Before You Add to Cart
The trap is easy to fall into. It starts with one harmless item, like something you’ve been waiting all year to buy. But then the “limited-time deals” start popping up like flashing neon signs: Only 3 left! Ends in 20 minutes. The countdown clock starts ticking as you build your cart with advertised discounts. Suddenly the cart resembles a Thanksgiving buffet plate, way more than planned, but it all looked so good as it went into the cart.
And you aren’t alone in this struggle. Black Friday has been engineered to make even the most disciplined shopper feel like they’re missing out if they don’t snag the deal. The hype, the urgency, the thrill of feeling like you’re getting a bargain all stirs up an emotional cocktail that’s hard to resist. Before long, they joy of saving money turns into the regret of overspending, and what started as a smart purchase becomes a financial storm.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a little intention and a lot of awareness, we can walk into the holiday shopping season with clarity, peace, and purpose.
Smart Strategies to Avoid Overspending
Define Sale
If you have to go into debt or put it on a credit card, it’s not a sale for you. If something is marked down 20%, but you have to pay the credit card interest of 28%, then you’re paying more for that item. Don’t let sticker colors and flashy discounts trick you into spending more with the illusion of a sale.
Set a Budget
Determine how much you’re willing to spend in total and stick to it. Break it down by category (e.g., gifts, home items, decorations) to stay organized and avoid impulse buys.
Make a List
Prioritize the items you truly need or have been planning to purchase, and avoid getting sidetracked by tempting deals on unnecessary items. It can be easy to start accumulating gifts early- which can be saving money- however, without noting who and what the gifts are ahead of time you may end up spending more than planned.
Research and Compare Prices
Check prices ahead of time to know the regular cost of items you’re interested in. Use price comparison tools to ensure the deal is genuinely a good one. You can also find some sites that maintain lists across retailers. This step can be a gamechanger in how you approach sales. Just because it claims to be a sale, does not mean it actually is one.
Avoid “Doorbusters” and Flash Sales
These limited-time offers often create a sense of urgency, leading to impulsive purchases. Make sure the deal is worthwhile before jumping in.
Avoid Emotional Spending
Stay mindful of your emotions—Black Friday can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to buy on impulse when you’re feeling excitement or anxiety. If you’re worried about getting “the right deal” or not getting the “best deal”, or have hesitation for any reason, walk away from the cart (or online cart).
Check Return Policies
Ensure you understand the store’s return policy, especially for sale items, to avoid being stuck with things you don’t need or want later.
Staying Grounded When the Sales Start Shouting
While the term “Black Friday” does not appear in the Bible, God does have things to say about spending and about spending within our means.
Spending isn’t just about the numbers. It’s about values. What we spend money on is a direct reflection of our hearts. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21. Overspending often reveals where our affections and identity lie. Whenever you encounter the next “sale”, ask yourself where your heart is focused. If it’s something worth the value you’re willing to pay.
Retailers play on emotion to make us feel like we’re lacking something, but Scripture offers a different lens. “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15. Life is never about stuff, even if we got it on sale. Sometimes the best way to add value to your life isn’t to add more to it, but to find contentment in what we already have.
When it comes to planning ahead and staying on budget, sometimes it’s the lack of impulse control that ultimately gets us to spend more than we meant to. Discipline is the difference between choosing what you want most over what you want now. Working on self discipline means strengthening our willpower and making conscious decisions. “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28.
Conclusion: Shopping with Sanity
Black Friday will always promise more: more savings, more excitement, more reasons to buy. But as followers of Christ, we don’t live by countdown clocks or color-coded price tags. We’re called to live with wisdom, contentment, and purpose. Sales come and go, but the position of our hearts is what truly matters.
At the end of the day, stewardship isn’t about denying ourselves good things; it’s about aligning our spending with what actually brings value, peace and joy. It’s about remembering that God has already given us everything we need for a full life, and that no sale, regardless of how flashy it appears, can add to that.
So as the deals roll in and the pressure ramps up, pause. Breathe. Ask yourself where your treasure is and where your heart is following. When your spending reflects your values, your faith, and your long-term goals, you’ll walk away not just with savings, but with peace.
And that’s a deal worth choosing every time.
Bible Verses for Reflection
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15