“He who buys what he does not need, steals from himself.” — Swedish proverb

It’s not a deal if you weren’t ever going to buy it.

It’s not a deal if you don’t use it regularly or take full advantage of it.

It’s not a deal if you have to wait in line for hours just to get it.

Of all the things we get in life, time is the most valuable. Make sure you use it wisely and don’t just fall victim to the mass media and retail machine that wants to convince you that you need something you don’t to be happy.

Look around you. Most people don’t use most of what they already own on a regular basis.

Maybe what you already have is enough this year.

Maybe staying home on Thanksgiving, instead of shopping, will send a signal to retailers that spending time with friends and family is more important than some savings on another piece of plastic that won’t be worth much a year from now when they want to convince you to stand in line to buy another.

Are we really so easily manipulated as to be convinced that more stuff makes us happy?

Actually, yes. We are.

But we don’t have to be.

Do what makes you happy. Please. I’m not suggesting you don’t shop on Black Friday. That’s up to you. But if you do, be smart about it.

And make sure it’s really *you* talking and not retailers who care more about their bottom line than they care about you.

Otherwise, that Swedish proverb is true and you really will be stealing from yourself. And retailers will be glad to have you do it.

Related:

• Offsite: He who buys what he does not need, steals from himself.
• The cost of ownership
• Ways to find encouragement: Lighten your load
• A tough pill to swallow
• Change your priorities and you change your life.
• Your greatness is not measured by how much you’re able to gain…
• Authentic people don’t have to make a show of their success or value to appear successful
• Don’t let the things you own end up owning you.
• Learn to let go.