Trading Time or Buying Freedom

Here we go.!

The Black Friday deals are rolling in like dark clouds.
Phones are already buzzing and TV ads screaming about all the seemingly good deals. Don’t get caught in the storm.

I thought I would re-blog this post to keep you grounded in your financial decisions.

My friend, it seems the noise is too much, so avoid getting caught in it.
Put in earplugs and protect your wallet.
Remember, the marketing machine is in full operation.

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Simple tip

Only buy what you need; don’t be tempted by the so-called savings on goodies that are not initially in your budget.

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Hashtag#

If it’s not on your budget, it’s not a good deal!

It’s an exciting day if you are a retailer and cash-up day big money too. Deal-hunting day for consumers. Understandably, who doesn’t want good deals? Let’s explore the history and meaning of Black Friday.

A Brief History of Black Friday

Traditionally, Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States of America. Everything seems to be made in America; that’s the world order. The term Black Friday originated in the 1950s, and the Philadelphia police apparently used it to describe the chaotic crowds of shoppers and visitors after Thanksgiving Day.

By 1960, retailers adopted the term Black Friday, and it became associated with the start of the Christmas shopping season. Retailers moved from the red (net loss) to the black (making money). That concludes the history lesson.

Whether understanding the history of Black Friday is helpful or not, I don’t know. What I know is people will definitely spend more money on this day; Traditionally, it was a one-day deal. Thanks to the smart retail industry, they convinced us one day was not enough. No need to blame these retailers, by the way.

Retailers understand our psychology

In the USA, people sometimes get hurt or even killed while fighting for Black Friday deals. I suppose a smart retailer might say, no need to cause much commotion on one day; let’s start these deals early. Smart 🤓 move. Remember, retailers are always one step ahead of the consumer. They understand our psychology better than we understand ourselves.

Maybe it makes sense to have these deals early after all. Who wants to be caught in a stampede of shoppers, like wildebeest and zebras 🦓 on a great migration crossing the Masai flooded river full of crocodiles, as seen on National Geographic TV 🐊? It’s truly survival of the fittest  not fit wallet but body strength. You see, wallet strength is unnecessary for Black Friday; one just needs to know how to tap the credit 💳.

Black Friday chaos not just in shops

It’s really war in some shops; even banks and car dealerships advertise Black Friday these days. It’s interesting that Black Friday was not a big deal in South Africa until 2011 or 2012. Forgive my poor memory  just turned 40 the other day and was chatting with my friends about financial independence, and they diagnosed me with a midlife crisis. Whether it’s a midlife crisis, I don’t care. Actually, I will pursue financial independence regardless.

My first Black Friday experience

Back to Black Friday: I remember my first big Black Friday in 2014. I popped into a grocery supermarket, and it was chaotic. I am motivated by food, so I didn’t go to the appliance store but went straight to the chicken fridge. Chicken was marked at some ridiculous amount, maybe R27.99 or even less. I grabbed lots of fresh whole chicken and proceeded to the checkout and home. Good deal, smiling 😁 alone in the car.

Only when I got home did I discover that the price was per kg, not per unit. Not much of a saving, really. Smart retailers label the per-kg price smaller than the actual price. I learnt my lesson.

These days, when shopping for deals, I take my time. That’s the reason I don’t shop on Black Friday anymore. I suppose you and I should do price surveys now and record those prices to compare when Black Friday deals are out. Sounds smart, right? Maybe we can outsmart retailers. Forget it maybe not worth it. Remember, you and I value time above all. I suspect it’s way too much work to create these price survey spreadsheets.

Shop only what you need

Since I am a proponent of international living, I suggest only shop for things you need. Don’t let your emotions convince you that you need more toilet paper than normal. We saw what happened during the COVID lockdown; it was never a clever idea to fill your cupboard with toilet tissue rolls and an empty food pantry.

If this is you, you might as well do barter trade with your neighbours unless it’s the Joneses; they might not like your one-ply toilet paper. The moral of the story is: it’s hard working for money; don’t let your emotions rule you this Black Friday. Much better to be at work on this day; don’t be tempted to take leave off work and go window shopping either. According to Business Maverick data, South Africans spent over 30 billion rand on Black Friday in 2024. Big money that! That figure includes your air fryer you bought on Black Friday last year.

Shop responsibly

Please shop responsibly on Black Friday. Remember, Christmas is still on its way, and today I received a stationery list for school just a gentle reminder that after all the festive impulse shopping, life carries on. Mince pies are already on display, showing that the spending season has begun.

If you need nothing on Black Friday, stay at home; you will save money, time, and emotional energy. It’s hard enough to tell your emotions no! while sitting at home alone. When you are looking at the deals in the store, your emotions will be in charge  by then, too late, too slow; emotions will win.

If you really like the deals, maybe set a small budget for Black Friday and go search for deals. Just remember to leave your credit card at home to avoid temptation. I suppose these days people pay with their phones. There are also online deals on your phone and SMS deals. It’s really hard to be a consumer these days.

Some days I think I will move to a secluded spot in the Karoo and mind my sheep 🐏. Lamb is expensive these days, so perhaps I can enjoy nice lamb chops 😜.

Financial independence over impulse spending

Whatever you do this Black Friday and Christmas festive season, rein in your emotions. You and I have a bigger goal of financial independence way more important than butter on R59.99. Control and master your emotions, otherwise they will master you, and from there, it’s downhill: your money will boss you around.

Even for Christmas, don’t just shop like you have endless cash; set a budget for groceries and presents. Otherwise, you end up with no Januworry money. January feels like a year if you are broke.

At least for Black Friday, we don’t need to buy presents for each other. With Christmas ads already out, you are being reminded that the cash-splashing season is in full swing. Pushed into the trolley 🛒 of Black Friday deals.

Shop smart.

🖤 Happy Black Friday