There is indeed a birthday exemption. And technically, we aren't in effect from Black Friday until New Years. There was also a travel exemption, and a store closing was worth a free pass.
Should we have a separate thread for good buys? It doesn't seem so appropriate in this thread but inquiring minds want to know what goodies you got.
Sometimes it was amazing what my $20 could get me at the thrift stores or at the right estate sale.