Black Friday Budget prep

GUEST BLOGGER: LIZ VANCE

If you are a big Black Friday shopper, you KNOW it takes more than just showing up at a store to make the most of it. Preparation is a big part of finding the best deals. The same is true about your budget. Make a plan so you can end your day feeling like you've conquered Black Friday rather than it's conquered you!  Check out this step-by-step guide on how to prepare financially for Black Friday.

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Step 1: Make a List – and buy only what's on it. Store ads will entice you to buy things you wouldn’t normally buy. The best way to combat that is to make a list of what you are looking for and stick to that list. It’ll be tempting to throw some exciting deals into your cart as you shop but if it’s not on your list, don’t do it! Your list may not even need to be specific. For example, you may not know exactly what you want to get your mom for Christmas but you’re hoping to find it while you shop. That is just fine! Just make sure you put everything you’re looking for on your list!

Step 2: Do Some Research – To find the best deals you'll have to do some research. It can be hard with all the brick and mortar stores as well as the online stores to compare. But if you really are committed to the best deals you can do it! Check newspaper ads, email subscriptions, and even ask the employees at your favorite stores. You never know when you’ll find an item at a cheaper price somewhere else! And isn’t the hunt part of the fun of Black Friday?

Step 3: Set a Spending Amount - After you’ve decided what you want to buy and how much it’ll cost, set a limit for yourself. Having a budget can help when something unexpected comes up. If an item ends up being more expensive than you anticipated you can see if you have wiggle room in your budget but if not, the budget is king! Stick to it! This will also help you only buy things on your list. You’ll feel so much better at the end of the day knowing you didn’t overextend yourself!

That’s it! Just 3 steps to having a more financially successful Black Friday. If you do it right, Black Friday can really be an asset! Just don’t let it become a financial burden! And most of all, have fun!

Happy savings!
Liz Vance