While Black Friday often presents an attractive avenue for budget-conscious shoppers to snag deals, it’s not the only game in town. My journey with this day of massive sales has been an interesting one. Year after year, I would find myself up at dawn, standing in seemingly endless queues excitedly awaiting great bargains.
However, more recently, I found more appeal in starting my day a little later, visiting stores throughout the day to catch a few doorbusters and discounted offers. One year, I didn’t even join in on the Black Friday rush at all, feeling a tinge of regret that I missed out on some truly great deals and would have to pay standard prices for my wanted items. To my delight, I discovered this wasn’t the case.
Consider this: EVEN OUTSIDE OF BLACK FRIDAY, THERE ARE STILL MAJOR SALES TO BE FOUND
The truth is, Black Friday does offer some of the most significant bargains of the year, but it doesn’t mean one cannot find great deals throughout the holiday shopping season. Rest assured, retailers will still present additional sales to push specific products over the course of the month.
A few years back, I snagged a TV from Walmart on Black Friday for my son’s bedroom. I was rather pleased with the buy, until I noticed the same TV available at the same “Black Friday” price weeks later. It left me wondering, why did I rush?
Should you miss a Black Friday deal, don’t fret. Often, the product may still be on sale at a new reduced price. Keep in mind, some retailers offer price matching, so you can be sure you’re getting a good deal.
SHOP SMARTER, NOT HARDER: YOU MIGHT SAVE MORE BY SKIPPING BLACK FRIDAY
One of the top reasons why many overspend during the festive season isn’t due to a lack of good deals. It’s often due to a lack of spending restraint. Imagine opening wallet wide on Black Friday, only to end up with a cart full of impulse buys that send you over the budget. The sales didn’t help you save, but rather enticed you into spending more on items you neither needed nor wanted.
This is why it isn’t wise to stake your entire budget on one shopping day. If your goal is to truly save money, hunting for deals can form part of your strategy, without being the entire strategy. Spread your shopping across a few weeks, you’ll see the savings add up just the same.
DON’T FORGET THE POWER OF ONLINE COUPONS
Shopping online presents an easy avenue to save. Many sites offer free shipping once your purchase hits a certain amount. Utilize online coupons to take advantage of even more savings. One of my go-to methods for online coupons is through Ebates, a site that not only pays you cash back for regular online shopping but also informs you of valid coupons for the site you’re on.
THIS YEAR, MAKE HOLIDAY SHOPPING A YEARROUND EVENT
I have a friend who handles her holiday shopping differently – she shops for gifts throughout the entire year. This brings her peace and helps her enjoy the holiday season fully. By spreading out her shopping, she’s able to take advantage of various sales throughout the year.
The obstacle many face when trying to shop year-round is the lack of preparation and financial recovery after spending extensively in December. Imagine, however, setting aside small amounts of money from the start of the year to fund your upcoming holiday shopping? Forsaking Black Friday wouldn’t seem so impactful then.
SHOPPING OR FAMILY TIME? THE CHOICE IS YOURS
In recent years, Black Friday has encroached on Thanksgiving Day, forcing retail workers into stores instead of celebrating the holiday with their families. The intrusion is unpleasant not only for the workers but also for the consumers who value family time.
Opting out of Black Friday shopping opens up time to spend with the ones you love. Consider staying up late for board games, watching a movie together, or even sharing a leisurely breakfast the following day. The memories you create with these choices will likely hold more value in the end. Holiday memories after all aren’t forged at the shopping mall.
Remember, while Black Friday has its place, it’s not the only opportunity to land fabulous deals and save money. Should you miss it, there’s no need for panic. You’ll likely accomplish your shopping goals while focusing on what matters most.
So, do you venture out for Black Fridayshopping? Why or why not?
