Time to do some comparison shopping to stretch your hard-earned dollars — and maybe even spend less than you've budgeted for the holidays.

Military exchanges offer a number of options. Regardless of your branch of service or whether you live near an installation, you can shop online at shopmyexchange.com and at mynavyexchange.com. They'll be offering deals online on Thanksgiving Day, too, but the brick-and-mortar stores are closed that day to give their employees time with their families.

This year, Marine Corps exchanges will have a new preview sale in stores the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, with specials on jewelry and watches. Their Wednesday-through-Sunday deals (except Thanksgiving) will feature discounts on electronics, home goods, clothing, cosmetics, shoes and home electronics.

Sailors and Marines at sea get their own discounts at mynavyexchange.com on Nov. 22-24 — along with another $10 off on any purchase of $75 or more.

Shopmyexchange.com has expanded Cyber Monday to Cyber Week, with new deals every day through Dec. 3.

Bikes, jewelry, toys and other items also are on sale at Navy and Army and Air Force brick-and-mortar exchanges.

Some examples of the offerings:

Cyber Thanksgiving. MyNavyExchange.com: 25 percent off watches, regularly priced handbags and small leather goods, apparel, and shoes; 50 percent off Maui Jim sunglasses and 25 percent off other sunglasses; 20 percent off select toy brands and tactical items; 15 percent off K-cups. ShopMyExchange.com: Sharp 4K Smart 50-inch TV, $599; 35 percent off Vince Camuto and Lauren Ralph Lauren handbags; Ring Bot video doorbell, $139.99; 35 percent off select clothing.

3-day sale, Nov. 27-29. Navy Exchange (larger stores): 25 percent off artificial Christmas trees and Martha Stewart bath and bedding; 40 percent off Kenmore major appliances priced at $499 and above; 40 percent off Hanes underwear, socks, fleece; 25 percent off select apparel; 20 percent off watches.

Nov. 27. AAFES: Fitbit Surge Fitness Super Watch, $199.95; TomTom MultiSport GPS watch, $89.95; Craftsman 182-piece Mechanics tool set, $84.99; 30 percent off select men's wallets; Buxton, Dockers, Levi's, Fossil wallets and safety wallets; Canon Power Shot Military Exclusive camera bundle, $79.95; Mophie rechargeable battery case for iPhone 6, $44.97; Women's Lucky Brand jeans, selected styles, $35. Marine Corps Exchange: Black Friday doorbusters from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. with specials ranging up to 28 percent and more on various TVs. Navy Exchange (larger stores): 25 percent off handbags and small leather goods, watches, sunglasses and outdoor apparel; 20 percent off select toys from Sesame Street, Nerf, Marvel Avengers, Littlest Pet Shop and Lego.

Nov. 28. AAFES: Samsung 4K Smart 55-inch TV, $599; HP Android Lollipop 5.0 tablet, $99.99; Dromida Ominus Quadcopter, $99.95; Keurig 2.0 brewing system, $89.99; 25 percent off selected lingerie and shapewear (also available online); 50 percent off assorted slippers (also online). Marine Corps Exchange: Doorbusters from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., include a selection of small kitchen appliances at $4.99.

Cyber Monday. Shopmyexchange.com: 25 percent off Dyson vacuums; 50 percent off Dockers casual pants; Galaxy Tab A 8-inch tablet, $179.99.

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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