Black Friday is right around the corner
‘Tis the season for overspending, under-budgeting and over buying, and Black Friday is the kick-off season for it all! I personally have never been shopping on Black Friday. I like to stay indoors on that day and I would only step foot in a store if it were a life and death emergency!
Granted military families have a more steady income and less worry of layoffs (although we know we are not 100% exempt!) than the civilian workforce, but we have all still faced an increase in expenses. So, how do you face Black Friday and the shopping season to come with confidence on a limited budget and an itch to shop?
1. Narrow down your shopping list! Do you really need to buy something for your great uncles cousins girlfriend? If you have people outside of your immediate family that you would like to give a gift to, consider giving something homemade that is not too expensive to make (either food or a craft). Involve the kids in making it!
2. If you have not figured out a realistic budget for your Christmas spending (don’t forget to figure in the cost for any cooking and meals you may be serving that are more than usual) then you need to do that now. Don’t shop without a budget and think about each person on your list and how much you can really afford to spend on each person — not how much you want to spend !
3. Remember the meaning behind the occasion! Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the getting and giving that we forget to slow down and enjoy being with our friends and loved ones.
4. Consider only buying gifts for the children and forgoing gifts for adults.
5. If you really don’t need or want anything, ask your loved ones to give money to a cause that is important to you. Soldiers Angels, Operation Gratitude, and anyone who is supporting our military families at Ft. Hood are some good places to give that money.
There are lots of great ideas out there… what are yours? What do you do each year to keep it all in check and in perspective? If you do shop on Black Friday, stay safe! It’s a jungle out there!
