Yikes! Black Friday!

I came across some photos from SFGate.com about the shopping frenzies happening all-over the nation this Black Friday--it's enough to keep the sanest people at home. What's the deal? It's part thrill of lining up with hundreds of other people, scoring big ticket items at a deep discount, and for some, the true signal of the start of the Christmas season. I've never lined up for anything--ok, except to be a contestant for The Price Is Right (never got past the 3rd round) and get the iPhone 3GS when it launched--and that was due to my husband eager to get it and my cell phone at the time had been dead for over a week (not really smart when you're out and about with a baby--for emergency purposes of course). It was pretty exciting to be in line and share the enthusiasm or stupidity of doing it. I mean Old Navy opened its doors at 3 a.m.! Old Navy is such a bargain already, what more could you want to get your butt out of bed and stand in line beginning at 12 a.m.? All right, if I had multiple children to buy for, yeah it'd be a great deal. Times are tough these days, so scoring deals is a PLUS.

I remember last year Mr. Fliz thought seriously of getting up with our then NEWBORN to line up at Best Buy (he says, it's because the baby would be up anyway and it was during his shift--so why not?)--the reason--none. He just wanted to do it. Of course, I said no-leave the baby with me if you really need to fulfill this desire of hitting Best Buy as soon as their doors open to just "window shop." But he actually looks forward to lining up someday to get Micro the next "Tickle Me Elmo" or "Wii." In order to survive Black Friday or Christmas shopping in general--have plenty of snacks on hand (not just for the kids, but for yourself too), take frequent breaks if needed, and make a list--stick to your budgets as best you can (maybe pay in cash). 

If you have any crazy Black Friday stories, I'd love to hear them. Post it in the comments below. Happy Shopping All--and maybe, just maybe, you might see me out there helping the economy out today.

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/besighyawn/ / CC BY 2.0

Doesn't his face say it all?