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Essential Question:
How can consumers make informed decisions about Black Friday deals to avoid being misled by marketing strategies and ensure they get genuine value for their money?
What does the message of this sign mean to you?
What Drives Your Shopping Choices?
Imagine you see an ad for a new sweater online that’s on sale. You like it, but it’s not something you really need. How do you feel about buying it right then?
What Drives Your Shopping Choices?
You’re scrolling through social media and see a music video with a celebrity wearing a jacket you like. You immediately start looking for it online. Do you buy it right away, or do you stop to think if you really want or need it?
What Drives Your Shopping Choices?
You’re at the store, and you come across an item you weren’t planning to buy. It’s a “great deal,” but you’re already on a budget. How do you decide whether to buy it or not?
What Drives Your Shopping Choices?
You’ve been feeling stressed lately, and you walk past a store with a “big sale” sign. You go in and start shopping. How do you feel while you’re shopping? Does it feel like a way to cope with your emotions, or are you just casually browsing?
What Drives Your Shopping Choices?
You’ve got a birthday coming up, and you’re looking for a gift for a friend. While shopping, you see something you really like for yourself. Do you end up buying it without thinking about your budget or the fact that you weren’t planning to spend on yourself?
"Impulse Buying” vs. “Compulsive Shopping”:
Know the Difference…
Impulse buying happens when you make unplanned purchases, often triggered by external factors like a sale, an ad, or simply seeing an item you want.
Compulsive shopping, on the other hand, is a habitual behavior driven by internal emotions, such as stress or sadness, as a way to self-soothe. It often leads to overspending, debt, and purchasing items that may never be used.
"Impulse Buying” vs. “Compulsive Shopping”:
Know the Difference
While impulse buying is situational and occasional, compulsive shopping is ongoing and can have serious financial and personal consequences. (Which is pictured here?)
"Impulse Buying” vs. “Compulsive Shopping”:
Know the Difference
While impulse buying is situational and occasional, compulsive shopping is ongoing and can have serious financial and personal consequences. (Which is pictured here?)
5 ways to limit impulse buying:
1: Stick to a list
A shopping list isn’t just a reminder—it’s a strategy to stay focused and avoid impulsive purchases. If it’s not on the list today, you can reassess tomorrow.
5 ways to limit impulse buying:
2: "Give Yourself a Pause"
Delay your purchase by walking around or waiting until tomorrow. A short pause often cools the urge to buy impulsively.
5 ways to limit impulse buying:
3: "Take the Convenience Out of Online Shopping"
Removing stored payment information and shopping apps from your phone makes impulsive clicks harder and encourages mindful buying.
5 ways to limit impulse buying:
4: "Reflect on Why You Shop"
Identify emotional and situational triggers for overspending, such as late-night scrolling or stress, and set limits to manage them effectively.
5 ways to limit impulse buying:
5: "Replace Emotional Shopping with “Free” Activities"
Swap emotional shopping with uplifting, no-cost activities like calling a friend, enjoying a hobby, or volunteering.
Key Findings: Black Friday Research
Key Findings: Black Friday Research
92% of deals were the same price or cheaper at other times.
14 deals had fake "was" prices.
60% of deals rarely used the higher "was" price.
100% of deals were never exclusive to Black Friday.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Read the article: I’ve had my fill of Black Friday bargains and then answer the questions on your student handout.
INSTRUCTIONS: Read the article: I’ve had my fill of Black Friday bargains and then answer the questions below.
(Refer to Student Handout)
2. What are some potential drawbacks of participating in Black Friday sales, according to the article?
3. Why might some consumers feel fatigued or skeptical about Black Friday/Holiday deals?
4. What strategies do retailers use to maintain profit margins while offering discounts?
5. How do spending patterns differ between men and women during Black Friday, and what drives these differences?
6. What did the study by consumer group Which? reveal about the validity of Black Friday discounts?
7. What lessons can consumers learn from the targeted promotions and marketing tactics described in the article?
From Passive to Active:
Mastering Smart Shopping Habits
As you watch the video, consider: What specific habits or strategies can help you transition from being a passive shopper to an active shopper, and why are these important for saving money?
8. What specific habits or strategies can help you transition from being a passive shopper to an active shopper, and why are these important for saving money?
View the short video “How To Beat Inflation By Being An Active Shopper When Grocery Shopping” and answer the following:
Part 3. Time to Practice:
Pause Before You Purchase
Step 1) Consider a current need or want…identify something you are “in the market” for…USE THE HANDOUT (See Part 3).
Step 2) Does this purchase make sense?
Access the DIMS SCORE® Calculator: Visit the tool at https://giftingsense.org/gift-survey/
Step 3) Put your purchase to the test! Calculate your DIMS SCORE® (free tool)
Answer the Questions: Work through the questions on the survey honestly. Pay attention to the details about the item’s price, taxes, shipping, expected usage, and additional costs like transportation if it’s an experience.
Step 4) Review the DIMS SCORE®
Calculations (free tool)
Practice Patient Spending
Crowd-Source the Purchase? Perhaps you have family or friends who will support your thoughtfully considered purchase?!
The DIMS SCORE® calculator generates a shareable summary of the thoughtful analysis children perform when evaluating a wish-list item.
This summary can be shared with family members, helping them contribute to a meaningful gift instead of smaller, less practical ones.
9. How did the Cost-Per-Use calculation influence your perception of the value of the purchase? Did it make you reconsider how often you would actually use the item or experience?
10. What additional costs (e.g., taxes, shipping, transportation) surprised you, and how did they impact the Total Cost calculation?
11. Reflect on your DIMS SCORE®: Do you feel it accurately represents whether the purchase makes sense for you? Why or why not?
12. How does the practice of using the DIMS SCORE® tool help in developing habits of slow purchasing and active shopping?
13. How can using the DIMS SCORE® calculator, or thoughtfully evaluating a purchase, help you avoid impulsive or compulsive shopping behaviors and make more intentional spending decisions?
14. Considering the Financial Times article about Black Friday pricing illusions, how does the DIMS SCORE® tool help you critically evaluate deals and avoid being misled by marketing strategies?