This week it's National Buy Nothing Day, a special day where we avoid the after Thanksgiving Day sales and purchase absolutely nothing for one whole day. It's like a high-colonic for the soul. You may not want to do it, but you will feel so. much. better.

I have a confession: I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet. I know! Can you believe it? But I've been thinking quite a bit about shopping, particularly how you can work Black Friday, which is the traditional start of the Christmas holiday season (do you hear that, retailers who started playing carols in the stores on NOVEMBER 1?). Are you ready to shop? Let's talk strategy.