DUNLAP -- For Asia Batiz and Bekah Williams, Black Friday means getting up early for a day filled with a thrilling search for sales.

But given the economic times, the sisters said the hunt for big holiday bargains is also increasingly critical.

"For us, Christmas is tight," said Williams, 27, of Goshen. "So it's important that I get out here and get the best deal I can."

Williams' husband lost his job at a recreational vehicle manufacturer after he hurt his back. He found a new gig and is going to school, she said, but the budget isn't as flexible as it once was.

So Williams and Batiz showed up at 1 a.m. outside a Target store on U.S. 33, lists in hand. Batiz was eyeing a heavily discounted premium vacuum cleaner, and Williams was headed for a GPS device.

The before-dawn shopping trip has become an annual tradition for the pair. And the sleepless morning paid off, they said -- because it's also a childless morning.

"It's an opportunity to get out of the house without the kids," Batiz, 32, said with a laugh. "It's one of your only times."

Showing up early was a necessity on Friday, as the large parking lot shared by Target, Kohl's and other stores was nearly full by 4 a.m. Hundreds of people waited in line for the big box retailer to open its doors at 5 a.m.

Adam Dyrhaug was the first person in that lengthy queue. But he had his spot already staked out on Thursday.

The 25-year-old Elkhart resident was focused on a 32-inch high definition TV. The store only had a couple of dozen available, and at a special sale price of $246, they were practically 50 percent off.

"I do research on TVs all the time," the married father of one said. "I'm always looking."

Dyrhaug is currently unemployed, too, but by choice. He was working a foundry job, then got married and decided he needed to pursue another career.

He's at IUSB now, taking pre-dental courses and considering pursuing nursing. Because his wife is the only one working, spending habits have changed some, he said, but not drastically.

"It impacts things, but not as much as you would think," he said.

As the holiday season begins, Dyrhaug said he's thankful for the opportunities he has. He got out of the job market as the economic downturn began, he said, and will hopefully be out by the time the recession has subsided.

"The way things have been going, it seems a lot more sensible to be going to school now," he said. "I'm kind of grateful for it."