The season of giving has officially begun. Many of us have had our Thanksgiving turkey. Some of us have waited in lines at 4:00 am on Black Friday. Some us have sat in front of our computers and gotten little work done on Cyber Monday. All of this in an effort to find the perfect holiday gifts at low prices (which is especially important if you’re working on debt management). Since you’re finding all these great deals for your loved ones, shouldn’t you pick up some items for yourself? Maybe, and maybe not.
ACCC knows self-gifting is fun – but you must plan accordingly.
Pros and Cons of shopping for yourself at holiday sales (Self-Gifting)
Pros of self-gifting
- Save Money: If you find an item or two that you had planned on purchasing anyway, then why not take advantage of a good sale price. Depending on the item, this may be the best price you can get.
- Fulfill Needs: It’s always great to save money on something that you truly need. We’re not talking about the latest gadget that you want to “self-gift” this holiday season. We’re talking about tires for your car, a computer or tools for your work, replacing broken furniture, etc.
- Seasonal Savings: Shopping off-season is a great way to save money. You can typically find deals on warm-weather items like grills, outdoor furniture, and summer clothing in the winter months.
Cons of self-gifting
- Debt: There may be great deals out there, but few deals are worth busting your budget and digging yourself into debt. If you can’t afford it right now, then you probably shouldn’t buy it regardless of the deal.
- Fewer Gifts For You: People are presumably going to be buying you some gifts this holiday season. Why not just let them give you things you want.
- Overspending: It’s easy to get caught up in the hectic atmosphere of holiday sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Don’t use these events as excuses to spend. Make sure you buy what you had planned for and don’t overspend.
- Bad Timing: Do you need the item right now? If not, then wait. While holiday sales usually offer huge discounts, prices on most items will drop over time anyway. So, wait to make a purchase that you don’t need right away. It will probably get even less expensive after a short while.
If you’re trying to decide on a purchase for yourself this holiday season, weigh these pros and cons. Try not to get caught up in the hype of holiday sales like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the other sales that pop up. Think about your budget in the long run, and you just might make it through the holidays with some money in your pocket.
You’re not alone in paying off debt – ACCC is here to help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
