Black Friday is something I’ve never participated in.
I’m not sure why.
Maybe it was because I was too broke to buy anything.
Maybe it was because I couldn’t find child care.
Maybe it was because I used to own a store and had to work.
Maybe it was because Al Gore invented the internet and I could shop online.
I’m not sure.
At various times in my life I’ve had various reasons.
Today, I was not going to shop.
But then my friend sent me a text that I had to go to Michael’s to get the Cricut machine.
So after leisurely getting a Starbucks and dropping the baby off at home I decided to go.
Amazingly I found parking and there was no riot going on.
Things were looking up.
I even managed to find a cart!
Bonus!
What I didn’t know was which Cricut was on sale.
There were three different ones and not a sale paper in sight.
So, I did what any unseasoned Black Friday Shopper would do.
I stuck them all in my cart.
I’ll work it out at the register I thought.
And then they spotted me.
Three ladies with an eagle eye on the contents of my cart.
Oh no, I thought.
Here it comes.
I am going to have to duke it out over a Cricut.
“Don’t get that here! Its on sale for less at Walmart!” screamed one.
“Yes, I have the paper right here” said the other as she pulled out her well read bundle of sale ads.
“Um, Thanks” I said, “But do you think they’ll have any left? I mean doesn’t Walmart open at like 4am or something?”
“Well, we were just there and no one really knew what they were so I’m sure you can still get it there.” Said the third.
“Oh Wow, thanks” I said.
Totally not intending to even go to Walmart.
But did the ladies let me be?
Did they just continue on with their shopping and forget about the non sale items in my cart?
Oh no.
They made me take it out of my cart.
Seriously, I’m not even kidding.
But since I was already in Michael’s I did what any person lacking the thrift gene would do.
I shopped.
I bought all kinds of garbage I didn’t need and that wasn’t on sale.
On Black Friday the biggest sale day of the year, I purchased non sale items.
In my admittedly weak defense, I did get 3 cricut cartridges (for the Cricut I didn’t have) at 60% off !
I know.
I suck.
Some of you ladies can go to the grocery store and leave with the store owing you money.
Or you can feed your family of 15 for $7 a month.
I’m in awe of you.
But can I tell you that I want you to keep your stories of your amazing talent to yourself?
I don’t want to hear about it anymore.
Because every time I try to save money, I end up spending a lot more to do it.
For me to save money, I need to just stay home and stay off the computer.
As I drove to Walmart, I wondered what my amazing talent was.
I mean everyone has one, don’t they?
And clearly, thrifty shopping wasn’t one of mine.
I’ll admit I was getting myself into a funk over my lack of the thrift gene.
After I purchased my Cricut for $65 off (thank-you very much) at Walmart I received another call from my obviously thrifty and experienced Black Friday Shopping friend.
“You have to come to Playmobil right now. For the next 30 minutes you can get 35% off your purchases!”
And then a smile broke out on my face.
It suddenly hit me what my amazing talent was.
My talent is spending a lot of money in an surprisingly short amount of time.
I can get a lot of shopping done in the smallest amount of time.
I get in and I get out.
Quickly and efficiently, if a little expensively at times.
Playmobil didn’t know what hit them!
Hey, everyone has a talent.
Hopefully Big Daddy will learn to appreciate mine.
Happy Shopping!
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THat's valid. Time is money.
Ha Ha. I would have totally bought the Cricut at Michaels because I would have felt guilty for already being the store so you did good. I didn't shop online (or in a store b/c I live 3 hrs from one:) because I said I was going to buy only handmade stuff on Etsy from starving artist. Like that's going to happen. Let's all be real.
Michelle
:snort: You are cracking me up!!!
If I was one of those ladies at Michael's, I would've told you about the sale and still let you buy that one that's in your cart. I would've just given you the big eyes-rolled-back “look at that whacko woman” look as you checked out.
Okay, okay… I would've probably just given you my coupon that I printed off the internet or something instead.
You can't PAY me enough to go shopping on Black Friday! There is not enough money to be saved for me to 1.) get up that early and 2.) deal with all those people. I would much rather wait until Monday when everyone goes back to school and work… get a sitter, grab a friend, hit Starbucks, and then start an entire DAY of shopping together, including lunch. Although we have no Nobu here and I am undecided if I like real sushi, since I have not had anything fancier than what I've been served in business first on a couple flights to Tokyo and back. 🙂
Happy Birthday, my uber talented friend!!!
Wow, Starving artists who sell Eco Friendly Stuff on Etsy…um, good luck with that one.
I don't even think my awesome talent could help you out with that one! Although we won't talk about the obsession with Felt Food I went through about 2 years ago that made me LIVE on Etsy for about 2 weeks. Then the stuff came and I didn't let my daughter play with it, because clearly she didn't appreciate its awesomeness enough! LOL
That's hilarious! I wish I were one of those people who can find great deals. I don't buy much that isn't on sale, but I don't have that talent of having places practically owe me money. With the way my boys eat, I really need to figure out the coupon thing.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. New follower of your blog here. 🙂
Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!
I'm stopping by from SITS. I am awful at bargain shopping. Sometimes I feel I should have these frugal shoppers do my grocery Shopping!
http://www.thewannabewahm.com
I totally would have bought it at Michael's – my luck is putting it back, driving to Walmart, them being sold out, only to end up back at Michael's – where it's also sold out.
All thanks to those well-intentioned busy bodies.
Congratulations on scoring the Cricut!!
Stopping by from SiTS…
LOL That's awesome! I think that might be my talent, too. ;0P
Totally cracking up at those women at Michael's though! Making you put the things back and all! Haha!!
What a day! Glad you got your Cricut at such a good price!
Welcome to the SITS community!
My chicas hit Black Friday, but I stayed home, dealing with Turkey Day leftovers. I know. I'm a Grinch, huh? SITS sent me by, and I'm glad they did…
Beyond Thanksgiving: Butt I'm Thankful for So Much!
I like shopping on Black Friday! I think it's quite fun actually. I do stay away from crazy crowded WalMart though. Best Buy is a total zoo that day too–went last year and probably won't be going there again on that day. I like the malls though. Glad you got your cricut. That's funny they wouldn't let you buy it at Michael's though! They meant well.
Visiting from SITS.
LOL, my sister read this post and told me I HAD to go read it right now! She went shopping on Friday and loved it. I stayed home where people belong ;o)
You do have mad skills, I have to say! I would kill for those skills, whenever I go shopping, it's always at least 4 hours. ugh!
(Can't believe the women actually made you take the Cricuts out of your cart! Geez)
Have I been under a rock? Or oblivious? I love the “new” look! Please tell me it's new and it didn't happen months ago….that would be super embarrassing! Anyway, I can't wait to see what you do with your Cricut! I've got to stop buying vinyl. It's like crack for SAHM's.
I agree! I have no idea what my gift would be, I can save but not really well….
Time is money 🙂