Free Layaway at Sears, Kmart Through Nov. 17

Sears and Kmart have announced they will waive layaway fees in stores and online through Nov. 17, according to an Associated Press report.

Both stores usually charge $5 for an eight-week layaway and $10 for 12 weeks.

Kmart's move came after Wal-Mart said it was lowering its holiday layaway program fee to $5 from $15.

The Wal-Mart holiday layaway program started Sept. 16 and runs through Dec. 14 and will include more items than last year. Shoppers will get a service charge refund via Wal-Mart gift card when they pay off their layaway purchase.

Walmart's Black Friday deals will start earlier than ever this year - 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving.