I usually make it through the Friday Frenzy intact, mostly by not going. The things on offer range from not-for-me (Television the size of Shaq, anyone?) to not popular enough to sell out. There’s not a deal in the world that would make me want to cram myself into a box store or mall with 50, 000 of my closest friends.

Nope.

Cyber Monday, and shopping at home is more my cup of cocaine.

Due to my New and Improved^TM vacation dream, I have a long-term shopping list the length of my arm, and really… the deals do look good. Particularly when I’m curled up under a nice, warm blanket.

So, I made a hard and fast rule about not buying things that I’m not going to use right now. No super-mega-survivalist water filters, when I already have a Brita filter that’s more than enough for the kitchen. No ultralight tents I won’t use for a year or two. No sun hats I won’t use until summer. Right now.

And absolutely nothing with a battery in it that will be slowly aging to uselessness. (That’ll knock a big chunk off of the bill.)

I wound up with a sleeping bag liner, a pillow, and a pair of long underwear. (You can tell it’s a practical splurge because it involves practical underwear.) I’m also getting a free t-shirt.

All in all, I survived.

But since a couple of places have “extended” their sales, I might have to call my sponsor.