35 Things to Do Instead of Shopping on Black Friday

I saw an article by Adbusters.org that encouraged people to avoid shopping on Black Friday and have called it “Buy Nothing Day”.  A video in support of this initiative was banned by MTV and other networks.  “Buy Nothing Day” is an international day of protest in North America on Black Friday and on November 24 internationally. It was started in September 1992 in Mexico and adopted in North America in 1997.   It is now celebrated in 65 nations. Adbusters.org renamed “Buy Nothing Day” to “Occupy Xmas”.  Instead of going to large stores they encourage consumers to support local and small businesses or make your own gifts.

I am not against helping the economy. I am against consumers following prey to the gimmicks, marked up prices and false advertisements to lure people to the stores to go into debt causing people to fight, trample others, argue, act rude and lose sight of the meaning of the holidays. If you have the cash to purchase gifts by all means do so.  If you don’t this is where the problem lies.  Going into debt:  doesn’t help the economy if you don’t pay off your debt, prevents you from paying another bill and doesn’t enhance your life.  

I was intrigued by the article and realized I was one of few Americans who would not be at the store on Black Friday.  I started thinking how different would the country be if we did not participate in Black Friday and used that time and energy for others things. We could eliminate hunger and poverty in the U.S., we could ensure all those without food had a meal every day, we could buy from local and small businesses which employ over 50% of employees in the U.S., we could pay down personal debt which would help businesses earn revenue and more. Here are 35 things to do instead of going shopping on Black Friday.

1. Hide your credit card and debit card so you don’t make any purchases today
2. Clean your house
3. Do volunteer work
4. Spend time with your family and friends
5. Donate your time and money to a charity
6. Develop a new idea to start a business
7. Take time out for yourself to relax
8. Exercise
9. Organize documents to file your taxes this year
10. Balance your checkbook or bank accounts
11. Pay bills
12. Learn a new skill
13. Visit the sick and shut-in
14. Make new friends
15. Attend a networking event
16. Reconnect with old friends
17. Apologize to anyone you may have hurt in the past
18. Give back money you borrowed from friends or family
19. Water your plants
20. Give a word of encouragement to someone who needs it
21. Wash your car
22. Clean out your garage
23. Rake leaves in your yard
24. Walk your dog
25. Turn off the TV. and read a book
26. Full up your gas tank
27. Take your car for maintenance/repairs
28. Make a commitment to eliminate one bad habit
29. Create a plan to pay off your debt
30. Create a plan to start an emergency fund to cover all monthly expenses for 9-12 months
31. Review insurance policies and beneficiaries and make any necessary updates
32. Help your children with their homework
33. Write down 5 things you are grateful for
34. Tell your family and friends how much you love them
35. Watch a comedy movie