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This week, you'll be bombarded with commercials, blog posts and newspaper ads for Black Friday, the biggest day of the shopping year.
It's almost impossible to avoid hearing about the sales and specials and people who think it's a good idea to get up at 2 AM to go stand in line to buy stuff.
But you don't have to get caught up in the hype. Here are three ways to avoid it.
Remind Yourself: You Don't Need More Stuff
Have you ever found yourself buying something you really don't need? Black Friday is the day that will happen.
Avoiding more stuff is one of the central tenants of a frugal lifestyle. If you don't really need something, you shouldn't buy it. Even if it's such a great deal you can't pass it up, ask yourself this: are you just getting more stuff?
Disconnect From the Media
You can only be tempted into purchasing stuff if you allow yourself to be marketed to. Instead of sitting at the computer or watching TV, use the holiday for the right reason — to spend time with your family.
Unplug from the marketing and promotion machine. It's not worth it. For real.
If you don't let them talk to you, you won't be affected by them.
Consider the Alternative: Where Else Could Your Money Go?
It's almost the end of the month. If you're thinking about going shopping on Black Friday, consider how much you might spend. Wouldn't that be better placed in your savings onion?
When you've got money in your hand, take a second and think about what it's going to be doing for you. You want your money to work hard for you — is it better spent paying off your debt? How about saving for a house?
It's your decision to make.
Since I have no debt to speak of, and I already own my house outright, and since I've already maxed out my contributions to my 401k and to various local charities, I'm going to hit the local electronics stores on Black Friday to finally build myself a new computer for the first time in seven years. I'll be donating my old system (suitably wiped clean) to a local family in need.
In the meantime, I'm hitting Black Friday because I am looking to save anywhere from 30%-60% on computer components, and thus extend my frugality by maximizing the quality of the components I get for what I am going to pay.
As for family, most of my family, outside of my wife, children and grandchildren are unpleasant people and the less time spent with them, the better for all.
Does it get much better? Not unless I get all the stuff I want for free.
Great post. Hysterical comments. (That's why I read this site so much, there's an educated bunch here.)
I think you'd agree that "conscious" living is the point. If we're clear about our budget and enjoy crowds (find it fun) then by all means, let's help the vendors - they need the business.
If you're annoyed by the materialism of it all, and are trying not to (emotionally) temp yourself away from your well thought-out goals, then I agree with your suggestions: basically ignore the advertising, which is something we all have to do. (And of course there are creative people out there trying to get us not to ignore their advertisements. It's an interesting game.)
For sure this Thursday is an agreed upon day that we all can take and just enjoy, in whatever way really supports us. On Friday, I certainly don't need more stuff, although I do have to take some time to clarify my gift plans. (I'm never really ready to shop on Black Friday, don't care for long lines and tend to do things last minute. I have some hand-made gifts in mind, I might work on them over this weekend.)
Actually I might work Friday, which is another way to avoid the shopping mania, although it will be all over the news.
I used to find "sales, sales, sales" stuff annoying, but nowadays I just wonder who is actually shopping, and who is just browsing, and how some vendors get 75% (or more) of their business in November and December, so there's big money on the line, on this day, and for the next few weeks. (Retail fiscal year is usually put off until March, because their recovering from their peak of sales.)
Bottom line, with whatever resources you have, it's important to have a plan on how you're going to best use them....
Ideally, of course.
I've gone to Black Friday events and they have been awful. Not only do the objects on sale tend to suck but the attitudes of people are dreadful as well.
Buy your stuff a week ahead and opt for a price adjustment.
I'm already running out of storage space and my closet is getting full. No Friday shopping for me. Thank God!
If you're a real geek, what better way to flex your geek prowess, than by stepping on and over other geeks to save 75% on the latest hardware?
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