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Following our path to Financial Independence and then Retiring Early!

Friday, November 22, 2019

Gifts for everyone

Well it's a week away from the worst day of the year the so called "Black Friday".  This used to be the day stores would put out their first sales for the Christmas season to help generate sales and get the store back on the black side (positive) of the sales equation.

What it is today is a mad house where stores sell very cheap stuff to the masses for small discounts.  Where they sale 60' TV for $30 for the first 5 lucky people to survive the stampede.

This is the season of giving and trying not to go broke.  When my wife and I first married it was typical to give gifts of everyone in her family and mine.  This got silly we were spending so much on small gifts. Over the next few years we talked about how this was effecting out future and how we can change this family tradition without making everyone mad.  After some trial and error we are now trying Secret Santa.  Basically we put everyone's name in a hat and assign a family member to give a gift too.

I worked at a retail store for 5 years through college and as a 2nd job for awhile.  This time of year was really crazy and the stuff that was sold was always the same stuff every year. The problem with this time of year it gets you to buy stuff you don't really want, but only want in that moment and not something you really need.

We just have to remember there will always be another sale and it will be bigger then the next.  A good rule of thumb is if you see something you want wait 72 hours if you still want it and it provides value get it. Otherwise you are better off not getting it.  Avoid the impulse and keep the path to FIRE. 

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