Mom’s Money

Do You Really Need That Day After Thanksgiving Shopping Spree?

I’m a big believer in saving money anytime and everywhere a person can.  But, the day after Thanksgiving?  Yes, I’ve joined the teaming mass of shoppers throughout the years on that day-of-days for some extreme shopping.  And, yes, you can get some really great bargains.  In my experience, though, I’ve learned a few valuable lessons about spending and saving money.

When in doubt, don’t shop.  That’s the first lesson I learned when I started developing a serious family budget.  Sticking to a plan is the hardest thing about any family budget.  Removing the temptations of the pretty displays and store fronts may be important if your budget is to survive the holidays.  You need to know yourself and your weaknesses very well before you head out on that particular shopping trip.  The retailers have it all figured out and they’re pulling out all the stops to get you to spend your money.  Buyer beware.

If you have a tradition of shopping on the day after Thanksgiving and you don’t want to give that up, then you need to go into battle prepared.  Let this be the first year that you fully arm yourself with a list, a budget, and a time-line, and stick to it.  Your friends and family will understand if you go about your mission, get the items that you decided were important enough to venture out for, and then go home.  Meet up with your friends for a cup of coffee before you end your shopping expedition and then say your fond farewells.  If you hate to cut your day short, but realize you must in order to stay within your budget, you may want to invite everyone over to your house after the shopping day is over to enjoy some hard earned chocolates, or wine!  Now that you’ve saved your budget from being destroyed, you’ll have a few dollars to treat your friends, and they’ll enjoy the time spent together more than all the day’s shopping.