Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, offering deals and discounts on everything from electronics to clothing. However, with so many sales and promotions flooding your inbox and social media feeds, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Over the years, I’ve become quite uneasy around the time of Black Friday and to be honest, it gives me a lot of anxiety especially if visiting a shop over online shopping. I’ve set some rules and principles to help me mentally prepare for Black Friday to ensure I stick to a budget and remain calm.
1. Set a Budget and Stick to It
Before you dive into the sea of deals, take a moment to set a realistic budget. It’s easy to get carried away when you see a great offer, but spending impulsively can lead to regret later on. By creating a shopping budget ahead of time, you’ll have a clear limit on how much you’re willing to spend without feeling the guilt.
Write down the items you really need and prioritise those first. If there’s something you’ve had on your wishlist for a while then Black Friday is a great time to purchase it – just make sure it fits within your budget.
2. Make a List of Items You Want to Buy
Black Friday offers a wide variety of products on sale, from tech gadgets to home appliances. I often find that my screen time is significantly up during this period which has an impact on my mood. To avoid scrolling through endless deals, create a detailed list of items you want to buy and stick to the list.
3. Research Deals Beforehand
Don’t wait until the day of the sale to start browsing. Many retailers release their Black Friday deals early, so take advantage of this by researching discounts ahead of time. Look for sneak peeks of upcoming sales on store websites, sign up for newsletters, and follow your favourite brands on social media. I’ve noticed more recently that you can get better discounts if you sign up to waitlists, newsletters and download company apps. It might be worth setting up a separate email address to use for the purpose of gaining deals.
4. Plan for Post-Black Friday Deals
The end of Black Friday doesn’t mean the promotions stop. Many stores extend their discounts through the weekend or even into the next week, especially for Cyber Monday. If you don’t find what you want on Black Friday, don’t panic.
5. Shop Independent
My partner Chris and I visited Tetbury earlier this week and were pleasantly surprised by how many independent shops there were. After talking to many of the owners, we shortly realised how important community is when it comes to local high streets. Understandably you’ll likely find more discounts and deals online or at large independent stores but I urge you to shop independent this year – whether that be independent sellers on Etsy or independent stores at your local high street. You’ll know that you’re supporting local businesses trying to make a difference in the community.
6. Remain Calm
What’s the famous saying? ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’. Black Friday can be an exciting time to find amazing deals, but it’s important to stay calm to not feel overwhelmed. Remember to take breaks and don’t take it too seriously.
Happy Shopping!