ATLANTA -- There's a new sign our economy is in trouble- sale signs in stores.

Retailers are doing whatever it takes to move merchandise fast.

But is this a good thing for us?

CBS 46 Consumer Reporter Kim Fettig looks at the tough questions you need to ask yourself before getting lured in by the sales.

Black Friday is arriving early this year, but if you don't play close attention it may be a black mark on your credit

Sale signs in store windows are ranging from 30 percent to 90 percent off. Some stores are even calling it a bailout sale.

“I bought a Wii and bought laundry detergent and dish detergent,” said shopper Brittany Young.

Lured in by half price detergent, she left the store with a Nintendo Wii.

Fettig: “So you’re not deterred by the bad economy?”

Young: “No, not at all. I should be though.”

Georgia state economist, Chris Lemley said we all need to be concerned.

“I think it is time for a little more self control to come into most people's budgets,” said Lemley

Consider the tough question of why the stores are willing to offer you unseasonably low prices.

"The retailers are just trying to get their money now while people are still employed," said Lemley.

Stores like Wal-Mart predicting a rough holiday season are holding their toy sales now while people still have some money to spend.

“Normally [it would] be a little closer to Thanksgiving during blitz time,” said Zane McCusker with Wal-Mart.

Appliance Smart Outlet in Gwinnett County is even willing to pay all your sales tax.

It may be a dangerous economic Catch 22; financially strapped consumers are defaulting on credit cards at record rates.

But if they don't spend, “we'll probably see some significant number of retailers that are around right now that will not make it until March of next year,” said Lemley.

Early sales mean early holiday credit card bills for most of us.

We want to help find answers to your tough financial questions and hear your ideas. E-mail Kim Fettig. She’ll answer some questions online and others in her blog.