Aah, today is black friday…one of the worst shopping days in the United States. It’s the day you’re supposed to save money but if you’re not careful could end up costing you a lot more in the long run.

Each year, all of the major retailers pull you into their stores with unbelievable deals…today for example Walmart had a laptop for $198 and an HDTV for $228…kids toys and games also super duper cheap, most of them around $8-10.

It was kind of tempting, all these great sales and all. But you have to be realistic: You’re not going to get many of those sales. Oh sure, if you get there you might be lucky enough to get a $4 blender or something…but for the big ticket items you either need to be prepared to be the first person in the store and hopefully not get trampled or shot at (it has happened in the past)…otherwise you’re not going to get it. I get mad at all of this because really it pretty much is “bait and switch” – they get you in the store because of their sales, and then you get there and they don’t have them. I understand their whole supply/demand/etc. thing…but why not charge like $40 more and have more available to people? I’d still buy a $400 laptop for $250.

My hubby and I last night looked carefully at the stuff that was on sale, and we decided we’d rather spend the day working today and make more $$$ than what the potential savings would be.

This will likely even save us even more money because rather than spending $250 on a tv we don’t really need, maybe I’ll instead get snow tires for the car, which we do need. And there won’t be any impulsive spending moments in the store either, so that will likely save us a good bit also.

Yes, I will have to finish up my Christmas shopping eventually. I already got a few gifts from Amazon.com – and if you do want something that happens to be on sale today I definitely recommend you get it online. Not only does it save you the hassle and the stress and the exposure to germs everywhere (which would result in you buying cold medicine, caffeinated beverages, etc.) you will also save around $10-$20 in gas and another $25 for breakfast or lunch. (Hey, all that shopping makes you hungry!)

Hope you all have a safe, happy, and money saving Black Friday at Home!