, backpacks, duffels and luggage accessories, 25 percent off.
  • All active wear, men’s and women’s outerwear, shoes and boots, 25 percent off.
  • Columbia, North Face, 5.11 and Spyder outerwear, 25 percent off.
  • Mass cosmetics, 30 percent off.
  • Men’s and women’s branded clothing, 25 percent off.
  • Stance socks, 25 percent off.
  • All watches and sunglasses, 25 percent off.
  • All Godiva products, 30 percent off.

Karen has covered military families, quality of life and consumer issues for Military Times for more than 30 years, and is co-author of a chapter on media coverage of military families in the book "A Battle Plan for Supporting Military Families." She previously worked for newspapers in Guam, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Fla., and Athens, Ga.

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