5 Steps to control impulse shopping this Black Friday

Don't fall off the edge!

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, I’m increasingly finding myself being enticed by advertisements for Black Friday deals offering great prices on things I don’t really need.  This past weekend I was very close to buying a new Fitbit to replace the one I have which still mostly works (the display stopped working) because a store was offering 10% off all electronics.  If you’ve ever bought a Fitbit product, you probably know that it’s one of those odd products where the cost is pretty much fixed and you will pay the same price no matter where you buy it.  Typically, the best you can do on a Fitbit is find a store willing to throw in a small gift card or some sort of bonus item, so when I saw that I could get the latest and greatest version for 10% off, it seemed like an obvious decision.  

What follows is essentially my thought process, with some added suggestions, as I fought my instincts of an impulse shopper.  I’m presenting it as a 5-step method to deal with the whole “Black Friday” spectacle in case you really are going to do some shopping.  

1. Make a list ahead of time of what you actually plan to buy.  Also, keep in mind not just gifts, but items you’ve been meaning to get anyway.  We found some excellent deals on snowpants for example.  I checked the list and it turned out a new Fitbit wasn’t on there.  This should have been the end of it, but I was still tempted.  After all, my birthday is coming up as well and it’s kind of a pain to keep using the Fitbit app on my phone when I want to see how many steps I have.
2. When you see the latest advertisement or flyer in the newspaper that looks like a great “one-day-only” deal, check the websites of other stores because you may find it for the same or better price.  Even then, check your list again. (Nope, my new Fitbit still isn’t there)  Is it really something you need to buy?  After all, mine does technically still work.
3. Take a deep breath!  Stop letting the retailers make you rush into purchasing something because of a limited time only sale.  Then, check your list again.  Nope, no new Fitbit.  Oh well, I’ve been doing just fine with my old one.  
4. Look at the supposedly “leaked” Black Friday ads.  Several days and sometimes even weeks before Thanksgiving, many of the Black Friday ads are available online.  Take a look at them and look for items that are on your list, not just things that look like a bargain too good to pass up.  In the case of my Fitbit, I found another store will be offering a better deal on them come Black Friday.  That gives me enough time to add it to the list!
5. Shop online, not standing in a line.  If you really are going to buy some things, I highly suggest doing it online.  I have a friend whose entire family gets up early the day after Thanksgiving to go shopping together.  They have a very relaxed attitude about it, and view it as a day to go out together to get some good prices on Christmas gifts.  They make a day of it and for them, this is quality family time.  I can’t argue with that.  It’s not my idea of fun though.  My plan is to have a list prepared of what I will buy online on Friday and what stores I will buy from.  After I sleep in, I’ll get up and pull out my laptop for a few minutes and buy those items if they’re available.  Then, I’ll put away my laptop and spend the rest of the day with my family.

In the end, if I do decide to get a new Fitbit, I may buy one online but probably not.  More than likely, I’ll continue to use the one I have until it really does quit.  I am glad that after looking and debating for a while about which model to get, I realized I’ve gotten along just fine with no display on my current Fitbit and I hated the idea of being rushed into a decision because a sale was ending in a couple of hours.  Take control of your shopping and fight the urge to fill your home with things just because of a limited time offer.  Guess what, Black Friday will be here again next year and they will continue to come out with new and better gadgets.