For our final episode of the season, Bridget and Ryan team up with the hosts of “Forever Ago” to tell you about one of the biggest shopping days of the year: Black Friday. While they search for the best gifts for Podcast Host Appreciation Day, they learn how Black Friday started and how stores come up with deals, and they share tips on how to shop smart during the holiday season.
After you listen to the episode, here are some questions you can ask your kid listener to see how much they learned about Black Friday:
What are some Black Friday “deals” you might want to watch out for?
What are some ways to prepare for holiday shopping to make sure you’re shopping smart?
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received or given?
For listeners who want to learn more about Black Friday shopping, we’ve got ideas!
The holidays aren’t just a time for giving and getting gifts. Check out this guide of ideas for how your kids can take part in giving back to your community.
Shopping can be exciting, and it’s easy to get carried away. To learn about handling your money emotions, listen to this episode of “Million Bazillion.”
Budgeting is an important part of holiday shopping. Check out this episode of Marketplace’s “Financially Inclined” to break down budgeting basics.
Thanks for listening to this season of “Million Bazillion”! If your kid has a question about money or the economy they’d want answered in a future episode, send it to us using this online form.
This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today at greenlight.com/million.
Note: Marketplace podcasts are meant to be heard, with emphasis, tone and audio elements a transcript can’t capture. Scripts may contain errors. Please check the corresponding audio before quoting it
BRIDGET: Hey listeners, welcome to a special cross-over episode of Million Bazillion and Forever Ago!
RYAN: That means we’ve teamed up with the team at Forever Ago, and together we’re gonna tell you all about Black Friday, one of the most famous shopping days of the year. We’re so glad you’re here! Now let’s get to the episode.
***
JOY: Hmmmm where should we hang the garland? What do you think Perez, Million Bazillion’s host extraordinaire?
RYAN: Well Joy Dolo, legendary host of Forever Ago, what if we put it over the window?
BRIDGET: Or we could hang it in the doorway!
JOY: Excellent idea Bridget Bodnar, Million Bazillion’s other equally fantastic host.
[SFX door opening]
PETRA: Hi Joy! Hi Ryan! Hi Bridget!
JOY: Hey Petra, my latest co-host of Forever Ago! Perfect timing. Would you mind helping me, Joy Dolo, host of Forever Ago, and Ryan Perez and Bridget Bodnar, hosts of Million Bazillion, hang up this garland?
PETRA: Sure, I’ll help you. But why are you saying your full names and titles? We’re all friends! We literally all just had Thanksgiving dinner together.
RYAN: I know, but us hosts have to get into the festive spirit and prepare for the next big holiday! Here, take this garland. [SFX clunky toss]
PETRA: This is just a long extension cord with a bunch of microphones dangling on it.
BRIDGET: Exactly! Could you please pass the tape?
PETRA: Sure thing. [SFX tape rip] Here you go. Why are you decorating? What holiday is next?
JOY: Only the best holiday around!
PETRA: Diwali?
BRIDGET: Nope.
PETRA: Hanukkah?
RYAN: Guess again!
PETRA: Christmas?
JOY: Not quite. It’s almost Podcast Host Appreciation Day! It’s a special day where podcast hosts around the world are appreciated for being the hosts with the most.
PETRA: That explains the microphone garland. What else do you do on Podcast Host Appreciation Day?
JOY: Oh all sorts of riveting podcast things. Instead of singing carols we do vocal exercises. Like this! (Joy does favorite vocal warmup)
BRIDGET: We play pin the headphones on the producer–
RYAN: And my favorite part of Podcast Host Appreciation Day is the game Mysterious Microphone. It’s when everyone draws a random podcast host and you have to get them a gift. Like secret santa but for extremely charming podcast hosts.
PETRA: That’s fun! Who did you get for Mysterious Microphone this year?
RYAN: Well if I told you, it wouldn’t be very mysterious now would it?!
JOY: Yeah I couldn’t POSSIBLY say! (whispers to KID) I got Ryan! Shhhh don’t tell him.
RYAN: Joy, did you say something?
JOY: OH nothing.
RYAN: (shrugs) If you say so! Let’s just say the person who receives my Mysterious Microphone gift is very lucky because I’m an excellent gift giver. Right, Bridget?
BRIDGET: It’s true. Ryan got me a custom can opener last year and it nearly moved me to tears, (heartfelt) I’ll cherish it forever.
