Hi Taylor – Year after year, no matter how much I try to control myself, Black Friday is my undoing. I know I have to spend less, but I still have to buy Christmas presents, and there’s no better time to do it. So… help? – Cassie

Hey Cassie – Black Friday can feel like a financial rollercoaster—a combination of great prices and competition to buy things before they’re gone. I’m a Spender by nature, so I know how easy it is to get caught up in the hype and overspend. But with a little planning (and self-control), you can shop smart and still snag great deals.

  1. Make a list ahead of time. If you let the items you see determine what you buy, you’ll never come in under budget. Before you even open your laptop or walk into a store, write down exactly what you need. Not what you might want if it’s on sale, but what you’ve been planning for—whether it’s gifts for others, home essentials, or the replacement phone you’ve been needing for a year. If you walk through a store or scroll through a site and buy everything that’s discounted, you’ll get too much stuff. If you make a list, then shop that list, you’ll check out with about 50% less stuff.
  2. The “Cart and Wait” strategy. Instead of waiting until Black Friday to start shopping, get started a few weeks early. Go online and start adding things to your cart—Target, Amazon, Walmart, wherever—and then check your online cart every few days to see if you still want what you selected. Some items you’ll want to snatch up the minute they go on sale, but other things you’ll realize you don’t really need because you’ve worked past the impulse-buy phase. Best of all, even if you end up shopping in person, this strategy can really help you see prices and set an actual budget.
  3. Use cash. If you’re really trying to avoid overspending, go old school. Set aside a specific amount of money—either in cash or loaded onto a prepaid debit card—and once it’s gone, you’re done. Using a fixed balance makes you way more aware of what you’re spending. Credit cards lead to extra purchases that come back to bite you later, but spending cash is a one-time transaction that ends when the cash is gone.

It’s really important to be aware of your habits and weaknesses. We all have Money Personalities that are triggered in different ways, so be aware of yours (you can learn more with a free quiz at fivemoneypersonalities.com). Know your pitfalls, set some guard rails, and I’m sure you’ll be fine. Thanks for the question!