Buy Nothing Day

I have to admit that I didn't really plan to participate in Buy Nothing Day this year. And I did buy some groceries and get a hair cut, so technically I DID buy some things. But I did decide, after seeing the news of people camping out to get the "good deals", to not do any present shopping today.

I would've only done a few little things online - since most of my local people are getting non-commercial presents - anyway. But it really did make me question the sanity of our society to hear that someone has been camping outside of Circuit City since TUESDAY just to get a good deal. SERIOUSLY?

Clearly I'm operating under a seriously outdated set of principles, but, FWIW, here is what I think: If you can't afford it, don't buy it. If you have to have it, save your money and get it when you can afford it. I don't want to rely on the whims of big box stores to tell me when I am allowed to buy what I want. If they can do this sale now, they could do it anytime. That means that they are just managing me. And that just irritates me to no end!

Now, I don't have young ones who need the hot new toys that are - oh, so shockingly - never manufactured in enough volume, so I can afford to be a bit contrary on this point. But, in my opinion, this whole Black Friday thing has gotten ridiculously out of hand....