Black Friday Tips for the Conscious Consumer
Food for thought before you dive into Black Friday shopping.
As we all know, Black Friday is designed to encourage us to over-consume. There are amazing deals and you can get products for an absolute steal, but what about the environmental impact? Not to mention the impact on your wallet - because as the saying goes: you can’t afford to “save” so much money.
With the low prices on Black Friday, many of us are swayed to buy products we may have otherwise gone without. And with that, we may spend money on items that are unnecessary, cheap, unsustainable, and maybe even unwanted. More people are becoming aware of this and starting to boycott Black Friday and cyber Monday because of the waste it creates. But is that all we can do?
Consumer habits are changing, but we can lead the charge toward sustainability. That’s why we’ve compiled this list to help you be mindful this sale season.
1. Shop Local
As a local business, we know how much it means when someone decides to support us instead of a big box store. Amanda McCarty from Clotheshorse, firmly believes “you should never, ever give your money to assholes!” That simply means that your money should go to brands who are transparent, with good practices, and are ethical.
If you’re looking to purchase an item, consider shopping local instead of supporting a big corporation. This way you help grow your community, reduce potential emissions from shipping, and your money isn’t going to “assholes”.
2. Shop with Purpose
Make sure you’re shopping with intent. What does that mean? Well, instead of aimlessly scrolling online or walking the mall on Black Friday, try to plan ahead. Do you really need a new vacuum cleaner? Are you looking for a new piece of furniture? Is your favourite pair of shoes worn beyond repair?
Take stock of what you have and what you need. By doing this you can avoid bringing home any unnecessary items and spending extra money in the guise of “savings”.
3. Be Mindful of Purchases
Sometimes we’re taking advantage of the sales for a truly necessary item; the deals are too good to resist; or an item really catches your attention. And that’s okay! But before you buy, make sure you take a couple things into consideration:
Is it something you really need and will use?
Is it quality and will it last?
Do the company’s practices align with your values?
Is there a local alternative you could consider?
There’s nothing wrong with buying something you will use. But it’s better for the planet and your budget to be mindful that we aren’t just getting swept up in the moment.
4. Buy Nothing
Yes, it’s okay (and even encouraged) to just buy nothing at all! It’s easy to get swept up in the buzz surrounding Black Friday. The ads start running weeks before, the companies posting online, emails in your inbox, and chatting with people about the amazing deals. But it’s always an option to simply not shop. It may feel weird at first but we promise, you’ll enjoy having less to clear out each Spring.
These shopping tips are great for Black Friday – but they’re also great year-round! Next time you’re shopping around online or in stores, keep these four tips top of mind.
There are many ways to shop more sustainably – we encourage you to find the sustainable solution that works for you!