The Curse of Black Friday

Today I heard on the radio that Price Smart (a membership warehouse club in Trinidad) is having "Smart Friday" today to join in with all the post Thanksgiving day sales like the US folk. The less than eloquent shoppers that they interviewed talked about how they stood outside the doors in thick crowds, waiting to be let in so that they could take advantage of the discounts. One man in particular talked about how he did not really need a Flat Screen TV since he had one in both his bedroom and living room, but he decided he would get one anyway because it was cheaper today and he would put it in his daughter's room. I'm sure she is about 7 years old and needs not to be watching any programmes that air after she retires to bed. Another shopper talked about how he wanted a 47 inch TV set but they were all sold so he bought the 55 inch which was out of his budget, but hey, it's smart Friday. I don't know about you, but that does not sound too smart.

The real curse I see is that people are zombiefied and run to the store to spend their hard-earned money carelessly because they have been possessed by the notion that Black Friday Markdowns equal life. They buy so many unnecessary things- things they would not buy on a normal day even if the prices were the same as the marked down equivalent. All the hordes of clothing and electronics only end up in a pile at the back of a closet because (and this may come as news) people don't need so much clothes! When clothes and other items are so inexpensive, we detach a sense of value from them. They become disposable. And that's what we eventually do with them, dispose. That super cute cropped top you got at $3, and $1 each if you bought two, will end up choking a turtle or blocking a waterway.

Don't think I don't appreciate a good dip in price! (You have any idea what a stylist/ blogger in Trinidad makes? It's truly sad.) I love a good bargain! However, a bargain is not a low price on a good you never needed/ never wanted to begin with. That is money out of your pocket and into the garbage. A bargain is when you get an unexpected lower price on an item you really desired, that would add great value to your life.

I say, take advantage of the sales, yes! But do so by looking for the things that you have on your list since July, but could not afford until now. It could be one single piece! It could be a great coat that even though after the discount is still more than an average coat, but it's a coat that fits you impeccably. A coat that is made from breathable fibres, yet keeps you totally warm and cozy in the coldest temps. A coat that looks great with your tulle skirted party dress and your tennis shoes. A coat that you will have forever and ever. That's a bargain.

Break the curse. Don't be a sale zombie. No More Fashion Victims!

nomorefashionvictims.com

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