For a Limited Time Only

I love it.

I hate it.

Being home this time of the year definitely brings out the consumer in all of us, but when I am in a different country most of the time, I really see how much we consume with fresh eyes, so to speak.

You can't just go to the store to get "x". No. It's "x-times-2-at-50%-off-the-original-price-for-a-limited-time-only".

And in some cases, I love it. But then it gets me thinking about the attitude I see in a lot of people (myself included). And that is: "I'll get 2 just in case I need it".

But the real question is: do you really need it?

And: do you really need 2??

I overheard in a cafe someone who cannot afford their rent this month but wanted to get a Nintendo Wii because it was "at a good price".

WTF????

I was at the movies with my dad yesterday and he got a drink. It was enormous. I think it was a liter. I made a joke that the drink he had in his hand was a small and he ordered the large (trying to be funny).

He said he won't order a large one because the cup holders in the theater—listen to this—can't hold the large cups.

I was shocked. I thought what he had WAS the large! Who needs to drink 2 liters of soda?

But, it's not all bad. They have these offers with useful things, too, for example: shoes, underwear, glasses and so on.

But for the simple everyday stuff like potato chips (buy one 2 pound bag, get one free!) it's a bit silly.

Really.

That's why I love it and hate it.