Facepalm Friday

Yes, I'm up early on the day after Thanksgiving.  No, I am not going to line up somewhere to get fight a mob of crazy shoppers to get into the spirit of peace and goodwill.  Feel free to look up the various anecdotes on how it became called Black Friday (whether from law enforcement's point of view, or the retail industry's).  For me it's become Facepalm Friday.

Not that I would begrudge people the opportunity to get something for less.  I just hope more people are going to be wise about it.  I get it.  Something marked 75% off is tempting.  It's an opportunity to get something you wouldn't normally.  But ask yourself some questions.  Is it something you would have purchased now, or in the near future, if it were still full price?  If you see a great deal on something you weren't planning on, and it's "too good to pass up," can you get that instead of something else?  Did you have a plan to begin with?

Look, I'm all for saving money on something you really want.  I believe in the dream that you can have it all.  Just maybe not necessarily all at once.  My point is, go after the deals on things you were already planning to buy, and don't get sucked into spending more than you have, or more than you planned.

As for gifts, I understand.  I used to love opening presents, and even when it was kitcsh, it was great having many boxes to open.  Oh wait, I still love that, but that's not the point.  You don't have to buy something for everyone.  You don't need to get involved in every office Secret Santa or community or neighborhood gift exchange, especially the ones with a dollar amount range.  My family does a White Elephant at our gatherings, and it's always amusing.  It really demonstrates how one's trash is another's treasure.  Although in my family, it has become more like one's trash is another's "what on Earth is that?"  Either way, you still get to enjoy the look on everyone's faces.  They're usually quite hilarious.

As for me, I am using the extra day off of work to spend some time, and a little money, with friends. Tomorrow, I'll be participating in the Shop Local, Small Business Saturday, focusing on LGBT businesses like Outwords Books in Milwaukee. While there, I'll stop at Melthouse Bistro, owned by a friend and her husband.

I do need to add some decoration.  Dad is setting up his own tree this year, so I won't be able to use his ornaments.  For that, however, there's Goodwill, plus some lovely rainbow themed stuff from Outwords.

The election may be over, but this is a time when everybody gets multiple votes, with every dollar we spend. Whether you believe corporations are people or not, this is the time when you have the power over their futures.  Use it well.