Today, in the US, is Black Friday. This is the day that hopefully puts a company "in the black" and earn a profit for the year (if they haven't, yet).
Some of us, though, would consider Black Friday black because it is so painful to go out and shop. I'm one of those. I don't shop on Black Friday, because it's too crowded and too painful to do so.
However, I do need to consider my shopping list for Christmas and get that all done in time. I need to consider my budget this year. Money doesn't go as far as it used to, so I've got to think through if I need to raise the shopping budget to give gifts similar to what I've given before, or to lower the budget, because daily living has gone up so much and I don't have as much disposable income.
I'm glad that our children are all grown and can understand that. They are feeling the pinch, too.
Will this year be the year we all decide "only homemade gifts" or set a top limit on the gifts we give?