by Lorri B Smalls

Created on: November 10, 2008   Last Updated: February 12, 2012

Black Friday is more than just a day to find great store deals. For many Americans it's a tradition. While it's true that many will definitely find great deals on the latest appliances and electronics, critics often raise valid points over how much consideration is really given by big retail chains in regards to keeping their staff and customers safe when running these doorbusters. Although many will make a dash again for the sales offered after this Black Friday,no store or sale is worth taking risky chances, by engaging in reckless driving or violent tantrums with the store staff or other shoppers, just to get a coveted item.

It's not uncommon to witness people weaving through heavy traffic,standing in long lines, and then camping out in the wee hours of the morning outside retail stores, just to get that one must-have item(s) that's been advertised and hyped up about all week. It's no surprise, then, that common courtesy and respect often fly out the window when the average consumer goes on their find-the-best-deal quest.

During these hard times almost everyone in the family big or small,needs to tighten up on their spending habits. This is food for thought, especially when TV ads are designed to make us feel that the latest and the most innovative products on the market will bring us happiness. The truth is, having the basics in life with a few luxuries is all we need to have contentment. Prioritizing our wants vs. our needs can make any unexpected changes in our personal circumstances much easier to deal with when they arise.

Keeping our lives simple will protect us from the heartache of watching our newly owned possesions, that we often fight so hard to obtain from being taken away , due to the loss of a job, or an unexpected illness that may suddenly put us in a financial bind. As we have all seen in the past few months, the growth of our economy has been a wild rollercoaster of extreme highs and lows. No doubt, it has taught us a dramatic lesson about how we need to view our typical spending habits.

There's nothing wrong with getting a good bargain. Everybody loves to save money. But when it forces us to put our manners and our safety at risk just to get a sale item, we all need to take a step back and figure out if the whole concept of Black Friday is really worth it.

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