Black Friday BUSTED!!!!!

It’s that time of year when half the country is trying to snag a deal while the other half is stuck untangling Christmas lights.

Before you dive into the Black Friday madness, let’s talk about the good, the bad, and the “wait, why did I buy this?” realities.

Black Friday Realities (aka....things they don't mention in the flyers!)

• Only 14% of deals are genuine: Which independent research identified that only 14% of "deals" offer a genuine discount. Additionally, 70% of products advertised for sale could be found for cheaper at other times of the year.
• If it looks too good too be true: Some stores inflate their original prices just to make discounts look juicier. Spoiler alert: that $300 toaster was never $800. Tools like CamelCamelCamel and other price trackers can save you from falling for fake markdowns.
• Impulse Buys = Sneaky Budget Killers: Canadians spent an average of $171.60 last Black Friday. How much of that was on things we actually needed? My guess: maybe 60%. (Looking at you, fifth pair of fuzzy socks!)
• The Grass Is Greener on Cyber Monday: Electronics especially might see better discounts if you wait a couple of days. It’s not FOMO if you’re playing it smart.

3 Tips to Shop Smarter (and Keep Your Sanity)

1. Stick to a Plan Make a list and channel your inner Marie Kondo: does this item spark joy (or at least meet a need)? If not, kick it to the curb!
2. Go Digital or Go Home Skip the parking lot wars and shop online. Nearly 59% of Canadians are doing it, and let’s face it, shopping in sweatpants beats a mall lineup any day.
3. Do your Due Diligence If a discount doesn’t look convincing, it probably isn’t. Research your items, compare prices, and don’t be afraid to walk away. Remember, next week’s leftovers are sometimes tastier.

Oh, and here’s the secret weapon: just being mindful that many of these “deals” aren’t actually deals will stop you from mindlessly hitting “add to cart.”

If you’re jumping into Black Friday, no judgment here—I’ve got a few things on my list, too. ?? Just be sure to set a reasonable budget (one off events, like Christmas, are the only time I recommend one) and stick to it!

Lastly, if your wish list to Santa includes achieving cash flow calm in 2025, I’m opening up availability for new clients in January. Let’s chat about how we can turn chaos into calm and set you up for success—including saving for next year’s “pseudo” Black Friday deals with your Lifejacket Fund.

Cheers to smart spending,