How to shop the Black Friday sales without buying things you don't need

Black Friday seems to get bigger every year and more overwhelming! My inbox is always inundated the week before and the week after, it's no longer a single day of discounts but weeks of offers, early access offers and reminders not to miss out!

I do love a bargain and I will often use Black Friday to shop for Christmas gifts, especially if my children have asked for something specific but I try to avoid buying for the sake of buying (just because something is on a special offer).

Black Friday is a useful opportunity to get ahead with presents, replace things we genuinely need or buy something we have had our eye on for a while. But it is also very easy to get caught up in the excitement and end up with things we didn't really want in the first place.

For me previous Black Friday buys have included hair straighteners, a leather biker jacket and winter boots, all of which are still loved, used and appreciated.  This year I have my eye on a travel hairdryer!

I have become much more thoughtful about shopping as I have got older and I am trying to make better decisions about what I bring into my wardrobe and my home and now have regular sort outs and sell on Vinted.
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So, rather than sharing a huge list of things to buy, I thought I would put together a few practical tips for shopping the Black Friday sales without getting carried away.

This blog post contains paid for links.

Photo by Iuliia Pilipeichenko on Unsplash

Start with a list, not the discount!

Before you start browsing the Black Friday sales, take a little time to think about what you actually need.

Are there Christmas presents you have already decided to buy? Is there something in your wardrobe that needs replacing (a winter coat, leather boots, a handbag)? Have you been putting off a practical purchase because you were waiting for a better price (hair straighteners, beauty tech, a kitchen gadget)?  Write it all down, or save the shopping links on your notes app.  This will help you stay focused!

A few sales worth checking include, the adidas Black Friday sales if you are planning to buy trainers, sportswear or comfortable everyday clothing. The All Saints leather jackets, my black biker jackets was purchased on a Black Friday discount and it is a classic in my wardrobe.  And beauty tech like Cloud Nine, GHD or Tria Laser.

Think about Christmas gifts that will actually be used

Black Friday falls at a useful time for Christmas shopping, especially if you have family presents to organise.  The most useful and appreciated gifts are the ones that someone has asked for or has mentioned they would like.

For anyone in the family who enjoys sport, walking, travelling or an active lifestyle, practical gifts can be great and are often in the Black Friday sales. Think trainers, comfortable layers, sportswear or clothing for a favourite hobby, golf clothing or ski wear are good examples, and can be enjoyed long after Christmas Day.

My advice would be to make your Christmas shopping list early, ask for ideas where you can and use Black Friday to buy things you were already planning to give.

Replace the things you use or wear all the time

One of the most useful ways to approach Black Friday is to look at what you already own and use regularly.

We all have everyday favourites that get worn on repeat. The trainers that go on for every dog walk, the comfortable leggings that have seen better days or the hoodie that is now a little too bobbly to wear outside the house.

Or perhaps your hair straighteners need updating, or your hair dryer is taking forever to dry your hair or there is a beauty device you have been considering for a while. So rather than buying something completely new just because it is reduced, perhaps this is the time to replace or upgrade something you know you use.

The same applies to hobbies and activities. If you or someone in your family enjoys golf, for example, Black Friday could be a good opportunity to replace golf shoes or invest in some new golf clothing. Or perhaps you have been meaning to replace your walking trainers, gym leggings or a practical jacket.

Don't be fooled by the saving

Ask yourself a few questions before buying anything:
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• Did I want or need this before I saw the discount?
• Would I still like it if it wasn't on sale?
• Do I already own something similar?
• Can I think of at least three occasions when I will use or wear it?
• Is it genuinely a good price, or does the discount just make it look tempting?

Shop for the life you actually lead

This is something I have been thinking about more and more as I approach 60.  It is very easy to buy clothes for the person we imagine ourselves being, rather than the life we actually lead.  I see the glamorous influencers wearing some gorgeous heels or fabulous dress and I imagine myself wearing the same.  But I don't get enough wear out of this kind of thing with the lifestyle I lead, and whilst a few gorgeous outfits need to be part of my style, there is no need for me to have a wardrobe overflowing with special occasion outfits!  Most of my days involve dog walks, working from home, meeting friends for coffee and the occasional lunch out.

There is nothing wrong with buying something special, I'm a big fan of treating ourselves!  I have a family wedding in January so I will be keeping an eye out for a special dress!  But for me, comfortable but stylish everyday clothes are much more important and Black Friday can be a good opportunity to invest in the practical wardrobe pieces that make everyday life easier, rather than adding more clothes that stay unworn.

Think beyond Christmas Day

While Black Friday is often associated with Christmas shopping, it can also be a useful time to think ahead.

Are you planning a winter break? Do you need warmer layers for walking? Have you started a new fitness routine or made plans to become more active?

Perhaps you have a holiday booked for next year and already know there are a few things you will need - a winter ski trip, a spring golf break, a special summer holiday - I always buy my NAIA Beach bikinis in the sales!

Give yourself a cooling-off moment

One of the easiest ways to avoid an unnecessary purchase is simply to wait.  Black Friday offers often come with countdown clocks, limited availability messages and emails reminding you that you are about to miss out and it can all create a feeling that you need to make a decision immediately.

But unless it is something you already know you want, there is nothing wrong with leaving it in your basket for a little while. I often 'add to basket' but then change my mind once I have thought about it for a few hours.  So make a cup of tea, go for a walk or get on with something else, then come back and see whether you still feel the same way.  And of course there is always a possibility the discount will get even better!

In last year's Black Friday sales I upgraded my Cloud Nine Hair Straighteners, getting a really good discount on something I needed anyway!

Don't avoid the Black Friday sales completely. I for one love finding a good deal, especially when it means I can buy something I already wanted at a better price, but there is a lot to be said for shopping a little more thoughtfully.

Happy shopping, and remember, you don't have to buy something just because everyone else is!

Love from
Michelle xx


​Disclaimer: this blog post contains paid for links.