The Hidden Cost of Black Friday Deals: Rethinking the Holiday Shopping Frenzy

Black Friday: a day typically connected to huge price deals, long lines, and the thrill of scoring a bargain. Behind all those big discounts though, there’s a hidden cost—to our money, our peace of mind, and even the planet. Inspired by the Netflix documentary Buy Now, let’s take a moment to think about what this shopping craze really means to us as humans and how we can approach it differently this year.

Watch my YouTube video where I explain it all in detail!

The Psychological Lures we are all accustomed to at this point:

1. The Scarcity Effect
   Limited quantities and time-sensitive offers that trigger our FOMO (fear of missing out)
2. The Illusion of Savings
   

   I just saw a TikTok post where a shop person was changing out the signs inside a popular store with their “Black Friday” deep savings signs. Well, the prices were EXACTLY THE SAME as the regular sign. 

   While discounts seem like a great deal, research shows that many items are marked up before being "discounted." You may end up spending more during this feeding frenzy.

3. Impulse Buying and Regret
   Over and over again, the excitement of Black Friday can override rational decision-making, perhaps leading you to impulse buy. Hold your roll, Batman.

After effects of a Black Friday Frenzy:

1. Debt and Overspending
   Credit card debt spikes during Black Friday as consumers chase deals they can’t afford. The effect of a person’s  interest rates turn these "savings" into costly mistakes unfortunately.
2. The reality of now having to manage all these new purchases in your home.
   As the season brings a serious tidal wave of gifts, objects, and unwanted items into your home, where will it all go? Understanding the effort it takes to manage all this stuff might allow for you to consider curbing these traditions.
3. Diminished Value Over Time
   Studies show that the joy of material possessions fades quickly, leaving shoppers with buyer’s remorse and a home full of more stuff.

Consider NEW Choices This Holiday Season!

Instead of being swept up in the Black Friday frenzy, take a step back and reflect on some other ways of celebrating the season of giving.

1. Set Intentions
   Prior to losing your mind with the shopping frenzy, make a list of what you genuinely need and stick to it. If you find you are just about to make a purchase,  ask yourself: "Do I already have something like this at home?”
2. Experience over Material Gifts
   Instead of buying physical items, consider gifting experiences. What about a cooking class for the family, relaxing massage gift certificates, or a sweet weekend getaway? These experiences can create lasting memories for your family and don’t contribute to clutter or wasteful spending. These gifts could provide more emotional value than material items for something to just wrap up.

Black Friday doesn’t have to mean overspending, overconsumption, or overwhelm. By making different choices, you can steer the holiday season from the clutches of consumerism and new home clutter and focus on crafting new experiences that don’t take up any room in your home!