How to Get Amazing Savings (Up to 100 Percent Off) This Black Friday

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If you know me at all, you know I am huge on saving money as long as it doesn’t require too much work on my part. I don’t coupon or reuse plastic baggies, but I am big on negotiating for a lower price, shopping around for the best deal, and even going without some of life’s luxuries to save a buck.

Since I hate shopping and going to stores in general, I tend to do all my shopping online. For this reason, one of my friends recently turned me on to Ali Express, which is basically the Chinese version of Amazon….but a lot cheaper. Somehow, I ended up in a few Ali Express Facebook groups that remind me why I hate shopping so much.

I’m sure you’re wondering what this has to do with Black Friday, but I’ll get to that in a minute.

For now, I want you to picture a Facebook group where grubby brand snobs post pictures of knock-off designer wares and celebrate their purchases as if buying cheap crap was an accomplishment. Behold exhibits A, B, and C direct from Facebook:

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Exhibit C:

I kid you not – this Facebook page goes on and on. There are probably 20-50 similar posts per day, all with people posting about crap they bought and telling others how to do the same.

But, what does this have to do with Black Friday? Unfortunately a lot.

Fighting the Black Friday Mentality

These Facebook pages remind me so much of the Black Friday “shop at all costs” mentality. The “stuff” you buy on Black Friday may not be designer and some purchases may be gifts, but we all know people who rush out on Black Friday to buy junk just because it’s on sale.

That $19 coffee maker because well…uhhh…it was only $19. A new sweater you had to have because it was a “door buster.” That new vacuum cleaner you picked up because, well, it was 50 percent off!

At the end of the day, the low, low Black Friday prices entice you to buy things you didn’t even know you wanted before you saw it on “super sale.” And, if you go over budget or spend more than you can comfortably afford, well, you can always make monthly payments on your credit card for a while. While this sounds negative and all doomsday-ish, we all know that it happens all the time.

How to Save 100 Percent on Black Friday

That’s why I offer this radical suggestion to help you save up to 100 percent on Black Friday this year: Don’t go.

That’s right. Stay home in your cozy pajamas, lounge around, and read a good book. Do some yoga for heaven’s sake. Spend the day petting your dog or play board games with your kids. Bake a few pies, or curl up with a blanket and watch a few Hallmark movies or The Christmas Story. There are tons of ways to spend a relaxing day off that don’t require you to spend a dime.

Whatever you do, don’t rush into the crowds and bitter cold to chase sales on stuff you probably don’t even need. By not buying that door buster toaster or flat screen TV that’s half off, you will absolutely save 100 percent – and cut down on the clutter in your life.

As for me, I’ll be working all day Black Friday…just like I do every week day. I would much rather make money than spend it, and I would rather save my vacation days for time at the beach.

The bottom line: Most of us need Black Friday “deals” like we need a hole in the head, a case of herpes, or the meat sweats. So do yourself (and your wallet) a favor and just skip the entire thing, will you?