Black Friday is a shopping event that traditionally occurs the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. It marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season and is known for offering significant discounts and promotions from retailers. 

Key Aspects of Black Friday

Origin:  The term "Black Friday" originated in Philadelphia in the 1960s, initially referring to the heavy traffic and chaos caused by shoppers. Over time, it evolved into a nationwide term associated with retail sales and shopping.

Massive Discounts: Retailers, both in-store and online, offer substantial discounts on a wide range of products, including electronics, clothing, home goods, and more. It's an opportunity for consumers to buy items at lower prices.

Crowds and Chaos: Traditionally, Black Friday is characterized by large crowds, long lines, and sometimes even stampedes as shoppers compete for limited-time deals. However, in recent years, many people have shifted to online shopping.

Cyber Monday: The Monday following Black Friday, known as Cyber Monday, focuses on online shopping deals. Together, these two events create a weekend of sales.

Global Spread: Although Black Friday started in the U.S., it has become a global phenomenon, with countries around the world adopting similar sales events.

In recent years, many retailers have extended Black Friday sales to include the entire week or even the whole month of November. This shift has made the event more accessible and less focused on a single day. 

We shall come back to this....

The term "Black Friday" has an interesting history with two primary origins:

Philadelphia Traffic and Chaos (1960s). The term was first used in Philadelphia during the 1960s by police officers and city officials. It described the day after Thanksgiving when massive crowds of shoppers and tourists flooded the city for holiday shopping and the annual Army-Navy football game. The heavy traffic, overcrowded streets, and increased shoplifting created a chaotic atmosphere, leading police to refer to the day as "Black Friday."

Retail Profitability (1980s). In the 1980s, the term took on a more positive meaning. Retailers began using it to describe the day when their businesses moved "out of the red" (losses) and "into the black" (profits) due to the high volume of sales. The phrase gained traction as a way to emphasize the financial success of the day rather than the earlier negative connotations.

Today, "Black Friday" is widely associated with shopping deals and discounts, but its historical roots reflect both the chaos of the event and its significance to retailers.

Yes, you can save a significant amount of money on Black Friday if you shop strategically. However, the amount you save depends on how well you plan and what you're looking to buy. Here are some tips to maximize your savings:

Look for Big-Ticket Items. Best Deals tend to be Electronics like TVs, laptops, and smartphones; kitchen appliances; and home goods are often heavily discounted.

Compare Prices. Use price-comparison tools or apps (like CamelCamelCamel or Honey) to check if the sale price is actually a good deal. Some retailers inflate "original prices" to make discounts look larger.

Shop Online and In-Store. Online: Many deals are available online, sometimes even earlier than in stores (especially on Amazon or major retailer websites).

In-Store: Some doorbuster deals are exclusive to physical locations.

Plan Ahead. Make a List: Stick to a list to avoid impulse purchases.

Check Ads Early: Many retailers release their Black Friday ads ahead of time so you can plan where to shop.

Sign Up for Alerts: Subscribe to newsletters or apps from retailers for early access to sales.

Shop Smart. Price Match: Some retailers offer price-matching policies even during Black Friday.

Coupons and Cashback: Stack coupons, store rewards, or credit card cashback offers for additional savings.

Watch for Hidden Costs: Be cautious about shipping fees and avoid overspending on items that aren't discounted as much as they seem.

Beware of Gimmicks. Not Everything is a Deal: Some products, especially lower-quality models made specifically for Black Friday, may not be worth the "discount."

Patience Pays: If you miss a deal, similar or better discounts may be available during Cyber Monday or year-end sales.

By planning ahead and focusing on genuine deals, Black Friday can help you save money — especially (only?) on items you already planned to buy.

OK, land the plane Tom.............

IF you were going to buy it anyway, and IF you can truly prove that the (product, service, item) is truly AT A DISCOUNT compared to what it was 30, 60, 90 days ago and IF there is no 'fine print' or hidden costs, well then have at it! Just remember, retailers did not lose their minds. They are not going to LOSE MONEY on a transaction just because it is the holidays. Know what is worse than no business? BAD business. 

If you can buy at $100 Gift Card for $50 from a store that you often shop at... go for it. If you are a frequent Uber user and you can buy your next 10 Uber rides for 50% off, great. If you were going to buy THAT EXACT THING anyway, then let math be your friend. 

Just remember that the same algorithms and social media and mass media manipulations that made billionaires so wealthy, these Jedi Mind Tricks are not on vacation during Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Know how Halloween Candy is suddenly really cheap on November 1st? Use that same logic. 

If you really (really) want to save money - if saving the maximum amount of MONEY is your objective, well then hold.....hold.....HOLD and then BUY BUY BUY anytime after 12/25/2024 and before 1/1/2025.