RYAN: (bragging) And that can opener was half off. I’m great at finding gifts AND deals!
JOY: Speaking of gifts, (gasp) I still need to get my Mysterious Microphone gift!
PETRA: There’s only one solution. To the mall!
JOY: Let’s go! See ya later Million Bazillion hosts Bridget and Ryan!
BRIDGET: Toodles!
RYAN: Later!
[THEME]
[AMBI, mall]
JOY: You’re listening to Forever Ago from APM Studios. I’m your host Joy Dolo. I’m here with my co-host KID, PETRA, from Maryland
PETRA: Hi Joy! And today’s episode is extra special.
JOY: That’s right! It’s the (echoey) great Forever Ago and Million Bazillion crossover from APM Studios and Marketplace. [SFX confetti cannon and party horn]
PETRA: The first half of this episode will be Forever Ago.
JOY: And the second half we’ll catch up with Bridget and Ryan and learn more with Million Bazillion.
PETRA: But first, we have very important business. We have to find the perfect Mysterious Microphone gift for Ryan!
JOY: And we came to the only place you can get gifts, a rolling suitcase, chili cheese fries, and orthopedic shoes in one trip…the MALL.
PETRA: Lucky for us, there are tons of sales going on. It’s almost Black Friday!
JOY: Black Friday is the big shopping day that happens every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
PETRA: There are always lots of big sales and deals on Black Friday.
JOY: And tons of people shop on this day to get gifts for the upcoming holiday season. Some people line up HOURS before stores open and some stores see HUGE crowds. Petra, have you ever gone shopping on Black Friday?
PETRA: So my mom really likes to get the best deals on the internet, but I haven't really gone to the store on Black Friday.
JOY: Oh, do you think you ever would, like, would you, would you be one of those people that got there super early and like camped out?
PETRA: I don't think so.
JOY: Are you a morning person?
PETRA: No, I am not a morning person.
JOY: And especially after you have like a whole bunch of Turkey and stuff like the day before, then you get wake up or like stay awake, like I don't know if it's worth it for like a TV or something. Do you, do you like to shop at all?
PETRA: I do like to shop, but my mom says that we can always get the better deals online.
JOY: You know, me and your mom have a lot in common. I do that too. But if you, if you, like, if money wasn't an object, if you were 30 years old and you hosted a podcast and you had all the money you wanted, um, would you shop all the time?
PETRA: Definitely.
JOY: Is there something that you like to shop for?
PETRA: Uh, I really like shopping for toys and Christmas presents. I just wanna get everything.
JOY: So if you, I mean, if you felt like your mom, like what kind of deals would it take for you to get up at the crack of dawn to go wait in line for something?
PETRA: Uh, maybe like if it was like a book series that was like new and there were new books that were coming out in the book series. And you could get the whole book series for the price of like two or three books.
JOY: Oh. I would do that as well. Oh my gosh. I remember doing that when I was younger and like I would go and like wait in line for like the Harry Potter books and stuff when they were coming out and I was like,
PETRA: that's cool.
JOY: Yeah. Yeah. 'cause it was like you wanted to be the first one 'cause people read it and then they talk about it and you don't wanna like, You don't want them to ruin it for you, you know? So you gotta get there. But I agree with you, crack of dawn for a book. I'm there with you. Do you know like what the best gift that you've ever given and the best gift that you've ever received?
PETRA: So for the best gift I've ever received, I really like panda stuff. And like all my friends and family and my family friends, they know that I like panda stuff. So for my birthday and for Christmas, they just get me panda stuff. So. Panda pajamas. Panda purses. Panda bags. Panda stuffed animals, panda crafts, like everything.
JOY: Panda pajamas. That's amazing.
PETRA: Yeah. And then for the best gift I've ever given, so I like to make homemade stuff for presents and last. Year. Uh, I bought these like snow globes and I made snow globes with like glitter. I didn't add water though 'cause that would be too much, but like I made like little felt sculptures inside the snow globe.
JOY: Oh my goodness.
PETRA: And then I put like I put glitter inside them.
JOY: Wow. Well, that's pretty cool. I'd love to get a snow globe. Oh, Ryan would love a snow globe of his own. That'd be so cool. I'll take that into consideration while I'm looking for Ryan's gift. Speaking of, do you think this rubber chicken says Ryan, you're a great podcast host.
