Before you shop Black Friday... read this

Welcome back to another edition of "Rolling in Dough" Newsletter, where we serve up the simplest ways to save more, spend less, and build wealth with regular insights, behavioral science hacks, and tiny tips to do today. I hope to make your financial journey a little fun, simple, and totally doable, where ever you are on your wealth journey.

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💸 #1: The Anchor Price Trap

You know how you see something listed as “WAS $299, NOW $99!!” and your brain goes, oh wow, that’s a steal?

That’s anchoring, the first number you see becomes the baseline in your mind.

Even if that “original price” is made up, inflated, or something the product hasn’t cost in years. It makes you think you’re getting a deal (even if you’re not), which our brains love.

How to dodge it:

• Ignore the “WAS” price completely.

• Check what the item normally costs the other 11 months of the year.

• If the real average price isn’t lower than today’s? That’s not a deal.

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 💸 #2: Fake Scarcity

“Only 6 left!”
“In 9 carts!”
“Sale ends in 59:14!”

Some signals are real… most are just psychological strategies to get you to spend.

Brands use scarcity because your brain hates missing out (FOMO is a real psychological thing). When something feels limited, you value it more, even if it’s not actually rare.

How to dodge it:

• Ask yourself: If this wasn’t “running out,” would I still want it?

• Real scarcity (may be worth it) = tickets, travel, highly in-demand tech.

• Fake scarcity (usually not worth it) = towels, sweaters, headphones, random kitchen appliances.

💸 #3: The Bundles Illusion

Black Friday is bundle season.
Buy 1 get 2 free. Get the whole set. Add the protection plan. Add the matching thing.

Bundles feel like value because your brain loves completeness.
But if you didn’t need 5 things yesterday… you don’t need 5 things today.

How to dodge it:

• Break the bundle. Price out what you actually want.

• If you wouldn’t buy the extra pieces alone, they’re clutter, not value.

💸 #4: The DoorBuster Distraction

Doorbusters are meant to get you inside the store, NOT to save you money.

It’s the same idea as a nightclub line. A few hyped-up items pull in the crowd… then everything else is full price and your brain is already in “buy mode.”

How to dodge it:

• If something is that cheap, it’s usually low quality or low quantity.

• Don’t let one great deal justify six so-so ones. Do you really need everything in your cart?

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💸 #5: The Countdown Clock

“They’re closing the vault in 2 hours!!!”

Countdown timers push your brain into urgency mode, making thoughtful decisions feel “wrong” and fast decisions feel “right.”

But urgency is a brain trick, backed by psychology.

How to dodge it:

• Step away for 10 minutes.

• If the excitement fades, so does the need.

💸 #6: The Price Drop High

Your brain literally hits you with dopamine when you see a deal. It’s the same chemical behind a like, a win, or a compliment.

That doesn’t mean it’s a good financial move, it just feels good in the moment.

How to dodge it:

• Check your wishlist. Deals only count if the item was already on the list.

• No wishlist? Then it’s an impulse buy pretending to be helpful.

💸 #7: The Free Shipping Trap

You know when the site says:
“You’re only $14 away from free shipping!”
…so you grab a random candle or charger to “unlock” it?

That’s by design. You’re spending extra to “save.”

How to dodge it:

• Compare shipping cost vs. extra item cost.

• Most of the time, paying the shipping is cheaper.

💸 #8: The Buy Now, Pay Later Slide

BNPL feels painless. Four small payments, no problem, right?

Except your brain tracks full prices but forgets future payments.
Next month hits, and so do four Klarna charges you forgot you had.

How to dodge it:

• If you can’t buy it in full today, it’s not a deal, it’s debt in four installments.

☑️ BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING CHECKLIST

Before You Shop:

• Make a wishlist (3–5 items max).

• Set a spending limit.

• Search the price history.

While You Shop:

• Ignore the “original price.”

• Watch for scarcity signals.

• Calculate the real value of bundles.

• Step away before clicking “buy.”

After You Shop:

• Review your orders.

• Return what you don’t love within 24-48 hours.

• Celebrate actually staying on budget. (Huge win.)

👋  TO GO BITES: The Wrap Up

Black Friday is engineered. Stores sole goal is to make money (keeping their books in the black).

Brands use psychology to get you excited, rushed, and convinced you’re saving more than you actually are.

But when you know the playbook, you spend differently.
You buy what you genuinely want.
You skip what’s trying too hard.
And you end the year with cash left for the things you care about, not random items collecting dust.

Spend intentionally this season. Happy Holidays!

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