wherein i discuss my mad money management skills

So. I did it.

I actually did it. For the first time in probably about five years.

I went shopping on Black Friday - the day after Thanksgiving - biggest retail nightmare of the year.

And it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

On Friday, me and my mom and my youngest sister Laura all woke up at the ungodly and inhumane hour of 5 a.m. and began the arduous process of finding a shopping cart at a Kohl's that was so packed with people it appeared ready to burst.

You know what struck me the most? (no, it wasn't a smell) It was how nice people were. All that chocolate mocha latte cappucino frappe from the Starbucks across the street must have worked some type of mood-heightening magic, because most of the shoppers were positively amiable. They smiled when you squeezed past them and accidentally stepped on their feet; they picked up the 14 boxes that you dropped because you couldn't find a cart and had to hand-carry 6 boxes in each hand while kicking two boxes down the aisles and they chuckled as you exchanged witticisms while standing in the 40-foot-long checkout line.

The only person who got even a tad snarky was the checkout guy at Harry & David's, who got miffed when I pointed out that the price sign on the cheesecake bites was misleading. Well. It was. I passed college algebra. I can add. The sign didn't make any damn sense that's my story and I'm sticking to it so bah humbug mr. pissed-off cashier man.

My only real problem was that, with all the awesome sales and the tinsel and the bright lights and the Santas and elves and all the green and red, well, I got a bit carried away by the spirit of the season.

Yes, I got suckered by crass commercialism, so what? Everyone will just love their presents and they'll be happy and smiling and they will love me forever and that's worth spending a bit more than I planned to spend this week.

Comments

[Carla]

You know, I didn't think it was that bad either! My mom and I were at the mall at 7am, and we found a parking space quickly, and we rarely waited in a line with more than 3 people.

Of course we didn't brave Belks or Bath and Body Works.

I've found that the best time to shop during the holidays (since I'm a heathen who doesn't go to church) is to go on a Sunday morning (after Thanksgiving) just before lunch. Hubby and I went this past Sunday, and walked right up to registers with no waiting.

[Nan]

You know, Sooz and I used to do that back in the day...I'd come home from college, have turkey dinner, go see the big tree, and then brave the masses on Friday. It just made it seem more like Christmas I guess. Maybe next year...

[Mom]

I really enjoyed having my girls with me. It is more about being together than shopping!