by Wanda Williams Jackson

Created on: November 26, 2008

Black Friday Could Put You in the Red

Around the country this week after the turkey and gridiron traditions of Thanksgiving people will get up before day to celebrate another holiday "Black Friday." But this year why don't we get together and cause a "blackout." That's right, don't fill your tank with gas and play musical parking spaces at the mall. No incessant waiting in interminable lines to get the last "Wii" on the shelf.

"But it's tradition," you cry! Even the best of money-based traditions come with the caveat "buyer beware" and, if I might add one of my own, "buyer be reasonable!" Is it really necessary to spend all the money you don't have on people you don't know, buying things they don't need? The retailers have it in for us every year and the underlying subliminal message in every ad is "If we sell it, they will come." And come we do. I have a personal friend who stood in a line in the cold early morning air with one hundred other strangers to get one of only thirty laptops that some store was selling for $100. Even though she knew the odds were against her coming home with a new computer, she did it anyway.

In this present economy it is finally time for consumers to get smart. Yes, we want our loved ones to know how much we care (and co-workers we don't know as well to know we're not cheapskates) but can we do it with a bit more reserve this year? Mortgage payments, rent, insurance payments, these are the things we should put first on our shopping list. What good are toys for our tots if the whole family will be out in the cold the next month? I recently read where one family is giving vouchers, promises for services they will gratefully render when the need arises. Need your car worked on this spring; call in that voucher from Aunt Rose. If you're in need of babysitting services for a well-deserved night out on the town; call in the voucher from Mom and Dad. Why not give to our spouses, our children, and our neighbors the time and attention they need and deserve? In these times many are working two or more jobs just to make ends meet, so days off are precious and worth more than money. If we spend the holiday loving on our loved ones what an impact it will make. This year instead of giving gifts out of sheer obligation and embarrassment, give with your heart and give your wallet a rest. Remember, God loves a cheerful giver, not a begrudging curmudgeon. And when you do buy, and I know you will, take cash instead of a smoking credit card. That will ensure that "Black Friday" won't be followed by "Red Saturdays" to come.

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