Black Friday spendy season is almost here. Last year (according to our friends at NAB), Aussies spent $8.7 BILLION over the 4-day spendy season. That is a lot of money and yes, it’s designed to lure you to dig deep into your pockets and clear you out... but with a bit of prep, you can dodge the impulse buys, stay on -track and use the sales to your advantage!

This week I set up my family Kris Kringle (I used Draw Names which seemed to work pretty well) to make the most of the upcoming sales. We only buy one gift for one immediate family member, which is *chefs kiss* for my stress levels and bank balance.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to keeping your spending under control while still nailing your Christmas/Festive Season shopping:

1. Make a Gift List & Set a Budget

Before the sales hit, make a list of exactly who you need to buy for—don’t forget people that aren’t immediate family but you want to gift something small to (your kids teacher, your distant relative that always buys you something nice, your cleaner, vet...etc)!

Write down what you’d like to get each person and set a firm budget per gift. This way, you’re not aimlessly scrolling for ‘ideas’ that lead to overspending.

If you are looking for a gift that keep on giving either for you or someone you love, then make sure you stay tuned. If I’m honest, I ummed and ahhhed about doing anything for Black Friday , but our members tell us they are now on track to have significant more security and financial freedom in their life because of our programs (which honestly almost makes me cry every.single.time I hear it)... and so I think being able to do anything that helps you have that is absolutely the right thing to do. Keep your eyes peeled for more deets soon.

2. Do Your Research Early

Know what you want to buy? Check prices NOW so you can spot a genuine discount. Sales aren’t always as good as they seem, so do a little digging to ensure you’re getting a true bargain—not a marketing trick.

3. Use a ‘Wait 24 Hours’ Rule

If you see something tempting that wasn’t on your list, wait 24 hours before purchasing. Often, the urge to buy will fade once the hype has settled. If it’s not still on your mind a day later, it’s probably wasn't that important.

4. Unsubscribe from Marketing Emails

Pre-sales hype can fuel FOMO, so cut the temptation early from brands you have no business be tempted by. Unsubscribe from marketing emails, newsletters, mute on insta and any brands known for their Black Friday ‘specials’—at least until the sales are over. You can always re-subscribe later if you miss their updates, but for now, it’s about protecting your mental health and wallet.

5. Consider ‘Experience’ Gifts

Instead of buying more ‘stuff,’ look for experience-based gifts. Tickets to a concert, a cooking class, or a subscription to a service/membership they’ll love can be more meaningful and won’t lead to post-holiday clutter.

6. Use AI & Price Trackers

Use a price tracking tool or app to monitor items on your gift wish list. This way, you can see if the Black Friday ‘deal’ is the lowest it’s been—and if it’s worth snapping up. Or, you can ask AI to look online and give you the best prices going around (including postage). It will literally spit out a table for you to compare in a heartbeat. Honestly, we are living in the future at this point!

7. Have a Dedicated Account for Seasonal Spending

Stick to using only a debit card or a designated ‘spending’ account for your purchases. This makes it harder to get carried away and rack up credit card debt, and it keeps your budget front of mind. Y’all know I am a big fan for having specific accounts for things (like Christmas) and it’s for exactly this reason.

8. No Debt Hangovers Allowed

My general advice only stance is we say thank you, no thank you to doing into debt for gifts... I am not about you starting 2025 with a debt hangover. It’s easy to get sucked into spending more than you planned with Buy Now, Pay Later options or Credit Cards. If you can’t afford it now, it’s best to skip it. Remember: if it’s not in your budget today, it’s not a bargain! We aren’t Girl Mathing anything over here.

9. Ask Yourself: Does This Fit My Values?

Before buying anything, consider if it aligns with what’s important to you. Is it a sustainable choice? Will it bring genuine joy to the person receiving it? Or is it just another thing they (or you) don’t need?

10. Celebrate the Wins!

Every time you skip an unnecessary purchase, take a moment to celebrate! Use the money you didn’t spend to invest in your goals—whether that’s beefing up your savings, chucking some extra money into your investing Freedom Fund, making an extra Super contribution, or treating yourself to a holiday experience that doesn’t clutter your space.

Jess

Have a money dilemma?

Money dilemmas can be a nightmare! They can leave you up all night ruminating about what to do, have you feeling alone and isolated or just plain ol' stuck. So, we are here to help. I am going to tackle one a week and give you my unbiased, no BS general thoughts on how to tackle your conundrum. We would love for you to send yours (or someone you know) in. 

Obvs all of this is general advice only... especially important to note any and all of the comments above do not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided and the nature of the relevant financial product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.