Hi Reader!

Black Friday marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. But how do you enjoy the excitement without the post-purchase guilt?

It all starts with a good game plan.

• Make a list of all the things you want to buy and who you want to shop for.
• Research the item and write down the current price and any sales. Sometimes Black Friday deals aren’t as great as they seem, and knowing the historic price helps you spot the real bargains.
• Set your own price. Imagine you could decide what the item should cost. What would you pay if you didn’t know the price? Write that down. If the Black Friday price is much higher, it may not be worth it.
  ​Prioritize your list. Number items from most to least important. When planning your budget (and your time), focus on the top priorities first.
• Set a budget. Set a budget. Using your research, price estimates, and your priorities, decide what you will spend on each item and what items don’t make the cut.
• Set an impulse budget. If the joy of Black Friday is finding the unexpected deals, set aside some money for this. But once you decide on an amount, don’t go over.

Much of the fun of Black Friday is in the anticipation and planning. It’s as much about the hunt as it is about the prize. Remember to enjoy yourself, and refer back to your list and budget when needed. And if you’d rather skip the stress of Black Friday altogether, spend the day doing something you love—there will always be more sales another time.

And if you would like to learn more, schedule a FREE Penny for Your Thoughts Q&A Call

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Remember, small change adds up. Step by step and penny by penny, we’re building a better life. Have a shiny day!

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Laura

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