PETRA: Joy I’m curious, do you know why we call it Black Friday? Like where did this mega shopping day even come from?
Joy: That’s a great question. For well over 100 years, the weeks following Thanksgiving have always been popular times for holiday shopping in the US. Lots of folks flocked to stores to get their friends and family.
PETRA: That makes sense, there are so many holidays in December!
Joy: But the name “Black Friday” actually started in Philadelphia many decades ago. Here, Petra, let’s put on these headphones and I’ll show you what I mean.
PETRA: Wow, they’re hot pink AND have rhinestones. Are we about to listen to a podcast?
JOY: Even better, if you can believe it. These aren’t just any headphones, they’re time traveling headphones! Let’s go!
[SFX beep, time travel whoosh]
JOY/PETRA: Woah! / Weeeee!
[AMBI city, traffic]
JOY: Welcome to the 1950s! Black and white televisions are in most people’s homes in America. A new theme park called Disneyland has just opened, and rock and roll music is taking over from coast to coast. Including here in Philadelphia.
[MUSIC rock and roll like it’s playing from a car, SFX honk]
PETRA: Wow Philly is FULL of traffic today. Is there a big event or something? Is Elvis in town?
Pedestrian: Did somebody say Elvis? (excited fandom energy) AHHHHHHHHH!
PETRA: (aside) Wow it’s like a Swiftie of the 50s.
JOY: (aside) Totally. (normal) And sorry, Elvis is not in town. Common misunderstanding.
Pedestrian: (annoyed) You cruisin’ for bruisin’? Whaddya mean there’s NO ELVIS?
Policeman: [SFX whistle] Alright, ALRIGHT move along buddy boy. And you twos with the headphones! Keep it movin’!
JOY: Excuse me officer, but we’re here to observe history.
Policeman: Oh well in that case, I guess you can stay– in the name of history.
JOY: As I was saying, there are so many people visiting Philadelphia not because of Elvis, but because there’s a big football game.
Policeman: That’s right! Every year people come to Philly to watch the Army-Navy football game.
JOY: On the Saturday following Thanksgiving, a team of US Army members played against a team of folks from the US Navy. It drew big crowds to the city.
Policeman: Especially on the Friday before the game! Every year it’s pure chaos. All us cops in Philly have to work extra long hours and no officer is allowed to take the day off!
PETRA: That sounds exhausting.
Policeman: It is! That’s why we started calling it Black Friday. It’s a dark dark day full of tourists, loud football fans and team spirit…EVERYWHERE.
PETRA: So that’s where the name Black Friday came from! It was a nickname police gave …But what does that have to do with shopping?
JOY: Even though Black Friday was an awful work day for the police, it was a really popular day for shopping. That’s because all of the people visiting town for the game would end up buying things for the upcoming holiday season. Think about it, you’re already in the big city for the football game, and you need gifts - so why not hit up some stores too?
[SFX obnoxious honk]
Policeman [SFX whistle] Hey watch it! We’ve got some people observing history over here! I am so sorry, please continue.
PETRA: Maybe we should go.
JOY: I agree. It’s been fun Philly in the 50s. Past-adelphia. Bygone city of brotherly love. But we got some shopping to do. Catch you on the flipside!
[[SFX beep, time travel whoosh]
JOY/PETRA: Woah! / Weeeee!
[AMBI mall]
JOY: And just like that, we’re back at the mall.
PETRA: That was fun! So the name “Black Friday” came from the Philadelphia police in the 1950s. Who knew!
JOY: Random, right? And even though this was a successful day for store owners, some people didn’t like the name. They worried people still associated it with chaos and negativity. I mean it even just sounds menacing. (menacing voice) Blaaaack Friiidaaaay!
PETRA: That makes sense, just like how the Philly cops thought of it.
JOY: Exactly. Some store owners tried to change the name to “Big Friday” but it never stuck. The shopping holiday didn’t catch on until almost 40 years later when more stores across the country started using the name Black Friday to have huge sales of their own.
PETRA: Now Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year!
JOY: It’s true. There are also tons of online deals and sales around this time of year too. But lots of people still do their Black Friday shopping in stores. Some folks even wait early outside of stores before they open, all in hopes of getting a great deal.
