There is no biblical commandment directing us to $PEND-$PEND-$PEND to honor the birth of sweet baby Jesus. However, year after year, the season has become less religious and more commercial.
This episode I share tips that will benefit your wallet and your community.
So what should we do in this season of spending? For starters, I advise us all to be aware of the clever campaigns retailers use to incite our excitement to spend. We should be sober and buy what we need, when we need it. There is no sudden urgency wherein a large flat screen tv is needed. The jewelry, apparel, appliances now set at ‘markedly reduced’ prices can wait.
Advertisers know the perfect strategies to persuade spending. Here are my five tips for to help you this season:
1. Don’t!----Just don’t spend. Save your money. Invest your money. Refrain from making the rich even richer.
2. Buy Black!----If you like the tradition of holiday shopping, buy black. Identify black business with which you can spend. Buy black in brick and mortar stores or shop black online. Just buy black.
3. Buy Local!----Shop in YOUR neighborhood. These are the businesses investing in your community. Support them. It is hard for many of our mom and pop shops, startups, independent owners and small businesses to compete with the big box stores and retail chains. But they are right in your community sharing your interests in wanting your community to thrive.
4. Buy From People You Know!----Check your network. There are people within your network of friends and family with whom you can shop this holiday season. There are artisans, designers, small business owners, etc. If you don’t know the owners of the stores in your local community, introduce yourself to them. Expand your network and theirs. There is something special and unique in shopping from someone with whom you have a relationship. But not only that-it helps create a unique story with your gift-giving when you know your seller.
5. Buy Small!----Resist the push advertisers give us to spend, spend, spend. Buy what you need. Know in advance what you want or need and only buy that. Make a list or put a note in your smart phone. There is no reasonable need to trample, snatch, push and fight over retail items. Be responsible. You work hard for your money. Keep as much of it as you can.
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