Today is Friday

We've probably all received numerous emails this week about " Black Friday Sale ," " Black Friday starts early, " or " Black Week is underway ." With discounts, coupon codes, and seemingly incredible slashed prices, these ads and emails lure us into online shops. Black Friday heralds the start of the Christmas season, and with it, a clear starting signal for overconsumption.

Where does all this even come from? Black Friday in the USA is the Friday after Thanksgiving and is considered the start of the Christmas shopping season.

How good are the deals on Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday really? In fact, even though they seem very tempting, consumers often don't save much. Consumer advocates criticize the fact that the discounts on these "sale days" are frequently artificially inflated . According to their analysis, the discounts are often not based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), but rather on inflated, unrealistic prices, which are intended to make the offer seem irresistible. A 50% or 60% discount should set off alarm bells for most people. It's best to compare offers from other retailers before falling into the trap.

Savings of 10 to 25% are still realistic, but of course you should act thoughtfully and not just buy something because it's so cheap. Before you blindly jump at the offers, here are a few good questions to consider:

1. Would I pay full price for this product?
2. Do I have something similar at home, or can I convert something similar at home?
3. Should I borrow it or find it used?
4. Okay, but do I really need this?
5. Is it durable?
6. Will I still want it next year?
7. Is it something I've wanted for a long time?
8. Does the brand/product align with my values?

But why not just go on a shopping spree and let consumption run wild? Everyone here has probably heard often enough that overconsumption and unnecessary consumption are bad for the environment and climate . But of course, you shouldn't just think about the stuff you probably wouldn't have bought without the discounts, but also about packaging, shipping, and the people involved in making our new purchases. Unnecessarily huge amounts of waste are generated these days, and the bins quickly fill up with packaging, cardboard boxes, or even impulse buys. The surge in demand at delivery services is not only extremely stressful for suppliers , but also results in a significant increase in CO2 emissions . Deliveries to your doorstep always require extra work and generate additional CO2.

Besides the stressed suppliers, you should also think about the workers in the rest of the supply chain when you're about to fall for a deal. Ask yourselves if you really want to actively support the working conditions, such as those in the fast fashion industry, with your money.

Are you wondering what you should do today? Here's our suggestion: If you find something on sale today that you've been saving up for and really need and want, then take advantage of it! Otherwise, don't be swayed by discounts and red numbers , and don't buy anything you didn't know you needed. So:

Buy less and more thoughtfully.

Boycott unethical companies.

Make sure your belongings last you a long time.

It's better to support charitable causes that advocate for social justice.

Continue to advocate for climate justice and climate action.

For us, this Friday is just as nice as any other before the weekend. That being said, since we reject and no longer want to support Black Friday and everything behind it, you won't find any crazy deals here today.

Think twice before you click "buy," and you'll save the most today by not buying anything at all.