Since the month of February is coming around the corner I can’t help but to notice that every retailer out there is in full swing trying to sway people to by gifts for Valentine’s Day. The thing is too for a lot of the items I see that companies are pushing they don’t exactly seem like romantic things to buy but rather the holiday is just used as a way to get people to buy things.
Example, I was looking at one ad that showed how buying a girl a BlackBerry Storm with a 3 year plan is the perfect gift. While I’m sure anyone would be happy with that, wouldn’t someone feel weird in general getting a $200+ item for Valentine’s Day as well as having someone paying the $40+/month to service it as a way to show their love in a romantic way?
Kind of makes you wonder about the nature of programmed spending, so to speak, where people think they must buy something big because the companies tell you that it is the day to spend. I usually try to do the opposite with days like these when it comes to money. Basically, I try to focus more on seeing what I can do without money first as in my opinion the whole intent is to celebrate something in a thoughtful way. I usually see having to spend a lot of money for occasions like these as an absolute last resort.
I would think days like these would be the perfect time to be creative too. Example, if you have some basic technical skills I’m sure whipping up some kind of well thought out slideshow or video about some precious memories would be more significant than buy an expensive item as a way to show your love.
Interesting thing too is that I notice many times that this day depresses a lot of single people and what many do is rally up and spend money anyways on themselves as a way to not feel left out. Doesn’t that make you more depressed afterwards to have an empty wallet I was thinking? This day should be mainly about relaxing and not busting your wallet if you are single I’d say.
Maybe someone should create a book or video on how to “de-program†yourself from spending simply because it is a holiday. 😀
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