Holiday shopping conversations driving me crazy

[wincrasher]

What is wrong with them? - they put a low price on their dignity.

[disneysteve]

Black Friday shopping is a bizarre phenomenon. Some people actually do it because they think they're getting great deals but I think a lot more people do it just for the experience. One woman at my office does it and admits that most years she doesn't even buy anything. She just does it for fun and to watch everyone else. Still, she gets up at 3am and stands in line to get into the stores with all the other crazies. I'd rather be in bed. But for many people, it is just a holiday tradition, like going to the Thanksgiving Day or New Year's parade and standing out in the freezing cold for hours and hours. Me, I'll sit at home and watch it on TV.

[cschin4]

We can't afford that stuff. How can they?

You CAN afford that stuff, you just choose not to buy it. And, I think perhaps you are being a little too judgemental. In reality, many people are simply going to work all of their lives and have little to show for it. That may not be the route you choose but it is what they choose. Probably many in your staff were raised to live check to check and that may be all they know. And, in reality, it is easy to plan and money begets money. If you are making a good income, you can easily discipline yourself unlike when you are making $8 an hour. So, in some ways this becomes their enjoyment and indulgence in life.
And, people need something to talk about at work by the water cooler. This is the season and the topic of conversation to pass time. So, in other words, don't get grinchy. Just enjoy it and don't rain on their parade by telling them what a waste of money, etc. Smile and say "that's great"!

[cschin4]

I don't make a whole production of it.

Because you are not a girl! C'mon Steve!

[cschin4]

BTW, there is nothing MORE annoying than hearing someone such as yourself say "I can't afford it". You CAN afford to buy whatever you want. Well, maybe not everything but the necessities of life and some luxuries as well. I CAN afford to buy a lot of things but I simply choose not too. But, I never say "I can't afford it" when I know that I can but just don't want to.
So, if anyone pesters me, I just tell them that thing isn't for me.

[disneysteve]

You CAN afford that stuff, you just choose not to buy it.

I don't make a whole production of it.

Because you are not a girl! C'mon Steve!

BTW, there is nothing MORE annoying than hearing someone such as yourself say "I can't afford it".

Guilty as charged. My apologies. No offense intended to anyone who actually can't afford the luxuries. Actually, I'm always the one posting about prioritizing so I should know better.

What is annoying, though, is that these are often the very same people complaining about their bills, their debt, etc.

For the record, I never rain on their parade. I just let them talk and enjoy themselves. In fact, I will periodically chime in with info on how they can get something they are looking for cheaper or tell them why something they are talking about getting really isn't such a good idea and what they should consider instead.

One woman in particular is very internet naive so often spends way too much for stuff because she doesn't know any better. She's the one I'm most likely to give advice to about where to get stuff cheaper online, and she's always very appreciative when I do.

Again, no offense meant to anyone. Like I said, it was a rant and those often aren't the most well thought out posts.

[cschin4]

Steve - No offense! I was just having a bit of fun with you. I know it is all in good fun. But, I do see your point and it is kind of silly to see people bankrupting themselves to buy all this junk!

[cschin4]

Steve - I hope I didn't hurt your feelings! I didn't mean to. Just chatting.

[disneysteve]

Steve - I hope I didn't hurt your feelings! I didn't mean to. Just chatting.

Not at all. On the contrary, I hope I didn't upset anyone who fits the description of the people I was talking about.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

My sister went through a period of about five years in which she and her two girls had very little income (before sister finished school and stepped right into a job that transformed their lives.) I shared my observation with her that she gave her kids such "big" Christmas gifts, compared to the presents my DH & I gave to our child, even though we had much more income. I know my sister did not go into debt to buy her kids presents. She did not even have a credit card. She just was able, even while a full time student working part-time at minimum wage, to save little bits her and there until it added up to some big gifts in December. It was an eye opener when she pointed out to me that I was buying my child lots of very small things through out the year and tended to do the same at Christmas, whereas she was buying her children practically nothing non-essential through the year and gave them something big at Christmas. I think a lot of people would have thought there was no way she could have afforded those things, but believe me, she could not have walked out of the store with them if she could not pay for them upfront.

I am not trying to say that most people are like my sister and can provide a fat Christmas even while making very little income. Obviously some people just keep adding to their debt....And I just would not want to be around to hear about it and witness it. To tell the truth, sometimes the topic of holiday shopping gets to be too much for me here on savingadvice.com. I get kind of tired of it. (Sorry Jeffrey.)

cschin4 said, "If you are making a good income, you can easily discipline yourself unlike when you are making $8 an hour. So, in some ways this becomes their enjoyment and indulgence in life."

Pshaw! When I made very little money, I was far more disciplined in spending than I am now. My spending was in line with my earning. I knew I had to have unwavering discipline, so I did.

[moneybags]

This might explain it...


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