Avoiding a debt ceiling crisis
In a few hours, Black Friday will be officially over. This, for me, has been a day without commerce. If any others wonder how this can be accomplished, despite the intense pressure of the advertising and retail sectors, there are some simple tricks.
- Move to the country
- Send the car away
- Find distraction in things around you
A few simple steps to a shop-free existence. I still have to develop my techniques for the next hurdle (Cyber Monday).
CBC has also taken the time to examine online shopping, and its particular shortcoming: personalized pricing. I haven’t figured out the algorithm, but it appears that companies use black magic to determine your maximum ability to pay; that sets the offered price. The investigation was thorough, changing platforms, browsers, even location. Hotels have a game that is as entertaining as basketball; prices are up and down the court, and slamdunking the consumer is the goal.
Flush your cache. If you don’t know how, Google it before you look for things to buy. Shop from your phone (I’m out on this one, but I’ll pass the tip along). Do some price comparisons in advance (preferably from someone else’s computer) so that you’re aware of the market. And use restraint. Leather straps, in necessary, but try to keep your debt ceiling low. The government won’t bail you out…
Anyhow, I’m off to learn some more tricks of the trade. If I discover a solution, I’ll pass it along. And as they used to say in one of the police shows, “Be careful out there – it’s a jungle”.
