10 Reasons To Go Shopping On Black Friday

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  And we all know that the shopping season officially begins with Black Friday.  There is a counter Black Friday movement being led by the likes of hundreds of Frugalist banner waving bloggers.  I've decided not to join their ranks this year.  Perhaps it's because this past week I indulged myself for the first time this calendar year, and bought a like-new pair of Shimano Ultegra 6800 shifters for my road bike.  It was time.  My 6700s were no longer working well, especially the left one.  I also bought a new chain to replace the five-year-old one.

What's my point here?  My point is simply that sometimes it's okay to indulge, especially if you've been "good" all year with your budgeting and savings.  You deserve to spoil yourself once in a while and buy whatever pleases your big heart.  Black Friday, therefore, presents the perfect opportunity to spend, with the added benefit of potentially getting good deals!  But if you're still under the Jedi mind spell of your favorite budget blogger, here are ten reasons why you should break their spell on you and shop on Black Friday:

1.  To channel your inner pirate.  Think of each store or retail center like a town about to be sacked.  To the first pirates go the best spoils.  I don't know about you but that excites the heck out of me.



2.  To help spur the economy.  We are not in Japan!  We are Americans.  So stop all the money hoarding and go out and shop.  Be a good American and help the economy out with your spending.

3.  To get your Christmas shopping done and save on gifts.  Okay, so stores do not always carry enough of the great deals for everyone outside.  But if you set-up camp early enough, you may be able to get a loved one the perfect gift at a discounted price.

4.  Cyber Monday is boring!  Black Friday is about spending anxious time with friends and family.  That nervous energy dissipated among your party has the ability to bond.  You and your compatriots will make memories on this Black Friday, especially if you all make like Caesar and "Veni, vidi, vici."  Just beware the "Ides of March" people, especially if your buddy is after the same exact thing.

5.  To avoid feeling regret.  If you don't go, someone else in your circle of connections will.  With Facebook, and other social media sites constantly helping people show off, you won't be able to get away from all of the excitement created by friends posting their Black Friday exploits.

6.  To finally get that upgrade.  You've postponed making a big purchase for a long time.  You've convinced yourself...or some frugal blogger has convinced you...that there is never a time to make a large purchase.  They're lying to you!  There is a time to make an upgrade type purchase...it's called, Black Friday!

7.  To burn off Thanksgiving dinner calories.  We all eat way too much on Thanksgiving day.  Why not get an early start on burning off that extra two pounds we all gain on Turkey Day by going out shopping?  The added perk is that you get to move through aisles at the store like an NFL running back hitting the hole.

8.  To channel your inner Tom Cruise as IMF agent Ethan Hunt.  Before Black Friday, you get to scour the ads and scout your targets, decide on the best plan of action, and execute your mission!  Fun, isn't it?

9.  To test your anger management skills.  You say you are total Zen?  Ha!  Well, let's see how you do when Handicap Grandma cuts you off in her motorized shopping cart.  You can also show your anger management coach you deserve your certificate because: "I survived Black Friday."

10.  To defy your inner money saving thoughts and everyone else telling you NOT to shop on Black Friday.  This is my favorite reason!

Telling you to go out and shop on Black Friday is easy for anyone to do.  I, however, also want to make sure you have the best planning guides and intelligence you can possibly have.  That's why I want you to go check out the best site for Black Friday deals at http://blackfriday.thepennyhoarder.com/#/.  My friends at ThePennyHoarder have a Black Friday portal that is second to none, and they will also be launching an around the clock live blog for 48 hours starting at 3 p.m. on 11/25.  Thanks for being here today, and don't forget to subscribe to this blog on your way out!