I read this quote somewhere: “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”
Yesterday was Thanksgiving, the day when we define what we are grateful for. The day when we realize we have enough. Today is Black Friday, the day when we turn around and realize we need more.
This is one way to see it. But can you see what is happening today any differently?
I am wondering because I don’t want to be cynical. I am also always trying to see things from another angle. And well yes, I don’t want to be a hypocrite because I enjoy getting a better deal myself.
Point one: Intention. For example, my son is excited to get a good deal for his sister’s Christmas present. He enjoys giving gifts and Black Friday deals allow him to give more. I think this is a good thing.
And again one can rightly say that Christmas is not about buying more or getting more. Like Thanksgiving, it should be about less. Presents shouldn’t be the focus of Christmas. I both agree and disagree at the same time. Maybe Christmas can also be about exchanging gifts. But that’s another discussion.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with selfless giving. Intentions matter.
Next point: Personal economics. If you buy something tomorrow for more than you would have to pay today, you are wasting money. Of course, if you buy something you would never have bought just because it is discounted today, then you are also wasting money.
So if you have your budget and know what you need to buy within the next few months, then it is a reasonable thing to do to look out for good deals. Sometimes they happen the day after Thanksgiving. Sometimes they don’t. As long as greed doesn’t consume you, I think you are fine.
Third point: As weird as it is, Black Friday has become a personal tradition. I actually enjoy it, because I know I don’t need more stuff and can easily go without buying more. As I am writing this, I still use an iPhone 5 that I could have upgraded 3 years ago. My laptop is six years old. Having the newest stuff is nice, but doesn’t make me happier than I already am. I am grateful for what I have.
Fourth point: We live in a capitalist system. Money needs to be spent, it’s good for our economy. The quicker the money moves from one hand to another the better everyone is off. This is the theory at least. The U.S. economy is an economy of spenders and not of savers, quick to go down, but also quick to recover. Like it or not Black Friday is a symbol of the system we live in.
Having said all this, I do feel for the retail workers who over the last years have been forced to work sooner and sooner into Thanksgiving Day itself. This is a part I don’t understand and I don’t appreciate.
I also don’t like greed. It brings out the worst in people when they trample over each other only to buy in the end meaningless junk.
All in all, it remains a weird day.
I hope you make a good deal without being a jerk.