What could be better than lining up at 2AM outside a retail store, shivering in the cold while guarding your position in line? After all, you will be engaging in the the thrill of competing with other bargain hunters who are also trying to race into the store and grab some deals! Who needs sleep, and who needs all that hard earned money you’ve managed to save?
No thanks. Last year, I posted about the best way to save money on Black Friday, and shared how one can ensure that costs will be kept to a minimum. Again, we want to have fun and enjoy ourselves without overspending, right? Well, I plan to do just that this year, and not go shopping on Black Friday.
Sound boring? Well, I know that it will to many folks. But the question is, are you buying what you need? Or, in the case of many Black Friday shoppers, shopping for sport. Yes, I think that some folks view shopping competitively, or at the very least as a form of entertainment.
Okay, we can all define what constitutes entertainment, so I’m nobody to judge that. I just think that if that’s the case, just admit it. Otherwise, there isn’t much need for people to be waiting in line in the wee hours of the morning, disrupting their sleep cycle just to stampede for savings. In many cases, I really believe that some folks buy things that they don’t need or truly wouldn’t normally buy, but get caught up in the frenzy of great offers.
I’m not saying I won’t buy anything at all during the holidays. Of course I will, as I have quite a few presents to buy for others. And, when I see deals for things that I need for myself, I’ll jump in that way too. The more it can be done online, the better. I do admit though that every holiday season I do like to spend an afternoon out and about, taking in the festivities, etc. It can be a lot fun, of course.
However, Black Friday itself, with all the craziness of weird hours, frenzied crowds, and offers that tempt us to buy things we don’t need? I’ll pass this time. Call me boring, but I’ll have a great day anyway, doing other fun things! Oh, and it will be after getting a great night of sleep as well, keeping in mind the idea that the trade-off between sleep and money is to think about 🙂
My Questions for You
What are your Black Friday plans for this year?
Do you find it worthwhile to jump into the fray and hunt for deals on Black Friday?
Have you ever waited in any really long lines, or gotten to stores at odd hours, in order to get a deal?
Last year Apple had an online discount on the MacBook Air; if they have a discount off of the iPad Mini this time around I could see myself picking one up as a Christmas gift for someone!
My wife is likely going to go out to try to snag some toy deals for the kids. This will leave me at home to take care of them, which is just fine with me 🙂
My plan is to observe Buy Nothing Day! Saves lots of money!