35 Things to Do Instead of Shopping on Black Friday

I saw an article by Adbusters.org that encouraged people to avoid shopping on Black Friday and have called it “Buy Nothing Day”.  A video in support of this initiative was banned by MTV and other networks.  “Buy Nothing Day” is an international day of protest in North America on Black Friday and on November 24 internationally. It was started in September 1992 in Mexico and adopted in North America in 1997.   It is now celebrated in 65 nations. Adbusters.org renamed “Buy Nothing Day” to “Occupy Xmas”.  Instead of going to large stores they encourage consumers to support local and small businesses or make your own gifts.

I am not against helping the economy. I am against consumers following prey to the gimmicks, marked up prices and false advertisements to lure people to the stores to go into debt causing people to fight, trample others, argue, act rude and lose sight of the meaning of the holidays. If you have the cash to purchase gifts by all means do so.  If you don’t this is where the problem lies.  Going into debt:  doesn’t help the economy if you don’t pay off your debt, prevents you from paying another bill and doesn’t enhance your life.  

I was intrigued by the article and realized I was one of few Americans who would not be at the store on Black Friday.  I started thinking how different would the country be if we did not participate in Black Friday and used that time and energy for others things. We could eliminate hunger and poverty in the U.S., we could ensure all those without food had a meal every day, we could buy from local and small businesses which employ over 50% of employees in the U.S., we could pay down personal debt which would help businesses earn revenue and more. Here are 35 things to do instead of going shopping on Black Friday.

1. Hide your credit card and debit card so you don’t make any purchases today
2. Clean your house
3. Do volunteer work
4. Spend time with your family and friends
5. Donate your time and money to a charity
6. Develop a new idea to start a business
7. Take time out for yourself to relax
8. Exercise
9. Organize documents to file your taxes this year
10. Balance your checkbook or bank accounts
11. Pay bills
12. Learn a new skill
13. Visit the sick and shut-in
14. Make new friends
15. Attend a networking event
16. Reconnect with old friends
17. Apologize to anyone you may have hurt in the past
18. Give back money you borrowed from friends or family
19. Water your plants
20. Give a word of encouragement to someone who needs it
21. Wash your car
22. Clean out your garage
23. Rake leaves in your yard
24. Walk your dog
25. Turn off the TV. and read a book
26. Full up your gas tank
27. Take your car for maintenance/repairs
28. Make a commitment to eliminate one bad habit
29. Create a plan to pay off your debt
30. Create a plan to start an emergency fund to cover all monthly expenses for 9-12 months
31. Review insurance policies and beneficiaries and make any necessary updates
32. Help your children with their homework
33. Write down 5 things you are grateful for
34. Tell your family and friends how much you love them
35. Watch a comedy movie

Think Before You Spend

The holiday season has arrived and everyone is getting ready to spend money. Department stores are luring consumers to the stores with early hour sales. Don't get caught up in the holiday shopping frenzy. Think before you spend. If you don't have the cash don't flash – don't use your credit card to buy holiday gifts.

If you have the money after the holiday season and have paid all of your bills and creditors, buy gifts the day after Christmas. Department stores have great deals the day after Christmas and you may even get better deals than those offered during the Black Friday sales.

Many people have lost sight of what the holidays are all about. The holidays are not about buying or getting gifts - it is about spending time with your family and being thankful for what you have – not for what you don't have.

January and February have the highest number of bankruptcies and divorces and finances are one of the main reasons for divorce. Ask yourself these questions before you start shopping for gifts this holiday season.

1. Do have to charge your Christmas or holiday gifts this year?

2. Did it take you 6 months or more to pay off your debts from Christmas or holiday shopping last year?

3. Did you buy too many expensive gifts or more than you should have?

4. Are you buying expensive gifts to impress someone or to "keep up with the Jones"?

5. Are you ashamed that if you buy a gift that costs $20 people will think you are cheap, poor or broke?

6. Why do you feel the need to spend money that you don't have?

7. Will buying gifts this holiday season help or hurt your financial situation?

8. Do you make your own choices to spend money or do you let others influence you, i.e. media, friends, relatives, your children, spouse, advertisements, etc.?

