It’s Black Friday. The day we are supposed to be beating down the doors at retailers all over the country, trying to get the best deal.
It wasn’t that long ago that Black Friday was more of a spectator sport for most of us in Canada. Sure, there might be a few sales, but we didn’t have to fight tooth and nail with our friends and neighbours trying to get them. Which just sat back and watched all those people in the United States go insane.
But the madness moved north and Black Friday became a thing in Canada. Although maybe not quite as crazy as we had seen on the news. But there were still deals to be had for those willing to shop ’till they dropped. Or someone dropped them.
I have never been one of those people. I am also not an online shopper, so I don’t avoid it in that way. But I generally have shopped earlier or later, and maybe spent a few dollars more (or maybe not), just to avoid the insanity.
Although I will admit it is sometimes fun to be part of the crowd. I just prefer to do it on my terms.
This year, I have kept hearing reports about how Canadians will be cutting back for this Christmas season. Not spending as much and switching more to needs than wants. Then you hear reports that people plan to spend as much or more over the holiday season this year. It’s hard to know what to believe.
Although as the wonderfully wise Homer Simpson once said, “You can come up with statistics to prove anything. Forty percent of all people know that.”
I do have to admit we will probably be cutting down a bit this year. It’s partially because prices have been going up and there’s still pretty much the same amount of money to go around. But also because we have enough “stuff”.
Sure, the Christmas the entire family got Nerf guns was fun, but I probably didn’t really need my own personal blaster. I’m still quite capable of wrestling a ten year old for control of his weapon, so there are ways we can cut back.
And I may even sneak out to check for a deal or two on some items I’ve been looking for.
I just have to keep reminding myself I’m supposed to be cutting back.