While Black Friday is famous for offering great deals to budget-savvy shoppers, it’s not the only time to land a bargain. My history with Black Friday has been quite the journey. I used to wake up early, stand in long lines, and eagerly wait to snag the best bargains.
In recent years, I’ve found more joy in starting my day later and casually visiting stores to catch some doorbusters and discounts. One year, I skipped Black Friday entirely, feeling a bit regretful that I might miss out on fantastic deals and would need to pay full price for desired items. To my surprise, this wasn’t true.
Consider this: Even outside of Black Friday, there are still major sales to be found. Yes, Black Friday does feature some of the best deals of the year, but it’s not the only opportunity to find great discounts throughout the holiday season. Retailers often extend additional sales throughout the month to move specific products.
A few years ago, I bought a TV from Walmart on Black Friday for my son’s room. Initially, I was pleased with the purchase until I saw the same TV at the same “Black Friday” price weeks later. This made me wonder, why rush?
If you miss a Black Friday deal, don’t worry. The product may still be on sale at a new reduced price. Remember, some retailers offer price matching, ensuring you’re getting a good deal.
Shopping smarter, not harder, might save you more by skipping Black Friday. Many people overspend during the festive season not because of a lack of good deals, but because they can’t resist the urge to spend. Imagine blowing your budget on Black Friday, only to fill your cart with impulse buys that you neither need nor really want. The sales didn’t help you save but encouraged you to spend more.
This is why it’s not wise to dedicate your entire budget to one shopping day. If your aim is to save money, looking for deals should be part of your strategy, not the whole strategy. Spread your shopping over a few weeks, and you’ll see the savings add up.
Don’t forget the power of online coupons. Shopping online is an easy way to save. Many websites offer free shipping once you’ve spent a certain amount. Use online coupons for additional savings. One of my favorite ways to get online coupons is through Ebates. It offers cash back on regular online shopping and alerts you to valid coupons for the site you’re using.
This year, consider making holiday shopping a year-round event. I have a friend who does her holiday shopping throughout the year, which lets her enjoy the festive season without stress. By spreading out her shopping, she takes advantage of various sales throughout the year.
Many people struggle with year-round shopping because they aren’t prepared or financially recovered from the holiday spending spree in December. However, imagine setting aside small amounts of money from the beginning of the year for holiday shopping. Skipping Black Friday wouldn’t seem so significant then.
In recent years, Black Friday has started to infringe on Thanksgiving Day, pulling retail workers away from family celebrations. This isn’t enjoyable for the workers or for consumers who treasure family time.
Choosing to skip Black Friday can free up time to spend with loved ones. You could stay up late playing board games, watch a movie together, or have a leisurely breakfast the next morning. The memories you create with these choices will likely be more valuable than anything bought at a sale. Holiday memories aren’t made at shopping malls.
So, while Black Friday has its place, it’s not the only chance to get great deals and save money. If you miss it, don’t panic. You can still achieve your shopping goals while focusing on what truly matters most.
So, do you go out for Black Friday shopping? Why or why not?