Black Friday is so fun, and it can actually be a very smart way to knock out some Christmas shopping early or grab things we genuinely need around the house. But the key? Planning ahead instead of scrolling in the moment and letting every “limited time deal” pull you in.
Here are five simple tips I’m using this year to prepare well, stay within budget, and still enjoy the excitement of it all:
1) Start your list now
Write down everything you think you want to buy: gifts, household items, stocking stuffers, beauty sets, whatever. Even if you’re not sure yet, getting it on paper (or adding to cart online) helps you see the full picture. It’s easier to remove things later than try to remember everything on the day of.
2) Pick a spending number and don’t go over it
Set a literal number and treat it like a bill. $200, $300, whatever fits your budget.
Deals don’t count as “free.” A cheap price is still money spent.
3) Prioritize needs over wants
When we do this, we’ll often realize half the “fun deals” are actually just impulse buys in disguise. If the total cost goes over your number, take out the things that aren’t real needs. That’s how you stay in control.
4) Stick to your list, don’t just scroll to scroll
Online is where I shop the most, and it’s easy to end up on page 27 of the sale section “just to look.” Nope. Open your saved list, find the actual items you planned, and check those out. If you’re going in store, same rule, go for what you came for.
5) Focus on Christmas gifts
Black Friday is honestly one of the smartest times to get a chunk of your holiday shopping done. Instead of scrambling in December, get your intentional purchases made early so December feels lighter.
One last thing: if you struggle with staying on budget for Black Friday, try breaking your number down into categories. For example: $150 toward Christmas gifts, $50 toward home items, $20 toward beauty… whatever fits your total. When you pre-decide where the money is going, you eliminate 90% of the “ooooh this is cute” temptation, because you already told your money what its assignment is. Planning ahead truly lets us enjoy the fun of Black Friday without waking up the next morning wondering where our money went!
Disclaimer: The information in this post is based on our own experience and should not be taken as financial advice. Everyone’s situation is different—find what works best for you and your family.
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