PETRA: Yeah! Like just look at that line at the monster truck store! [SFX crowd] It stretches all the way to the food court! And the store isn’t even open til tomorrow morning.
JOY: Shucks! Ryan co-host of Million Bazillion really loves Monster Trucks, but there’s no way I’m waiting in that line until tomorrow morning.
PETRA: Oooo what if we shared a comically large pretzel and brainstormed?
JOY: That’s a Deal! Especially if we have some mustard. And for you listening at home the show will be back with more from Million right after this …
[MUSIC]
MIDROLL
BLACK FRIDAY (MB HALF)
(SFX: KNOCKING AT DOOR)
RYAN: (RUSHED) Bridget. Bridget.
(SFX: KNOCKING CONTINUES)
BRIDGET: (WAKING UP) Who’s that knocking at my door?... Ryan?! It’s 1am. What are you doing here?
RYAN: (WHISPERING) Bridget, we gotta go get in line for the Black Friday deals so we can win this competition!
BRIDGET: Huh?
RYAN: Remember? The Podcast Host Appreciation Day competition, where we randomly select the name of another podcast host and give that person a present? I randomly selected Joy Dolo, the host of Forever Ago. I have to get her a very good gift. We have to win Podcast Host Appreciation Day! Million Bazillion is gonna look unprofessional if we fumble this! So put your coat on, we’re getting in line early for the sales!
BRIDGET: (STILL VERY SLEEPY) Ok, first of all, it’s the night of Thanksgiving. I was in the middle of a nice, turkey-induced sleep. My whole family’s here, staying overnight.
RYAN: Bridget, it’s time you wake up, get with the program, and put work before family. No one has ever regretted doing that.
BRIDGET: Ok, I’m pretty sure that’s the thing people regret most in life. And also, these sort of gift exchanges are, like, just a fun thing people do in offices. It’s not a competition. This is a holiday weekend. I just want to be with the people I love, eat some good food, maybe catch up on some sleep-
RYAN: That’s not what holidays are about! They’re about fighting and winning at the store, where you’re buying presents! Grab your coat, I’ll be waiting in the car.
BRIDGET: (SIGHS) He’s not gonna leave unless I go with him. Okay, SIGH.
–Theme Music–
(SFX: OUTDOOR LINE WAITING AMBI)
(SFX: DISTANT HOLIDAY ESQUE MUSIC)
RYAN: Hey, kids! Welcome to the great Million Bazillion and Forever Ago crossover episode. [SFX confetti cannon and party horn] We’re the Million Bazillion hosts! I’m Ryan!
BRIDGET: (COLD, TIRED) And I’m Bridget. And We Help Dollars Make More Sense.
RYAN: (HYPER) Bridget, it’s Black Friday! The official kick off of the holiday shopping season! The time of year some stores make their biggest profits! Put some enthusiasm into it! Here, have a coffee, have two or three coffees. (TO LINE) I brought a big carafe for the whole line.
(SFX: CHEERS, CLAPS, WHOOPS)
RYAN: Oh whoops, sorry, I already drank it all by myself.
(SFX: CROWD DISAPPOINTED)
(SFX: EMPTY CARAFE HITTING PAVEMENT)
RYAN: Anyway, We’re waiting here in line- or online? In line? Online? How do you say it? Sound off in the comments! Anyway, we’re in line outside a Sav-Mart Superstore for their annual Black Friday sale. When the doors open at 4am, we’ll be the first to go through and scoop up (ANNOUNCER-LIKE) incredible deals and fabulous sales on the hottest electronics, toys, kitchenware, and home decor.
BRIDGET: Ryan, I really think you should just buy Joy a small and thoughtful gift for say, 10 dollars, like a framed photo of her pet elephant Hermie or…a podcast themed charm for her charm bracelet. I honestly think it’ll be awkward if you give her something super expensive.
RYAN: Agree to disagree! Boy, isn’t it so nice of these stores to discount all this stuff just in time for the holiday season?
BRIDGET: Well…I mean, stores aren’t offering these discounts out of the kindness of their retail hearts!
RYAN: (GENUINELY CONFUSED) Wait a minute. They’re not? What are you saying?
BRIDGET: There are a lot of reasons people start shopping in November and December for gifts. Christmas, Hannukah, obviously Podcast Host Appreciation Day. And stores know this, so they put on BIG SALES trying to DRAW customers in and get those customer dollars. All that’s created a bunch of traditions around how we shop this time of year. Including on Black Friday.
