Black Friday & Cyber Monday: How to get past the hype and shop smart

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With the holidays right around the corner and discounted deals constantly advertised to you, Black Friday and Cyber Monday is a time when you can get wrapped up in spending. Online shopping has become more prevalent and more convenient than ever before but can quickly send you into a spiral of debt if you’re not careful.

There is a psychology behind all the advertising and promotions surrounding Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s important to be aware that retail “events” like these are really just marketing tactics meant to over-hype discounts and deals that could promote and result in overspending. The advertising feeds on our emotions and plays into the fear many of us have of missing out on something big. There is a lot of buzz and excitement created as marketers aim to whip shoppers into a frenzy by putting high demand items on at seemingly deeply discounted prices — available only for a short period of time.

If you aren’t careful, you will end up buying more than you had intended – and spending more than you have by using credit and buying impulsively. If you are planning to participate in big retail days like Black Friday/Cyber Monday, be smart about it.

Tips for Smart Shopping

• Don’t shop because you fear “missing out on something big”. The reality is that deals or discounts come in waves and will be available at multiple times throughout the year. Do the math to determine if it’s really a “deal” not to be missed.
• Give yourself a financial reality check before shopping. It’s important for you to quickly pull out a statement of your largest debt (credit card or loan statement) to see the dollar amount owing on that account. You need to think about how you will feel tomorrow if you add on more debt today. Decide if it’s worth it.
• Make a list. With discounts available on so many products, it can be easy to lose track of what you are looking for and make impulse purchases you will regret later. Making a list of exactly what is needed allows you to be in control of where your money is going.
• Set a budget and stick to it. In addition to planning which items are on your list, set a strict budget of how much you are able and willing to spend. As you are shopping, keep a tab of how much you are spending and cut yourself off once you reach that limit. Despite the discounts being offered, some items may simply be beyond a reasonable budget.
• Be aware that online shopping can result in overspending. These days, people don’t have to leave their homes to participate in Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping. The problems with the ease of shopping via your home computer or cell phone is that you will likely use a credit card for the purchase and you’ll end up purchasing multiple items within a short time frame since it’s very easy to submit a payment and move on to the next item.
• Is it really a “deal” if I buy it on credit? If you buy that great deal on credit, are paying only the minimum monthly payments on your credit card balance and it takes you more than 6 months to pay off your purchases, your overall cost with interest will end up voiding any original deal or discount you are getting.

Overall, just be honest with yourself about your financial situation. With the weakened economy and the unfavorable US exchange rate, many consumers do not have the financial means to participate in holiday shopping. If you are living pay cheque to pay cheque, assess if holiday shopping is a smart financial decision or if there are more economical gift options you can explore, like giving the gift of your time or making home-made gifts.

I’ve overspent! Now what?!

If you’ve already shopped and fear you overspent, don’t remove the tags. Leave the items in the bag and look at them the next day to decide if you still feel the same excitement. You might discover that an item in the bag was more a want than a need and you can still return it.

What are some warning signs that you are spending more than you should?
• You’ve maxed out your credit card (and are already only making the minimum payments).
• You feel guilty about your purchases – knowing you’ve bought ‘wants’ and not ‘needs’.
• You’re regularly spending more than you make.
• You’re dipping into your savings.

If you recognize some of these warning signs and are feeling the pressure of carrying an overwhelming amount of consumer debt, book a free consultation with one of our Licensed Insolvency Trustees. They can look at your personal financial situation during a confidential, no obligation meeting and make recommendations on what options are available to you.