In a time not so long ago, but, it seems to me, worthy of another life, I frequented malls regularly. The title of financial planner does not eliminate this very human desire to have fun.
My weakness ? Sporty clothes and beautiful office dresses! No, the pandemic and the virtual meetings did not convince me to swap my usual outfits for loungewear.
Often, however, reason wins out. I never went to the stores during the big sale events. In my eyes, what would be crazy on this famous Black Friday, it would be good to join a crowd shaken by a thirst for overconsumption.
If I missed the store visits in the last few months, this is certainly not the case with the advertisements.
Even online, the many marketing strategies and messages surrounding Black Friday make me dizzy. The advertisements of the pre-
events leading up to the infamous sales day which has become, in recent years, practically a Black Friday festival, span several weeks.
“Black Friday pre-sale before everyone else. The mere reading of this formulation transforms me into a target of predilection in the eyes of unsubtle advertisers.
It might be foolish to believe that the desire to offer real savings to their customers is what motivates merchants to deploy all this marketing.
False savings
If, however, the marketing strategies have done their job and you are tempted to spend, you should remember one important rule: even the best of discounts to buy something you don’t need doesn’t save money. Rather, it pushes to make an expense. You can make great savings without getting carried away with spending.
Obviously, you will benefit from setting a limit and sticking to it. If the purchase is a real need, you will have researched the price of the items you have in mind beforehand. Getting informed remains the key to avoiding false discounts.
Some merchants have the practice of inflating current prices before these sales in order to be able to offer sales that you then find attractive and which you will succumb to.
Online sales are even more accessible than when you had to travel. Also watch out for “limited quantity” sales marketing. It is often used to get you to buy quickly under pressure. With online shopping, this is a common practice.
Tips for informed consumption
If you’ve already budgeted for the holidays, you already know how much envelope you have for your gifts. Take the time to make a clear list of what you are looking for to avoid impulse and emotional purchases. Who wouldn’t be willing to pay the moon for loved ones? That is the real danger. Let’s avoid resorting to credit for love!
When it comes time to buy a good or item of clothing, consider whether it can replace one that you already have at home, which you could, for example, donate to charity.
If the answer is no, you are either in a phase of material accumulation, or in front of a new need to be filled. It’s up to you.
Take advantage of your Black Friday to unsubscribe from all the email lists that regularly send you messages urging you to overconsume. As a bonus, your inbox will thank you.
Take advantage of your weekend to cook, warm and cozy in the comfort of your own home. Preparing meals in advance that are healthy and economical, rather than lining up and undergoing the stress of the stores seems to me a much nicer option …
When shopping online, fill your basket with what you would like to buy and leave it overnight. If, the next day, you still feel that these are justified purchases, order! Without emotion and with hindsight, purchases are often more rational.