Whether or not you trust in the Black Friday hype, the financial mavens at Bankrate.com say November is almost always a good time to find bargains on certain other kinds of merchandise:

Cookware – In time to get you revved about holiday cooking, many retailers slash the price of pots, pans and cookware gadgets this month. (It’s also a good time for bargains on flour, sugar, butter, chocolate and other baking ingredients.)

Tools and hardware – Check the big box home and hardware stores for significant discounts this month on drills, hand tools, tool storage and more. The best deals will be on merchandise you can carry home yourself.

Off-brand TVs – While the best deals on premium TVs may not happen until the December/January timeframe, when retailers are making room for the newest models, experts say November is the time to look for deep discounts on off-brand models, especially in the 46-to-55 inch screen size.

Wedding gowns – According to the author of "Bridal Bargains," November and December are excellent months to shop for a wedding dress because there's a decrease in demand as women aren't interested in shopping for one during the typically busy holiday season. (Some stores will even haggle a bit during this slow sales time.)