Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday, Museum Shop Sunday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday…
Sounds familiar this time of year. But remember that the little minx Wendy who is inventing these names doesn’t care about you. What they care about is separating you from your hard earned cash, whether you need it or not.
So, in these days after Thanksgiving, remember…
- You don’t need to shop the sales. You don’t save any money buying something at a discount that you then don’t use. Buy things when you need them and will use them.
- You don’t need a special day to shop small local businesses. Shop them all the time, when you need the things that they sell. It is worth paying a little more to keep them in business throughout the year so they are there when you need them. Sometimes, saving that 25c doesn’t do much good for the world.
- You don’t need a special day to shop museum stores. Visit, learn, and cherish them year round — and buy from their stores that which you need and adds good memories to your life and house. Buy something unique, not a mass produced item with a name stamped on it.
- You don’t need a special day to shop online. Those retailers are there 365/7/24. They will always appreciate your business — especially the small businesses and creative artists.
- You don’t need a special day to donate to your favorite charities. They need year-round funding.
The holidays — whichever holidays during this time that you celebrate — are primarily about the meaning of that holiday, and celebrating that meaning with family and friends. It is not about crass commercialism and buying everything under the sun, no matter how the media and the marketeers try to convince you otherwise.
Thus ends this public service announcement. You may continue with your lunch.
My erstwhile employer has recently implemented an alert system from employees after a nearby police incident a few months ago highlights problems with the old system. This is all well and good. However, I do believe there are a few bugs to be worked on.