STORE SECURITY GUARD: Ok, everybody! Doors are open!
SFX: DOORS OPENING
SFX: MUSIC THAT SUGGEST DOORS ARE OPENING BEFORE LINE RUSH STARTS - MAYBE TRUMPET STING?
SFX: CROWD FRENZY, FOOTSTEPS (MOVE EARLIER)
PERSON IN LINE 1: Alright, outta my way!
PERSON IN LINE 2: Come on, come on, let me in there!
PERSON IN LINE 3: Go straight to the TVs!
(SFX: FADE UP HECTIC HOLIDAY MUSIC)
RYAN: Alright, let’s run in! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!
BRIDGET: Ryan. Stop. Breathe. Slow down. Sloooow down.
SFX: HECTIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC CROSS FADES OR EVOLVES INTO A MORE CHILL HOLIDAY TUNE
RYAN: But I want to get in there right away and start buying soon as possible! Haven’t you seen the 1996 cinematic masterpiece, Jingle All the Way starring Arnold SchwwarzeneggerI don’t want to be caught fighting over the last Turbo Man on the shelf!
BRIDGET: (CALMLY, SLOWLY) Of course, but this isn’t Jingle All the Way! There isn’t a TurboMan-like toy flying off the shelves. No need to rush. You need to control your behavior. Breathe. We’re gonna walk around the store, look at what they have, and make good, smart, calm decisions.
(SFX: HOLIDAY MUSIC FADES UP IN BACKGROUND
SFX: CROWD NOISE)
LOUDSPEAKER: Attention holiday shoppers, thank you for joining us this Black Friday morning! We’ve got special deals in every aisle!
BRENDA: Special deals? We’ll see about that!
(SFX: SCAM SLAMMERS STING)
BRIDGET: (GASP!) It’s my favorite consumer advocate Brenda Hammer from Scam Slammers!! What are you doing here? I thought you only covered scams and flams… and shams!
BRENDA HAMMER: I’m here because wherever there are deals and steals, there are gonna be some deals that are not such a steal, for the consumer!
BRIDGET: Oh, yeah, I guess that makes sense.
RYAN: It rhymes too. That’s a plus.
BRENDA HAMMER: Also, it’s my tradition, I’ve covered Black Friday for the last 40 years. Every year, I wake up before dawn to get B-Roll of busy shoppers for my evening report!
RYAN: Can’t you just use the same b-roll from last year?
BRENDA HAMMER: No! That would be a sham! See, the shoppers may be showing up for deals, but these deals aren’t the whole story.
RYAN: They’re not??
BRENDA HAMMER: No! Retailers put a lot of thought into their holiday SALES! And as savvy consumers, we gotta understand that game!
RYAN: I’m ready to learn more, Brenda! (SOTTO) Bridget, this is exactly how we win the Mysterious Microphone portion of Podcast Host Appreciation Day! Shopping savvy!
BRIDGET: It’s not a competition!
SFX: EXPLAINER MUSIC
BRENDA HAMMER: So first of all, the biggest deal of the store is going to be something BIG and FLASHY. Something retailers know shoppers can’t resist. Something like a fancy computer or TV, on deep deep SALE.
RYAN: Oh, they’ve got a TV deal going on right now? Tell me more.
BRENDA HAMMER: [IGNORING RYAN] That’s what’s called a loss leader. Meaning, the store might actually lose money on this item, but they don’t care. It’s all part of their plan to get you into the store.They just want to get you here , feeling ready to shop. The TV is like the worm on the hook. It’s bait.
BRIDGET: Ew, what? Are we the fish?
BRENDA HAMMER: Blub blub, yes you are. Once you’re in the store, loading up on your half price TV, the retailer knows you’re gonna be looking around at what OTHER holiday shopping needs you can cross off your list. So you look around and you think…my Aunt Myra’s gonna love this vacuum cleaner! I’m here, and I’ll get it! Doesn’t matter that it’s not on sale at all. And boom, it worked! Fish on a hook! (SFX: SCAM SLAMMERS STING) The store’s initial loss has lead to a profit. Loss Leader!
RYAN: Oh yeaaah, a loss leader! I’ve heard that’s what every single streaming service is.
