Hi Luxe Babes!

So…it’s that time of year again! We are preparing for Thanksgiving, getting our homes in order, makeing grocery list and checking them twice! Your Guest will come over (Or you will be heading over to someone’s home) and you will eat and be merry! As the evening wraps up, you will wind down and then realize that the next day is Black Friday and YOU HAVE TO GO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!! Right? Well…not really.

Times have changed. Years ago, I remember people standing in line at Retailors at 3am, freezing their but offs tring to purchase one of 3 $79.99 TV’s. There are some stores that still use the first come first serve method. It’s very antiquated and becoming rare. The truth is, Black Friday is already in Full effect and the Honey Baked Ham had not even grazed your lips yet!

Bonus Tip off the Rip: Shop Discount Stores FIRST for less traffic!

Now, If you still feel like it’s tradition to hit the streets at 5am but don’t Want to deal with the craziness at the stores, shop discount retailers FIRST, Like Marshalls, TJMaxx, Ross, Burlington and so on. Most of them don’t do Doorbusters or Sales, so people flock to them after they hit the regular department/ Big Box type stores. You get to shop in peace and will be back in bed snackin on a Turkey and Cranberry Sandwich before you know it!

Tip #1: Take Advantage of Online Pre-Black Friday Sales

I Know what your thinking, What if it is cheaper on Black Friday? I Get it. But the truth is, it might not be either. Black Friday is designed to lure you into the stores. There is a chance that that $79.99 TV might sell out very quickly. The concept is, most consumers will adopt a “Well, as long as I’m here…” attitude and take a look around the store anyway an end up making a purchase anyway. THAT’S THE POINT!! THEY GOT YOU SIS! 

The Fix: Online Shop (In yo P.Js!)

Make a cup of coffee or Tea…Check your email and subscribe to your Favorite Retailers Email updates (You can always unsubscribe afterwards…BUT who wants to miss a sale?). They will often have Pre-Black Friday Sales that are worth taking advantage of for One reason: AVAILABILITY OF PRODUCT! As a Plus-Size woman, I always fear of my size selling out because I was waiting till the last minute. So play our cards accordingly…if your size sells out on the regular…dont wait till some miraculous Black Friday deal comes out. Bonus Tip: Create/Log in to your accounts on the retailers site. Add Items that you are coveting to your shopping bag. Most retailers will save your cart. Check your cart often. When a Great Deal pops up, your cart will already be loaded and you can just apply your code and Check out! Remember, there are going to be thousands or even millions of customers on the site you will be prepared for site glitches and slowdowns. (That being said….the earlier you shop, the less site traffic you have to deal with!)

Here are a Few Emails I got AS I WAS WRITING THIS BLOG POST!! HURRY! lol!! (Click Photos for Site Links!)

Tip 2: Use Coupon Code Sites

This might seem like a DUH moment, but SO MANY people don’t even know about places like DOSH,  Ebates,  and Retail Me Not ! There are SOOO many apps out there that can give you all the current coupon codes AND help you recieve cash back on your purchases! I will say that when you use these sites, you may have to apply a few coupon codes to get the best option. Ebates, if added to your internet toolbar, will auto apply all the codes and apply the one with the most savings (If any). 

The Fix: Get to downloading Babe!

Take a few minutes (NOW! Your already Late!!) to sign up and download some apps. Also check with your Banks and Credit card companies (Cash App included) to see if they have what I call store “Boosters” that help you earn cash back or get instant savings when you are shopping! I know the Cash App Card, Delta CU has some and AMEX has some awesome stores on their list! Be resourceful!

Tip #3 Stop feeling Obligated!

I am tapping into my own heart right now. I know that man of us feel obligated to take this time to purchase these “Things” at a heavy discount because otherwise, we couldn’t afford it. Well the reality, there are a lot of us who really cant afford to buy everyone a christmas gift, even if it is at a discount. Now, I myself tend to use this time of year to boost up my wardrobe for cold weather (Specially since I’ve gained weight!). I recommend really looking at your budget and seriously think about weather or not you can truly afford to spend money. You begin shopping for one person, then get guilty about not getting another person a gift…and so on. You are not doing yourself a favor buy using money you really cant spare or going into (Or further) into debt to “make someone happy”.

The Fix: Zoom in on the reason for the Season

I first suggest (Its a little too late now…) to plan for your Holiday gift giving. Create a Cash Sink Fund. A Sink Fund is specific Savings for an inevitable specific purchase. You know Christmas is on December 25th EVERY YEAR. You can bet on it! Create a budget and pay towards it early in the year. The Second thing I want you to do is take the amount you saved, create a Gift giving list and assign each person a specific value budget. This does not mean you have to spend every cent in this budget, but it allows you to control your spending. Add Gift Ideas to this budget so that you have options and don’t get overwhelmed. This goes for your kids as well. Now, if you just can’t spend a lot of money, give freshly baked goods, handmade Items, Service Coupons (Babysitting, Organizing, or another skill) or JUST GOOD OLE PLAIN OLD LOVE!! Don’t let anyone ever tell you your love is not enough. If it isn’t, this person simply does not need to be in your life. 

The “Wrap” up! (See what I did there…)

I hope these tips help you soothe your Black Friday whoas! Now, I get that if you follow me, you are looking for Style Advice and the go-to places to shop! That’s why I aim to show a variety of places to shop. BUT I wanted to make sure my readers know that we ALL have different budgets and that’s perfectly ok! I encourage you to dig deep…really deep. Offer the gift of Love to your family and friend. Call them more often. Schedule a few Holiday Coffee dates. Cook or Bake for them. Crochet a blanket…make a bracelet…Frame a special photo! Christmas is not about who gives the best physical gift. Its about feeling the warmth and love we feel from Family and Friends. 

Special Note: This is also the season of Seasonal Depression…and as this phrase is starting to seem cliche, but PLEASE check on your Strong Friends! People need to feel loved…like they belong. R.I.P to all who took their lives this 2018…and prayers to the people they left behind.

Till Next Time Luxe Babes,
XOXO
Stephanie