You may have heard about using Black Friday with a plan. This is usually a way for people to save money for holiday shopping. But have you ever thought about using this time of year to help manage your debt and finances?
Are you overwhelmed by your debt and unsure how to get back on track financially? Or starting over after a Sequestration?
With the right planning approach, it is entirely possible to turn things around and make use of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals without creating more stress or deepening into further financial anxiety.
There have been so many media articles that advise you not to buy if you are in debt. But what if you can work with a plan and use the specials to your advantage?
This blog post will review creative ways to manage your finances by making wise choices during special sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Changing perspectives
After my second sequestration, I knew I had to change my finances drastically. During my search, I found an article about Mark Cuban.
The advice that caught my attention was where Mark Cuban says the markets are so volatile that buying toothpaste for 2 years is better because you would save more this way. Hmmm, something to consider.
In South Africa, there are other specials during the year. I love the “buy 3 and pay for 2” specials, and I used these to build up my toothpaste supply slowly. Included with the toothpaste are all the household cleaning materials and toiletries.
I started small— an extra soap this month and an additional cleaning product next month. I slowly built up from buying soaps and toiletries monthly to only buying every 6 months.
Now I only go soap shopping twice a year and save because I am in the shops less and paid at prices 6 months ago.
Black Friday Specials
Let us get back to Black Friday. It is financial suicide if you go shopping mindlessly and max out your credit card on stuff you don’t need.
But by using Black Friday with a plan, you can access many specials to help you save and become financially stable.
Let’s say you need a haircut. You know your hairdresser has some fantastic specials on Black Friday. Delay your haircut and spoil yourself with a Black Friday special; you might even get a few extra foils.
You can use Black Friday with a plan by applying the same principles for more than just toiletries and cleaning materials; there are specials for everything from websites to massages and everything in between.
There is, however, a catch. It would help if you did not use debt for these purchases, with no overdrafts, credit cards, or loans. Instead, plan during the year or the months before the sale and work with a shopping list.
When not buying monthly toiletries, I save a monthly amount in a separate savings account and use these funds for the planned purchases. After my sequestration, I no longer use an overdraft or a credit card.
Black Friday can be the best way to save, or it can be a slippery slope to financial distress.
Mark Cuban’s advice was one of the first steps I used to become financially stable and is now a regular practice in my budget.
Conclusion
Our financial situations can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to trying to tackle debt.
Winding your way through Black Friday and Cyber Monday special offers can be a great way to get ahead if you approach the process with a plan.
You can regain control over your finances if you take an honest and thorough look at your existing finances, create a budget and use your research knowledge to pick solid sale options.
Remember that this time of year often brings special sales events; with the right planning, it can help you without creating more stress or anxiety.
The ultimate goal is to give yourself the best chance at keeping your finances in order despite the challenges that may come with it.
So go forth and use this Black Friday with a plan and make it count.
This blog was brought to you by Ursula Gouws.
This blog is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
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