BRENDA HAMMER: Speaking of streaming, you should also be on the lookout for something I like to call bundling.
BRIDGET: Bundling?
BRENDA HAMMER: Bundling is when stores put one item on sale, knowing that when you get into the store, they’re gonna show you how great this one item looks as a set. Like look over there, at that rolly suitcase those two grown men in pajamas are fighting over!
SFX: KERFUFFLE
MAN #1: (YELLING, OFF-MIC) Gimme the suitcase! I called dibs!
MAN #2: (YELLING, OFF-MIC) But I touched it first! Tag beats dibs!
SFX: LUGGAGE KNOCKED OVER
BRIDGET: Oooh, that’s embarrassing for them.
RYAN: I know, who wears bunny slippers out of the house??
BRENDA HAMMER: The store is hoping that when you see the discounted suitcase next to the matching backpack and carry on luggage, you’re gonna say to yourself, yeah, Uncle Joe is going to think I’m a real swell kid for getting him the whole set, and I’m already saving so much money on the suitcase, the rest are practically paid for!
RYAN: Joy seems like the type of person who would enjoy a matching luggage set. Maybe I should try to get it! (YELLING) Hey, guys, I’ll arm wrestle you for it!
BRENDA HAMMER: And boom! Fish on a hook! (SFX: SCAM SLAMMERS STING)
Oh, and by the way…some of these sales are on stuff the store couldn't sell at full price earlier in the year. Stuff no one really wanted to buy. Now they’ve got a golden opportunity to unload! They call it a “doorbuster” and boom, fish on a hook! (SFX: SCAM SLAMMERS STING)
RYAN: Brenda, what if the store runs out of good deals? how much should I be panicking right now that I’ll miss the best deal in the store because we’re standing here chatting?
BRENDA HAMMER: Look Ryan, I can promise you this. The store WILL run out of good deals before the end of the holiday shopping season. But, as the mellifluous Doris Day, once crooned, (ABRASIVE YELL) “Que sera, sera!”
RYAN: Now’s not the time for your fancy French phrases, Brenda!
BRENDA HAMMER It means: What will be, will be. The stores know as much as anyone that some of us like to shop early, get the deals and the steals, and then spend the rest of the holidays drinking hot cocoa with extra mini marshmallows. They’re gonna tempt those folks into the stores with the biggest deals, earlier in the season. But for those Laggard Lennies out there…shopping on that last weekend before Christmas, when the stakes are high, and the deals are pretty much gonna be gone. The stores know you can’t come home empty handed. You’ll be paying full price for whatever you pick out for your cousin Betty!
RYAN: Well that’s not going to be us! Thank you for all your help, Brenda! I’ve got a podcasting colleague to shop for now!
BRIDGET: Yeah, and good luck with your reporting!
BRENDA HAMMER: I don’t need luck, I’ve got decades of experience and an exit plan for every room I enter. Stay smart, you two!
RYAN: Thanks, Brenda!
BRIDGET: You know what, Ryan, I think we need to take a little pause and make a game plan ourselves, but for all this holiday shopping we need to do.
RYAN: I have a plan, Bridget. It’s to buy Joy the most fabulous expensive thing I can and if I need to max out my credit card to do that, I will, so help me, I will!
BRIDGET: No Ryan! Pull yourself together! (SFX EXPLAINER MUSIC) Look, the first step is AWARENESS. Don’t get caught up in the excitement, take your time! Let’s just remember that everything the stores are doing is about convincing us to spend more of our money with them.
RYAN: Right right, this intense urge to buy Joy a mini fridge she can keep at her desk is all just a twisted plot on behalf of Sav-Mart.
BRIDGET: Okay two, we’re gonna make a plan or a BUDGET for how much we’re gonna spend. Figure out who you’re going to buy for, and an idea of what you want to get them. We don’t want to get caught up in the, uh, holiday spirit in the store, and get FOMO and make a bunch of rash buying decisions!
RYAN (DISTRACTED): Oooo, rash ointment, 60 percent off, possible gift for Joy.
BRIDGET: We probably should have started this BEFORE Black Friday, but it’s always good to do some research so you’re smart about what’s a good price and quality.
RYAN: Oh sure, I’ll keep that in mind for next year. Hey, what about a gold bar? I bet she’d like that, she’s a history buff.
