The Intrusion of Black Friday

It appears that retailers are dead set on impacting the family structure this year.  Black Friday is actually starting about six hours earlier this year.  Well I guess that is another story for another time in another setting.  Nonetheless, here are three tips on how to protect yourself and your family financially on Black Friday:

Stay home enjoy family and look forward to Cyber Monday.

Enjoy your family on Thanksgiving Day, don’t eat and run so you can get in line at your favorite retail store.  Part of the dynamic of the “savings” the retailers offer on Black Friday is simply a ploy for you to buy something else that you don’t need.  Safe yourself the headache and shop around on the Internet for the item you are looking for on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Here is a tip: with the state of the economy, the later you wait to more you will probably save. No need to rush.

If you must go into the stores on Black Friday, have a spending plan.

Before you get on line outside of the store have a plan. Ask yourself what am I going to buy and what price am I going to pay for it?  When you have a plan and stick to that plan then the retailers can’t offer you their credit card in order to get an additional percentage off the sale.

Walk in with a plan, stick to the plan and walk out of the retailer with what you planned to walk out with at the right price and nothing more.  No need to layaway what you have planned for. There is no need to finance the purchase you have planned for.  There is no need to spend more than you planned.

Remember you’re on a budget

What is your budget for the Christmas shopping season which starts in a little over 24 hours?  If you don’t have a budget then you don’t have a plan and the only thing that can happen is an unwise move.  Most people can’t afford another unwise financial move this year.  Create your budget today before tomorrow comes and you aren’t prepared.

Let me know how this information has impacted you, whether positively or negatively. I’d like to hear from you. Send your responses to info@frederickotowles.com.