Cyber Monday

In this episode, Eric explores strategies to navigate Cyber Monday without overspending or derailing your financial goals. Cyber Monday, paired with Black Friday, creates a shopping frenzy, making it easy to blow through budgets. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Avoid Unnecessary Purchases: You don't have to participate in Cyber Monday. Spending on items you wouldn’t normally buy isn’t saving, even if they’re discounted.
2. Set a Budget and Prioritize: Create a holiday spending plan and a prioritized wish list to avoid impulsive purchases. Stick to your budget by cutting items that exceed your spending limit.
3. Shop Around: Use tools like Google Shopping, Wirecutter, and "camelcamelcamel" to compare prices and verify discounts. Beware of misleading deals where prices are temporarily raised before Cyber Monday.
4. Bundle Deals and Cash-Back Offers: Look for product bundles or cash-back rewards to maximize value. Use tools like Rakuten, Honey, or credit card portals to stack discounts and cashback.
5. Be Strategic with Credit Cards: Use cashback or rewards credit cards only if you can pay off the balance in full to avoid interest.
6. Sign Up for Alerts: Subscribe to store newsletters or notifications temporarily for early deals, but don’t hesitate to unsubscribe later.
7. Avoid Debt: Don’t go into debt for non-essential purchases. Plan ahead and save throughout the year for the holidays to eliminate financial stress.