How to Build Your Black Friday Game Plan (Without Losing Yourself)
A realistic guide to shop consciously without guilt, chaos, or overconsumption.
Last year, I convinced myself I wasn’t going to shop on Black Friday.
I had a list, a budget, and a pretty solid sense of control.
But then… I opened my email.
“Last chance.” “Your cart misses you.” “50% off everything.”
Within minutes, my list grew longer and my logic grew weaker. I told myself, “At least I’m buying things I’ll actually use.”
But deep down, I knew I wasn’t buying out of need. I was buying out of pressure.
“Overconsumption doesn’t always come from greed. Sometimes, it comes from exhaustion because it’s easier to click than to confront what we actually need.”
That moment taught me something important: conscious shopping doesn’t happen by accident.
You have to prepare for it.
So this year, I’m building a plan; one that helps me remember my values and not get swept up in the sale-season storm.
Here’s how I’m approaching it:
Prep Your Mind
Before I even open a sale email, I write down three things I actually need.
That’s it. Just three.
It could be a new pair of jeans to replace ones that no longer fit, a skincare refill, or something I’ve been saving for all year.
Everything else? It waits.
“When you know what you need, everything else becomes optional.”
Prep Your Inbox
Black Friday emails are built to wear you down. You don’t even have to be shopping, just scrolling.
So I clean house before the sales start.
I unsubscribe from store newsletters, mute sale-heavy accounts, and delete apps that make it too easy to buy on impulse.
It’s not about missing out. It’s about making space to breathe.
Because every “just in case” notification is designed to make you forget your boundaries.
Prep Your Cart
When I do find something worth buying, I leave it in my cart for 24 hours.
No exceptions.
If I still want it after a day—and it still fits my budget and values—I’ll check out.
Most of the time, the urge fades and I feel relieved that I didn’t give in.
“If something loses its appeal after 24 hours, you probably didn’t want it in the first place.”
Prep Your Boundaries
Your budget is your boundary.
Decide how much you’re willing to spend before the algorithm decides for you.
Once I hit my limit, I stop even if something else feels tempting.
Because when we treat spending like a competition, the only one who wins is the company.
This year, my goal isn’t to “save big.” It’s to stay aligned with my values.
Your Shopping Buddy
If you need a little support, my Before You Buy Flowchart was made for this moment.
It’s a 30-second check-in tool to help you pause before a purchase and figure out whether it’s you wanting the item or the sale convincing you that you do.
Keep it open on your phone this weekend. It’s your gentle reminder that slowing down doesn’t mean missing out, it means shopping with intention.
👉🏾 Grab your $2 Before You Buy Flowchart — and keep it close this Black Friday + Cyber Monday.
This season, let’s rewrite what it means to participate.
You can care about the planet and enjoy a good deal.
You can buy something and still be intentional.
It’s not about perfection, it’s about participation in a different way.
“Conscious shopping isn’t about avoiding sales. It’s about showing up to them with awareness.”
Shareable lines:
“Overconsumption doesn’t always come from greed. Sometimes, it comes from exhaustion.”
“When you know what you need, everything else becomes optional.”
“If something loses its appeal after 24 hours, you probably didn’t want it in the first place.”
“Conscious shopping isn’t about avoiding sales. It’s about showing up to them with awareness.”
✨ Next week:
The Hidden Cost of “Good Deals” — a cozy, thought-provoking reflection on how discounts and “limited-time” sales disguise the true costs of overconsumption.
Currently
Reading- Law School Cases
Listening (music)- “A Tu Merced”- Bad Bunny
Listening (podcast)- “Financial Feminist” by Tory Dunlap
Waiting on- Winter break
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Thank you for reading “Better You.”
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