Imagine consumers clamoring to get a discount on sheets/big screen T.V.’s/computers/games/Xbox…..you name it, it was on sale on the infamous Black Friday. However, I must ask America, was the death of an innocent man, bruised elderly, and injured children worth it all? Have we really stooped so low as to think that a thing is worth more than a human life or bodily injury to loved ones?
Black Friday was created for one reason, and only one reason, to get more of your money. The big named stores put items on sale with a very limited amount to cause shopping envy and mayhem. This day was created to start the Christmas shopping off to a great start. To give folks a chance to buy big ticket items that they normally could not afford at the regular price. However, this little shopping day has turned into a blood bath of people with a pack mentality to be the first one in line.
Each year it astounds me how worse this day becomes. Pepper spray, pushing elderly folks out of the way just for a sale on an item that will be lost, forgotten or broken months down the line. Was it worth it America? Was it worth looking like idiots on YouTube? Was it worth bodily harm to your children? Wake up America. We have been going through this economic meltdown for a reason. To wake up to the fact that we have over spent, over extended, and over promised ourselves into debt. We need to pay attention to our bank accounts and start saving instead of spending beyond our means. You may want to be a slave to the big banks by paying exorbitant fees, however I do not.
So here’s my suggestion for next Black Friday.
Big Named Stores:
- Run your Black Friday specials online only, not in the stores.
- Protect your consumers/employee’s.
- Allow them to enjoy Thanksgiving with their family instead of corralling a bunch of crazed consumers.
- Save yourself money and give your employee’s a bonus instead of having to hire security for a day of consumer blood bath.
Consumers:
- Open a Christmas account whereby you save for next year’s Black Friday event and pay cash with your debt card.
- Plan out your day of shopping wisely without having to go overboard financially. Remember there are more important things to life than STUFF!
- Shop online in the safety of your own home without putting yourself or your family in danger of the pack mentality.
I personally believe this recession happened for a reason, to teach us all a lesson. To spend within our means, save money, and be kinder to our neighbors and loved ones. After all, stuff is stuff, it can’t keep you warm at night, give you love or a shoulder to cry on. It’s just stuff.
Yes, we are slowly pulling out of a very rough economic recession, but we also need to remember that we are all still human and must treat others how we would want to be treated. After all, would you be happy if you found out that your 80 year old grandmother or mother was injured over a Black Friday special? Would you be celebrating if you found out that your child was trampled to get an Xbox? We need to remember what’s important, people, not stuff.
Let’s do it America. Shop smartly, go online. Keep your family and yourself at home on Black Friday.