7 Tips to Help Parents During the Holidays

It's the thought that counts - not how much you spend. Many people have lost site of what the holidays are all about. The holidays are about spending time with your family and friends, reflecting on the past year, and thinking about things you would like to change in the New Year. Here are 7 tips on how to navigate your finances during the holidays.

1. Lower expectations. Many times children's expectations for holiday gifts are obtained from friends, classmates or from watching television. Be realistic - let your children know your financial situation and their price limit for holidays gifts. If they can only get one big gift or one toy let them know as soon as possible. Teach your children that receiving several gifts doesn't mean a better holiday experience; spending time with family is more important than the number of gifts they receive. If your children still believe in Santa, buy several small gifts from the dollar store (gifts that actually cost a dollar). That way they will still believe in Santa and save you money.

2. Be Strong. Don't give in to "puppy dog eyes", whining or complaining from your children. Stay firm with your decision about gifts for the holidays. Giving in to your children sets unrealistic expectations and does not prepare them for the disappointments that occur in the real world.

3. Set a spending limit. Set a spending limit for your holiday shopping including groceries, gifts, etc. This will reduce your chances of going into debt and relieve the stress of having to buying things that are not in your budget. Don't go into debt trying to buy gifts for your children. Do they really need a new desktop or laptop or can they use the one they have until next year.

4. Volunteer. If you children refuse to accept that they cannot get the gifts they want for the holidays take them to a shelter or sign them up to volunteer to help the homeless or sick children to help them change their perspective about life and what's really important. Other children and families have less than they do and they should be appreciative of whatever they have.

5. Follow Traditions. If you family has inexpensive traditions follow them this year to save money such as baking cookies, donating used toys, or going through the neighborhood caroling. This will get your children in the holiday spirit, keep them active and distract them from spending time thinking about all the gifts they want for the holidays.

6. Unexpected Gifts. If you children decide to give gifts to their babysitter, teachers or new friends - don't be alarmed. Be creative and bake deserts or make gifts if you are good with arts and crafts.

7. Consult with your ex. Talk with your ex-spouse to make sure your children are not asking for the same gifts and are not trying to use guilt and as a way to get more gifts from both parents because you are divorced.

Holiday Spending

The holidays are approaching and everyone is getting ready to spend money. Before you start your Christmas shopping check your finances and check your spending history. Ask yourself these questions.

1. Did you have to charge your Christmas gifts last year or will you have to charge your Christmas gifts this year?
2. Did it take you at least 6 months to pay off your debts from Christmas shopping last year?
3. Did you buy too many expensive gifts or more than you should have?
4. Are you ashamed that if you buy a gift that costs $20 people will think you are cheap or are poor or broke?
5. Well, don't. You are not cheap, everyone doesn't have Donald Trump money and people should understand that. It really is the thought that counts and if someone gets upset because you only spent $20 on a gift, that is their problem not yours. Many people have lost site of what the holidays are all about. It is not about giving a gift, it is about spending time with your family, being thankful, reflecting on the past year, and thinking about things you would like to change in the New Year.

This year start thinking about changing your spending habits. If you start saving this year you won't have to go into debt next year when doing your Christmas shopping.

Here are some tips to save on your Christmas shopping.

1. Buy Christmas gifts during store sales.
2. Spend less money on gifts this year than you did last year.
3. Check out local vendors, you can probably haggle to good a good deal on the same items you find in the department store.
4. Think of creative gifts to give that you can make yourself.
5. If you have to buy children's gifts check out your local dollar store.
6. If you really want to buy gifts but don't have the money get a part-time job until Christmas arrives to make extra money so you don't go into debt.
7. Starting next year buy your gifts throughout the year so you don't feel overwhelmed with buying all of your Christmas gifts at one time.
8. If you have to buy gifts for several members of your family suggest exchanging gifts so only one person has to buy a gift for one person and set a limit on the amount spent. That way everyone gets a gift and you are not burdened with buying several gifts.
9. Make getting out of debt one of your new year's resolutions.
   

For more tips and information on how to get out of debt you can buy my book, How to Get Out of Debt: Get an "A" Credit Rating For Free Using the System I've Used Successfully With Thousands of Clients at www.hefreemanenteprises.com.