Do you actually need it? Or is it just Black Friday?

Black Friday starts in less than a week, and as the shopaholic I am—and a huge fan of this "holiday"—I’d say I’m writing this post for myself, to try and keep it together this year and avoid saying, “Oh, I need this!” or “Oh, I need that too!” over and over again.

Black Friday is great for everyone. Christmas is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to snag gifts for our loved ones at lower prices (though remember, gifting experiences can be even cooler! 😉). However, the reality is far from just buying Christmas presents.

BEHAVIORS DURING BLACK FRIDAY

In this post, I'll discuss how shops create a sense of urgency and motivation to shop during Black Friday and ways to avoid falling into the trap. This is mostly because it’s coming next week, and I want you to be ready!

1. "I saved..." instead of saying "I spent..."

   Black Friday can make us feel proud of the money we have saved, instead of thinking about the money we have spent, often on unnecessary purchases, that if it weren't Black Friday, we wouldn't even need.

2. If everyone's doing it, it might be worth it

   Black Friday has become an event, almost a holiday, where it's okay to participate and spend to the end, even on things we don't need. Seeing so many people queuing up and the shops full creates a false sense of urgency, and you go in because if everyone else is doing it, it's worth it.

3. Every offer seems like a bargain

   Remember this one when you see ‘Up to 70% off’. Don't believe everything you see. Not every offer is going to be that good. You will only get a 20% discount on many products, but of course, the initial offer you see in the shop window makes everything look much more attractive.

4. I've been waiting in line for 2 hours... I've stayed up until 1 am... how can I not buy something?

   Many online shops start their sales at a certain time, and many of them begin at midnight. You're straining your eyes so you don't fall asleep, even if you have to work the next day, because of the intrigue of what you'll find. If you've stayed up until midnight, you have to buy something, no matter what.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR A RATIONAL BLACK FRIDAY

I could give you many more examples of how Black Friday can make us act irrationally, and buy compulsively without needing it. So, here are some tips on how to stop Black Friday from getting the better of you:

• Before you go shopping, make a list to ensure you buy what you need

• Set yourself a budget to avoid going over it

• It's important to take breaks. Don't rush. Before you buy something, stop, even if it's only for a minute, and think about whether you need it

• Focus on the final price, not the discount

---

ps: The chances of going shopping for a T-shirt and buying just a T-shirt are slim to none. However, with this blog, it's time to defy those odds.

Bibliography:

danariely. “The 7 Irrational Behaviors of Black Friday - Dan Ariely.” Dan Ariely, The 7 Irrational Behaviors of Black Friday, 27 Nov. 2014, danariely.com/blackfriday2014-2/. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.