Black Friday. Shmack Friday. 

Is anyone else tired of Black Friday? Cyber Monday? Prime Days? And all the other commercialized days that lead to wasted funds and overconsumption?

It all feels so …. diluted.

HOWEVER…. there is a way to make these sales work to your advantage. 

According to experts, some Black Friday deals are misleading, as retailers may inflate original prices to make a deal look like a better value.

Whoa!

The BBC reported that of 201 Black Friday promotional deals {they reviewed}, only one was at its cheapest price on Black Friday versus the 6 months before and after!

So here’s what I did.
I started keeping a spreadsheet of items we buy often (like electrolyte and collagen powders) or items that need replacing (air filters, batteries and dish soap.)

Here’s the extra step that makes it all worthwhile – note the average price of these. It’s so easy to get caught up in a big flag that says SALE, DISCOUNT or BLACK FRIDAY, and not even realize the price was increased months ago to compensate for the current reduction.

If you purchase most items online and spreadsheets aren’t your thing, simply look at your previous orders and check that price.

For instance, I purchase classic cotton kitchen towels (you know the ones, white with a blue stripe down the middle) at least once or twice per year. They are on sale for $27.98 right now.  I purchased these in April for $19.98! YIKES

Some sales really are deals, so all is not lost!

Unbleached parchment paper sheets usually run me $16.99 for 200, these are on sale for $14.44.

If you can remove the emotional aspect of discounts and come at them from a true financial standpoint, you’ll use your money more wisely. 

Here are a few items on my list that I found to be cheaper than what I previously paid (no monies are earned, here, these are truly just items I’m buying.):

• Nuun Hydration Tablets
  • the Nuun Sport 8-pack: Using the blackfriday20 promo code gives me free shipping (a savings of $4.99)
• Blendtec Blenders
  • I’ve been using my Blendtec for over 15+ years and a couple of the jars have given their life. Everything on the site, including replacement jars, is 20%.
• Rubbermaid Brilliance Airtight Food Storage Containers
  • I recently organized my pantry using these containers and I couldn’t be happier! I’m adding a few more for those extra items like nuts and lentils that are still lying around in bags.
• York Food Sensitivity Test
  • Technically I’m not buying this, but I’ve recommended it to clients who have been interested in a food sensitivity test. It’s currently discounted over $50!

I would love to hear what you’re buying this year!

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