BRIDGET: Actually Ryan, that’s my last point. Before you think about deals and sales, think about what’s important to the person you’re buying for. What do they value? Maybe they’d really just like to spend more time with you, or they’d really treasure something handmade? Think about all this BEFORE you go into the store.
RYAN: Hmm, maybe you’re right, Bridget. These all sound like great ideas. (ASTONISHED) WHAAAAA look at that! There’s a sale on a 4K Viewmore Super Sonic Smart TV for $1,358. It usually goes for $4,000.
BRIDGET: Ok, I don’t think you need to get Joy a $4000 dollar TV.
RYAN: It’s not a $4000 TV. It’s a $1358 TV.
BRIDGET: Yeah, but I don’t think you need to buy a TV either way- is my point.
RYAN: Let me just put it in the cart and we can decide later. (GRUNTS)
(SFX: HEAVY BOX GOES INTO THE CART)
RYAN: Ooh, and while we’re here, I might as well get these stocking stuffers for my beloved cat. Skimbleshanks. Oh boy,these kitty boots aren’t cheap but I’m already here at the store, and [HEM AND HAWING] oh, yeah, let’s do it, he’s going to LOVE them!
SFX: MORE ITEMS INTO CART
BRIDGET: Oh brother, the loss leader strikes again!
<MB STING>
RYAN: And we’re back in the studio! I’ve called an emergency meeting at the office to exchange our gifts.
BRIDGET: (YAWNS) This feels like the longest I’ve ever been awake. I can’t wait to go home and be in pajamas and put on the rest of Jingle All the Way and fall asleep to it.
RYAN: But first we’re gonna do the thing you’ve all been waiting for, the big meet up with the Forever Ago team to see who will win Podcast Host Appreciation Day.
BRIDGET: It’s not a competition, Ryan.
RYAN: I know. I know. Hey, look Joy’s here. Time to see who got the better gift.
JOY/PETRA: Hi Bridget and Ryan! Happy Thanksgiving weekend!
RYAN: Hi, Petra.
BRIDGET: Hi Joy, so good to see you! How were the rest of your Thanksgiving celebrations?
JOY: Oh so nice. Had some family in town, we went around the table and said what we were all thankful for-
RYAN: Joy, I’m gonna cut to the chase here, get to the brass tax, in this years Podcast Appreciation Day Gift Buying competition, I got you (STRUGGLES TO PULL OUT A GIANT BOX) a 83 Inch 4K Viewmore Super Sonic SmartTV, retail value $4,000 dollars, but I got it at the jaw-dropping price of (READING TO MAKE SURE)... $1395 after tax. You’re welcome.
JOY: Wow, that’s a very nice gift. You really shouldn’t have…. Um, thank you.
RYAN: So, I think you’re saying we officially won. It’s clear Million Bazillion won this crossover episode, and yes, Bridget, I understand it wasn’t a competition, but still, I think we should all take note of how good my gift was.
JOY: Yes, it’s an amazing gift. I guess I should give you my gift. I know you like monster trucks, so I painted you a picture of one.
PETRA: It’s an oil painting of a monster truck … and look you’re driving it
(MUSIC: SENTIMENTAL MUSIC)
BRIDGET: Wow, that’s so thoughtful.
RYAN: (HOLD BACK EMOTION) Yeah, I mean this is incredibly thoughtful. No one’s ever painted me a picture of a truck before. But, just to be clear, the TV was the superior gift, we’re all in agreement that the TV I bought was better, right?
BRIDGET: Sure, yeah. I mean, I guess. The drawing is great too. Just really special, Joy.
JOY: Thanks … it was fun to draw. Hey Petra … Who did you pull for Podcast Host Appreciation
PETRA: Oh, I got Bridget! TA da! I got you this attractive, practical, and appropriately priced thermos!
BRIDGET: Awww, thanks! I love it! It’s the perfect gift! And I would know because I got you an attractive, practical, and appropriately priced thermos too! Great minds think alike!
RYAN: OK, so as winner of the Podcast Host Appreciation Day Mystery Microphone competition, I get to be the one to ask…so what did we learn from this episode?
(SUMMARY TO BOTH EPISODES)
JOY: Well, I think we learned that Black Friday may be a big part of our holiday and shopping tradition today, but it sprung from, of all things, a big football game in Philadelphia, years ago!
