I’m not a shopper, so I don’t really understand Black Friday or the pandemonium it creates. (If I remember correctly, last year was the Walmart crush and people got injured and someone died, didn’t they? Crazy!) I do know that many people get up at the crack of dawn the day after Thanksgiving, usually a day off from work for most people, and hit the stores. I prefer to sleep in on my extra day off. Black Friday shoppers are usually the ones that want that season’s high-ticket item at a “sale price”, and must have it in time for the gift-giving holidays. I prefer to shop online, or purchase family gifts like Omaha Steaks that the whole family can enjoy over the holidays. No rushing to the store or mall, running around with arms filled with shopping bags, wrapping gifts until 2am drinking spiked eggnog (okay, the spiked eggnog part seems fun).
Maybe this is because I don’t have children. I don’t have little voices pleading for the latest iPod or Xbox. Since I don’t watch television, the advertisements I see are on buses or billboards, and this doesn’t make me want to go out and buy that item. My husband and I try and put thought into our gifts, without sinking into debt. We enjoy the idea of giving presents that the whole family can enjoy and use. We are minimalists at heart. It’s better to receive one great gift, than a bunch of useless knick-knacks or over-sized sweaters.
My Black Friday will play out like this:
- Sleep in until at least 9:30am or 10am
- Bike ride over to Starbucks (I’m drinking VIA 3 days a week and saving money, so I can indulge myself)
- Check out the news, realize it’s all sensationalized and remember why I was glad I stayed home today, do something more productive online
- Read and write a quick summary of a few chapters for class
- Write my research report for another class
- Do laundry
- Maybe clean (this is a maybe)
- Download a movie
- Have a beer
- Go to sleep
What a wonderful plan! What are your plans on Black Friday? Are you one of those maniacal shoppers? Do you stay home on this crazy shopping day?
One Comment
Join the conversation and post a comment.
Leave a Comment
Links I Love
usaa widget
- 529 College Savings Plan
Open a USAA 529 College Savings Plan and ensure your child's education has a happy ending!
- Saving for Retirement
Saving for retirement can be tough but USAA's retirement tools makes that process much easier - sign up today!
- USAA Savings Account
Take advantage of a USAA savings account where the more you save, the better your rate becomes.
Every so often I will see something I need on Black Friday for cheap. While I won’t go out, I do usually check online to see if I can get it on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday.
If I do get it, I get a good deal, if I don’t I can wait until another sale comes up.