I’m staying in the house as much as possible today. The crowds are always out in superhuman force the day after Thanksgiving, grabbing all the deep “discounts” on items that most normal people won’t ever need.
Of course, it takes me back about 10 years when I used to get caught up, too . . .
In 2002, when I was still in college, me and my boyfriend got up at 4:00am to hit up the nearest Walmart on Black Friday to buy Christmas gifts for our friends and families. We thought we were so smart and so thrifty to be shopping early. But there was so much dumb stuff on sale at Walmart for $5-20 that we ended up buying things we never even thought of. Things like: a pancake flipper, a boombox and a popcorn popper that all looked fun in the package but that the people we gave them to never used, not even once! After that, I realized how silly and wasteful it was to (literally) buy into the holiday shopping frenzy, just to be able to say we bought someone a gift.
After all, what we remember most about the holidays is the time we spend with the people we love, not the stuff they bought us.
Now that I’m practicing living with less, I’m predictably anti-Black Friday and all other over-the-top holiday consumerism. The retailers and marketers would love to have us believe that we NEED the next iGadget or the newest line of clothing and what better time to get it than 50, 60, 75 percent off? Yet, after the temporary high of playing with our new toy or wearing that new outfit, we usually revert back to our previous level of contentment. Why? Because having more stuff does not make us happier. Experiences do. Accomplishing our goals does.
But enough of my soapbox! That’s not why I wrote this post. I just wanted to share a few rules you might consider for yourself as you shop (or fight the urge to shop) not only today but during the rest of the holiday season.
Two Rules for Black Friday (and All Other Holiday Purchases):
- Buy it only if you really need it. (Items that replace something worn or broken that you use/wear often. Things you’ve been saving up for and that the holiday discount will finally allow you to afford. Tools that will help further any of the goals you have for your business, career or your ideal life in general.)
- Buy it for someone else, but only if they really need it. (Ask yourself if your sister really needs another random $100 gift card from you to show you care. It might be worth more to use the money for a special girls night out, just the two of you. That’s a memory you will likely keep with you for the rest of your life.)
You can honor yourself by spending your money in a way that feeds your goals and dreams, rather than takes away from them. This is what I think of every time I even think about taking out my credit card to buy a new item of clothing. This is why for me, Black Friday (or any other shopping extravaganza) just doesn’t make sense in the context of the goals I have for my life in general.
I’ve finally realized that I don’t need it all. I just need enough.
What about you? Does Black Friday help you meet your goals? How do you navigate the holiday shopping season?
happyblackwoman
happyblackwoman
happyblackwoman
happyblackwoman
Honestly, I’ve always tried to stick to a budget when it comes to shopping and it has never steered me wrong. Because I don’t really have time or money to waste, black friday was more about promoting my own products as well as some of the women I’ve “met” through social networking. I did more pay it forward than buying this year and in doing that my goals were met. I Hope you enjoy the rest of this beautiful season, and keep up the great work Rosetta. You are very inspiring
Read my latest blog post…Gratefulness Is Flowing From My Heart
It amazes me that the day after [now not even the next day] we say how thankful we are for what we have, is the biggest example of materialism and discontent of the entire year. I don’t know whether that’s ironic or sad.
But black Friday is overrated for a number of reasons, and honestly, something that most people don’t know, especially with electronics, you’re buying refurbished items, yes the same ones that you could get for the same or less discount any other day. Black Friday is a great time for companies to unload used, older model, slow stock items and people just eat it up.
I personally don’t understand the appeal, esp since I’m one of those people who hate shopping in a crowd, it’s impossible, and I also don’t like feeling pushed into buying something, nor standing outdoors at 2am waiting to possibly buy something *shrugs* But then again I’m more of an experience vs material person anyway
I’m always appalled at the way people act, especially ones who are struggling and complaining in this economy, like hello!? PUT-THE-TV-DOWN.
There was a guy in my area who camped out in front of Best Buy, for two weeks to be first in line for Black Friday this year…
…yes, you read that right, two weeks, tent and all.
I just…I cant.