Money Musings 💭 How to "win" the holiday sales game
What you’ll find below:
Reflection: How to "win" the holiday sales game
Money Move: Get a money buddy
You Gotta See: Random book giveaway
Reel of the Week: Our latest women-owned holiday gift guide
Bonus: Affordable financial planning
As we approach the biggest shopping weekend of the year, I want to share some of the strategies I’ve developed for not overspending (too much).
For years, I matter-of-factly decided I wouldn’t buy anything on Black Friday or Cyber Monday - and I consistently failed. 🤦♀️ Sometimes bigger than others.
These are the five things that have changed the holiday sale game for me:
1. I MAKE A LIST.
I make a list of what I want to buy BEFORE the sales start and do some research. For example, I borrow J’s wireless headphones to film reels (and all the time 😂) and know that eventually I should probably get my own.
2. I ASK MYSELF - WOULD I BUY THIS IF IT WEREN'T ON SALE?
If not, I’m not saving money - I’m spending more money than I otherwise would. This is a key thing to remember about sales! You’re not saving 40% if it’s something you wouldn’t have bought, if you switch your mindset, you’re spending 60% more!
3. I GIVE MYSELF TIME.
I give myself as much time as possible to make a decision. I’m a big fan of the 48-hour rule, but some sales don’t give us that much time. Do the best you can.
4. I CHECK MY BUDGET.
Is this purchase in my budget? And if not, and I really want it, where can I reallocate my money or let go of other expenses in order to make it work?
5. I VISUALIZE.
It’s one week after I made the purchase. Am I using the thing? Am I happy? Do I regret it? It’s one month from now and I’m paying off my credit card bill. Am I still happy I made the purchase?
There you have it! If there are things you’ve been waiting to buy, make your list and come up with your plan.
Let me know which strategies you use and how it goes!
P.S. We also have this great “Should I Buy This” quiz? Answer the 5 quick questions and we’ll tell you.
P.P.S. Our latest Women-Owned Holiday Gift Guide is live! Thank YOU for all of your amazing nominations.
Get Affordable Financial Planning
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Want to learn more? Book a free intro call at facet.com/ashley.
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MONEY MOVE OF THE WEEK
GET A MONEY BUDDY (OR A GROUP OF MONEY BUDDIES).
When we tell someone we are going to do something, there’s a 65% chance we’re going to do it. That goes up to 95% if we set a check-in ✔️date. I like those odds!
And it makes sense! If you’ve ever had a gym buddy, you know that having one makes it more fun to work out and more likely that you’ll show up. The same goes for our money.
If you have some money goals for 2024, find a money buddy 🧑🏻🤝🧑🏾 to support you in those goals. There’s a much higher likelihood you’ll take the action you set out to!
If you don’t have any goals yet, that’s okay too. I’ll be covering that in a new ‘Money Move’ series next month. Complete the weekly action with your money buddy.
If you’d like some help finding your money buddy, we have you covered. Join our free Fiscal Femme Slack Community for an amazing group of feminist money buddies to hold you accountable, support you in your goals and answer your 💰 questions.
you Gotta see this
ANOTHER RANDOM BOOK GIVEAWAY.
I love sharing books after I’ve read them (or if I have multiple copies) so I’m giving away a bunch of books (in no particular order). 📚
If you’d like one, hit reply and share 1) the title and 2) your address. I’ll be giving them away on a first come, first serve basis.
Business / Career
Personal Finance
Other
your weekly money wins
Here are all the amazing money moves you made this week 👏👏👏
Erin G: Asked my boss for a raise! I’m not sure if/when a raise will come though, but my boss already advocated for me with HR.
AmyB: Mint Mobile finally gave me my $283 after I decided not to switch to them... it only took three months. And Citibank covered by car boot of $75.
Tiffany V: Made my very first sinking fund transfer and tracking future deposits using the Fiscal Femme tracker.
Jill O: Set up my sinking fund using your tracker & did a mid month finance review to see how we are on track or not to help guide the rest of the month.
Ashley: Found an account that I had "misplaced" - money win & fail in one!
Jessica T: I did meal prep for the week with mostly ingredients I already had at home
Laurie: Did not leave the house
Melissa: Meal prepped instead of going out to buy food.
Christy C: Checked my HYSA to see we made almost $3k in interest this year!