When Black Friday rolls around every year, folks are standing outside of department stores on Thanksgiving night (it’s getting ridiculous) and hysteria breaks loose. Who doesn’t love a good story about the dude who got punched for the giant TV?! Black Friday is a fantastic tool for holiday shopping but beware of getting sucked into things you don’t need for your loved ones. Let’s give you some options to make the most of this day without losing your ass.
Set a Budget
This doesn’t have to be exact but even putting a number down on paper somewhere can be a great starting point. If you’ve already figured this out, kudos to you. The purpose of this isn’t to be restrictive but to give you a north star and develop awareness.
Make a List
Begin writing down a list of items you’re wanting to buy for your loved ones. If you’re really an all-star you’ve been writing these down all year. Hint: This is the best way to get the best gifts unless your memory is better than mine. Write down a few ideas for each person with multiple price levels when it applies. This gives you some options to make a good choice.
This is also a good time to mention, spending more money does not make it a better gift. I can get sucked into this as much as the next person, but I’m here to remind you of being on the receiving end, spending a load of money in hopes that the receiver loves it is a fool’s errand. Start with being thoughtful. By all means, don’t be afraid to spend money. Just be intentional about it.
Do Your Research
After compiling the list of items, do a little research – ahh, the power of Google. Take that list and find the best prices for each online. For your high-dollar electronics, do some digging to see which Black Friday retailer is going to have your deal. Stores have also become accustomed to manipulating prices, so the earlier you can do this the better. Some may have already started. You can also use a tool like Honey to help you get the best deal.
Review Your Prices
One thing you might get some anxiety over is lower prices on your item after your purchase. Should I purchase now or wait? Apps like Paribus give you some peace of mind. They are currently tracking purchases through more than 25 major retailers. This can come in particularly handy during the holidays when prices tend to fluctuate.
Conclusion
The holidays are a time meant for fun with family and friends. Being organized and intentional with buying gifts can help immensely with keeping it that way. Have fun and use technology to your advantage.
