Best Buy had a deal for $1500 that was normally worth over 2k. Even if I saved a ton of cash, I’d still spend more than I had to spend at the moment.

It’s funny how the words “SALE”, “CLEARANCE”, and “WILL NOT BE HERE TOMORROW” tug at emotional buying cues.

NY Times: A Time for Bold Thinking on Housing, Robert Shiller

WE have to consider the possibility that the housing price downturn will eventually be as big as that of the last truly big decline, from 1925 to 1933, when prices fell by a total of 30 percent.

As of this August, domestic home prices were already down 5 percent from their peak 14 months earlier, according to the S.& P./Case-Shiller Composite Home Price Index, and prices were falling at a faster rate in the months leading up to August.

This crisis should be an occasion for some inspired thinking about fundamental changes in our real estate institutions. The actions that have already been taken are not impressive. The housing market is worsening, and more and more home owners are getting into trouble with their mortgages.

The public response to the housing downturn of 1925-33 provides an important lesson in what government and private institutions can accomplish. Back then, people weren’t content with temporary palliatives. They were thinking big, and revolutionary changes were made in real estate institutions. Without those fundamental changes, the Great Depression would have been much worse than it was, and we would be in a more vulnerable situation today.
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For $5.69 extra, I’m getting it shipped to my door. A good thing too..the local store only had five of them available, even though it was prominently advertised in their flyer as an “early bird special.”

The fine print probably said “quantities limited”…but five?! I’m surprised there wasn’t a riot.

The only non-loss leader I got was a cheapo DVD storage unit for $20.

Oh well, I hope BF is a complete bust. I’m going to short the retailers until next black friday. Joe six pack is done and they don’t even know it yet.

Why else would someone choose to get sleep in front of Best Buy to save $50?

Re: After XMas sales, I guess I just tend to think after watching past years that anything called a “sale” before XMas ends up relatively lame compared to the year-closing sales. Who knows, if retail is hurting maybe it was better than usual this time, but given all the media hype about the shop-a-thon, I have difficulty imagining the retailers giving up too much when everyone and their mother is out and determined to spend themselves into oblivion. Then again, maybe this was really all hype and they’re actually desperate… will be interesting to see.

JimAtLaw: I’m not sure that the post-Xmas sales will be better, I think retailers will simply carry over bargains into next year (versus ending them, as normal). That’s just my opinion, and you may well be correct. I have to agree, today was a GREAT day for coffee

Where I live in Madison Wisconsin, after recession is declared it takes about a year for the effects to be felt here.

Then about half way into the recession, depending on how bad it is you’ll hear on the radio that mexicans are moving here for jobs since we are still hiring.

Wisconsin is kind of a high tax state so I see quite a few drifter types, mostly from down south or out east. Some move back from out west but only after they have made their fortune first.

Here in Madison, it’s all about gentrification these days. It’s one way to get people to use the public transportation system. Sounds to me like driving is going to get really expensive one of these days.

I didn’t boycott the sales today, but I suspect I was a disappointment to retailers nonetheless.

I don’t blame retailers for trying to make a buck, but I do blame the sheeple who allow themselves to be drawn in.

I went out with some of the family, made some small purchases, and paid cash.

I don’t have a problem with holiday shopping- it’s just the “over-the-top-gotta-have-it-no-matter-how-little-I-need-it-or-how-long-I’ll-be-paying-for-it” attitude that makes me get on my sanctimonious high horse.

What’s even worse is that they kept talking about big “sales” at the retailers, without even mentioning the obvious that most of those so-called sales will pale by comparison to those after XMas.

The most I’ll buy today is some coffee.

Just my 2 cents.

And I like the cartoon. The turkey should say “FB”