The barrage of Black Friday advertisements might have many tempted to whip out their wallets, but experts caution against unnecessary discretionary purchases this year amid inflation and the skyrocketing cost of living.

But reigning in spending is much easier said than done. Bruce Winder, a retail analyst with over two decades of experience, recommends consumers approach this year香蕉视频直播檚 season of super sales with two strategies in mind: preparation and research.

香蕉视频直播淢ost people see Black Friday as the kick off to the holiday spending season, and it香蕉视频直播檚 true that it can be a great way to save money with some of those intense bargains,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淏ut it香蕉视频直播檚 also important to know that not every deal is a good one.香蕉视频直播�

Many retailers prepare for the sale months in advance by bulking up manufacturing of selected sale items so they can be sold at heavily discounted prices, or marking down excess inventory. However, retailers香蕉视频直播� main source of Black Friday revenue rarely comes from their most dramatically discounted items, Winder said.

香蕉视频直播淲here they tend to make a lot of their money is on those middle-of-the-road items you pass by when you香蕉视频直播檙e drawn to a store or website by those other, more intense deals,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淪o, you might find yourself buying items that are 20 to 30 per cent off 香蕉视频直播� since you香蕉视频直播檙e in the store or online anyways 香蕉视频直播� giving you the feel of Black Friday without the aggressive savings.香蕉视频直播�

This is where consumers may find themselves lured into buying more than they intended or needed to, and where planning your purchases before heading out on Black Friday is especially important, said Kelly Ho, a Vancouver-based certified financial planner.

香蕉视频直播淏lack Friday can be a really great opportunity to save on things that we need, but when it comes to cash flow, that香蕉视频直播檚 really how it needs to be framed 香蕉视频直播� as a need, or even as a discretionary expense you can actually afford,香蕉视频直播� said Ho.

When it comes to making room for discretionary spending, Ho recommended Canadians start by setting concrete financial goals based on how they want the next few years of their life to look.

香蕉视频直播淎s a professional, I香蕉视频直播檓 not here to tell you to not buy this or not buy that 香蕉视频直播� what I care about is the bottom line,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淪o at the end of the day, it香蕉视频直播檚 really about asking yourself, 香蕉视频直播楧o you want this more, or do you want this more?香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈��

Winder also noted that researching potential purchases is crucial before going into the Black Friday sales season.

He warns some retailers might increase the price of an item a month or so before reducing it on Black Friday, making it appear as though they香蕉视频直播檝e significantly slashed the price, when the difference may be marginal in reality. They may also advertise sale items 香蕉视频直播� in particular, popular electronics like laptops and cellphones 香蕉视频直播� with prices comparable to better-quality products that have higher specs or more perks.

However, what Winder predicts millennials and gen Z will need to look out for the most this year are 香蕉视频直播渂uy now, pay later香蕉视频直播� promotions, where customers can make large purchases and pay them off in instalments over time.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 not a deceptive practice, but it香蕉视频直播檚 one of those things that as a shopper, you need to be careful of,香蕉视频直播� he said, 香蕉视频直播渂ecause you might forget that you香蕉视频直播檝e bought a lot of stuff, and suddenly, you get these surprise bills.香蕉视频直播�

For young Canadians in particular 香蕉视频直播� whose cash flow may be limited due to student loan repayments, high rental costs, and other expenses 香蕉视频直播� these additional payments can pose a serious threat to their financial goals, though they may seem like attractive offers initially.

Ho added that being aware of these kinds of marketing tactics, as well as others like free shipping tied to a minimum spending amount, is essential to reduce the likelihood of getting caught up in the Black Friday hype.

香蕉视频直播淭hese may be things that people are aware of as problematic generally, but when you香蕉视频直播檙e in the mindset of spending, it can be easier to be susceptible to them,香蕉视频直播� she added.

香蕉视频直播淪o doing your research and having a list of what you really want and need before shopping will help to keep things in check.香蕉视频直播�

And if shoppers are looking at Black Friday as a way of finding the perfect gifts for friends and family on a newly shoestring budget, said Winder, one of the most important things may be learning to re-adjust what we expect of ourselves and others this year.

香蕉视频直播淵ou know, people are shy about talking about what they can and can香蕉视频直播檛 afford,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淏ut it香蕉视频直播檚 a tough time, and it香蕉视频直播檚 OK to tell friends and family that you need to cut back a bit 香蕉视频直播� you just need to give yourself permission to do so.香蕉视频直播�

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