PETRA: Yeah … so many people … At some point, it turned into a shopping extravaganza that stores and shoppers have come to expect.
JOY: But for stores… all those people meant a chance to make big sales, so Black Friday turned into a big day for shopping
BRIDGET: It’s a tradition that’s changed over time. The money we spend at the holidays is still pretty important for the stores, and a lot of customers do LIKE the excitement on Black Friday, and the whole holiday shopping season. So whether you love it or hate it, it’s probably gonna be around for a while.
RYAN: And I learned that retailers today have a lot of ways to convince us shoppers to spend our money with them, especially at the holidays. Those deep discounts aren’t just out of the kindness of their hearts! But with a little pre planning and thoughtful spending, you can still WIN at the holiday shopping season! If that’s what’s important to you! You can also just draw pictures and give those out as gifts. That can be nice too. Maybe even more thoughtful. Whatever!
JOY: Well said. Happy Podcast Host Appreciation Day everyone!
RYAN/BRIDGET/PETRA: Cheers!
–MB Theme Music –
RYAN: That’s it for this very special crossover episode of Million Bazillion and Forever Ago! If you want to keep learning about our holiday shopping habits, check out the show notes for this episode!
BRIDGET: This is our LAST episode of the season but we hope to be back soon. So get those money questions to us, okay! You can email them at million@marketplace dot org or send them to us through our website, marketplace dot org slash million
JOY: This episode was written by Bridget Bodnar, Ruby Guthrie, Ryan Perez and Nico Gonzalez Wisler. It was hosted by me, Joy Dolo, our co-host Petra, Bridget Bodnar and Ryan Perez.
BRIDGET: Special thanks to the smart people who helped us really understand Black Friday…Professor of Marketing, Barbara Kahn (CONN) at Wharton and Professor of Marketing, Franklin Shaddy, at UCLA, and Katherine Cullen at the National Retail Federation.
BRIDGET: And the additional voices you heard in part two of this episode were from Andie Corban, Maria Hollenhorst, Chris Julin, Francesca Levy, Sean McHenry, Michelle Mencio, Dylan Mietennen, and Jay Siebold.
RYAN: Million Bazillion is brought to you by Marketplace, and Forever Ago is brought to you by APM Studios, both from American Public Media.
RYAN: Our Editors were Shahlah (SHAY-la) Farzan, Jasmine Romero, and Sanden Totten.
This episode was produced by Courtney Bergsieker, Marissa Cabrera, Nico Gonzalez Wisler (WISS-ler), Ruby Guthrie.
JOY: This episode was sound designed by Bekah Wineman and Marc Sanchez.
JOY: Wonderly created the theme music for Million Bazillion. Marc Sanchez is the theme music composer for Forever Ago.
RYAN: Bridget Bodnar is the Director of Podcasts at Marketplace.
Francesca Levy is the Executive Director of Digital
Neal Scarbrough is the VP and General Manager.
JOY: Beth Pearlman is Forever Ago’s executive producer and the executives in charge of APM Studios are Chandra Kavati, and Joanne Griffith.
BRIDGET: Million Bazillion is funded in part by the Sy Syms Foundation, partnering with organizations and people working for a better and more just future since 1985. And special thanks to The Ranzetta Family Charitable Fund and Next Gen Personal Finance for providing the start-up funding for this podcast, and continuing to support Marketplace in our work to make younger audiences smarter about the economy.
RYAN: I won, I won the show.
The Ranzetta Family Charitable Fund and Next Gen Personal Finance, supports Marketplace’s work to make younger audiences smarter about the economy. Next Gen Personal Finance is a non-profit that believes all students benefit from having a financial education before they cross the stage at high school graduation.
Greenlight is a debit card and money app for kids and teens. Through the Greenlight app, parents can transfer money, automate allowance, manage chores, set flexible spend controls and invest for their kids’ futures (parents can invest on the platform too!) Kids and teens learn to earn, save, spend wisely, give and invest with parental approval. Our mission is to shine a light on the world of money for families and empower parents to raise financially-smart kids. We aim to create a world where every child grows up to be financially healthy and happy. Today, Greenlight serves 5 million+ parents and kids, helping them learn healthy financial habits, collectively save more than $350 million to-date and invest more than $20 million.
The Sy Syms Foundation: Partnering with organizations and people working for a better and more just future since 1985.
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