What I’m NOT buying

Black Friday and Christmas come with shiny store ads promising rock-bottom, can’t miss it, once-a-year deals that can be tempting to even the most frugal of us. 

Some things that have tempted me this year: 

• A $4.99 cent (after mail-in rebate) air fryer
• A $7 crock pot
• $2.99 towels
• A $100 sound bar
• $2 scarves
• …. so many more things

But I don’t NEED any of those things. I have a perfectly functioning, though 30 year old, crock pot and at this point I think it would be disrespectful to retire it before it has cooked its last chicken. 

I don’t need new kitchen gadgets at all actually. I’ll probably purchase a second silicone mat, because I often wish I had more than one and they save money on parchment paper and foil, but I’m also glad I didn’t buy two last year, because what if I had never used it?  

No matter how good the deal, if I don’t need it, it’s a waste of money. 

I will be shopping this Black Friday and Christmas. My family goes every year to buy our Christmas gifts for each other. But we buy socks, underwear, clothing, useful stuff that the receiver picks out and is therefore never disappointed by or will need to return. We’re weird in this gift giving method but I like it. Love it really. 

So many people who preach frugality often say to never buy anything new, and I don’t think that’s the best way to look at things. Things aren’t evil. Spending money isn’t evil and buying gifts isn’t bad at all. 

But intentional spending – spending money only on things that improve your life or bring you joy is a much better way to spend your money. Not because it’s a can’t-miss deal, not because you want an upgrade to something that works perfectly fine. And NEVER on things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them. Just think this Christmas. Don’t shop for junk for yourself or others. Be intentional. And have a great holiday.