As we near the end of the year, the holiday season kicks off with Thanksgiving. It’s a special time to come together with family and friends, enjoy a great meal, and reflect on what we’re thankful for. But along with Thanksgiving comes the madness of Black Friday shopping, known for long lines, packed stores, crazy parking, and sometimes bad behavior.
If the idea of diving into the shopping chaos doesn’t excite you, here are three good reasons to stay home instead:
1. AVOID IMPULSE BUYS
Thanksgiving sales can lure us into buying things we don’t really need. Even if you’re careful with your money, unnecessary spending can throw you off track. Studies show that shopping can lead to more shopping, especially with the clever marketing strategies used during Black Friday and Cyber Monday that make you feel like you must buy now. These tactics often result in quick decisions and purchases that aren’t necessary.
To avoid falling for these tricks, don’t let the fear of missing out on deals push you into buying things you don’t need. Stick to purchasing items you had already planned to buy.
2. SHOP COMFORTABLY FROM HOME
Many people brave the cold and wait in long lines at stores like Best Buy or Target for the chance at “doorbuster” deals. These deals are usually limited in time and quantity and aren’t always big brand names. Sometimes, stores don’t even reveal what the doorbusters are until they open.
Deals aren’t just available around Thanksgiving and Black Friday—they often extend well beyond both in stores and online. Shopping online has many perks, such as easy price comparisons, possible free shipping, and finding items that might not be in physical stores.
Helpful shopping apps like PriceBlink, PriceGrabber, and RetailMeNot can assist in finding great deals by offering the best prices or discount codes, making your online shopping experience smoother.
3. ENJOY THE HOLIDAY, NOT BLACK FRIDAY
If you’re fortunate enough to have Thanksgiving off, spend that time enjoying yourself. You can relax at home, host a family gathering, or volunteer at a local community center instead of rushing through Thanksgiving dinner to compete with the masses for in-store deals.
Some retail workers choose to work on Thanksgiving and Black Friday for extra pay, but many would prefer to spend time with their families.
Think about why you want to shop on such an important holiday. You might find that sharing a meal with loved ones is far more valuable than saving 30% on a waffle maker, something you could probably get another time anyway.