The early Black Friday sales are already here, flooding my inbox and following me around on Instagram. This time of year, I remind myself that the sense of insistence around Black Friday is a scam that leads to overconsumption. You might have heard about a report that found that some 80% of Black Friday purchases, including the packaging, are discarded after minimal or no use. I do not want to contribute to such waste!
Here are three ideas that I personally employ to keep myself from overconsuming during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This list does not include tips like unsubscribing to email lists or avoiding social media, though you can do that too. This is more about creating new behaviors for myself instead of avoiding temptations.
1. Make a list
This is the number one thing that helps me. In the calm before the holiday shopping frenzy, I make a list and do my research. This forces me to take an inventory of what I already own, whether we’re talking about household goods or the clothes in my closet.
I’m all about saving money, so Black Friday can be helpful for stocking up on those items that I use regularly throughout the year like skincare or say, small batch spices. But it’s important to see what you already own so you don’t buy something you already have.
When it comes to clothes, I already make it a habit to keep a Wardrobe Wish List throughout the year. This keeps me on task when I’m shopping. And if there’s something I covet, I often pin it to a Pinterest board and think it over for months. If it’s an item I’ve decided yes on, and it happens to go on sale, then that’s a happy, but slowly-thought-out, acquisition.
2. Do some Thanksgiving KonMari-ing
Some items I decluttered from my kitchen one Thanksgiving holiday.
Six years ago, I decluttered during the long Thanksgiving holiday and found it so satisfying (and poetic) that I’ve made it an annual tradition. Granted, this only works if you’re not traveling or busy hosting. But if you find yourself with some downtime, try going through your things and doing a purge of what you no longer want or need. (If doing a big decluttering is too much, then just focus on one room or category.) And in Marie Kondo fashion, I like to thank the items for their service before letting them go. It is Thanksgiving, after all.
Of course, after you’ve identified items to get rid of, you’ll need to well, get rid of them. Six years ago, I took my goods to various charity shops or programs, but these days I like giving things away on my local Buy Nothing group where items will, hopefully, actually get used.
3. Hold a Free Store or Swap
Speaking of giving things away, one year after my Thanksgiving KonMari-ing, I invited some friends over on Black Friday to shop the items I had ejected from my closet. (Here’s the post I wrote at that time about that experience, along with some questions to ask yourself when you’re shopping.) This was way more enjoyable than heading to a crowded mall. It was gratifying to see clothing that didn’t work out for me get a second life with friends.
You could also hold a swap where everyone brings items to share. Either way, this is a fun, free, and sustainable way to spend time together.
A shirt I barely wore that I passed along to a friend.
Well, that’s my little list of tips. I hope you found this helpful. And if you do shop this holiday season, consider shopping small businesses and shopping local where your dollars can go to helping out your community.
First Image: Element 5 Digital/Unsplash
