6 Weeks to Black Friday: Your Ultimate Prep Plan Part 1

Last week we talked about maximizing your savings during big sales events like Prime Day. This week, we're extending that strategy because the clock is ticking! We're now just six short weeks until Black Friday and only ten weeks until Christmas. That time will vanish faster than a tray of cookies at a holiday party.

It's time to set yourself up for success. By dedicating a few hours now, you can save a significant amount of money and, more importantly, buy yourself back some much-needed sanity during the holiday rush.

The Great Household Inventory

The number one thing you can do right now is take a household inventory. This isn't just a list; it's your blueprint for smart, annual shopping.

Start with your frequently used goods:

• Cleaning Products: Disinfectants, multi-surface sprays, specialty cleaners.

• Soaps & Detergents: Laundry detergent, dish soap, hand soap refills, dishwasher pods.

• Personal Care Staples: Toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, razor blades.

Go through your cabinets and storage areas. Count what you have, note what you’ve used recently, and estimate how much you’ll need for the entire next year.

The Strategy: My goal is to bulk purchase anything that is on sale on Black Friday to last me for 12 months. With years of practice, my estimates are quite accurate. If this is your first time, take an educated guess, buy enough to last for at least six months, and then reassess your usage quarterly. Buying in bulk on sale is the most effective way to lower your annual spend on necessities.

Audit Your Hidden Cash: The Gift Card Hunt

We all have them: those unused gift cards shoved in a drawer or tucked into a wallet. They are essentially free money that is waiting to be used!

This week, you need to:

1. Gather Them All: Round up every unused gift card, voucher, and store credit you can find.

2. Check the Fine Print: Verify the expiration dates and check the remaining balances.

3. Make a Plan: Create a firm plan to use each one before the end of the year. Can a card for a department store be used to buy a holiday gift? Can a restaurant card be used for a much-needed date night next week? Get them into your budget and calendar now.

Using these funds is a painless way to reduce your out-of-pocket holiday spending.

The Payoff: Sanity and Savings

This planning—the inventory and the gift card audit—serves two primary functions:

1. It Protects Your Wallet: By buying essentials in bulk on sale, you guarantee the lowest possible price per unit and avoid impulse buys throughout the year.

2. It Preserves Your Sanity: You remove all the stress of stocking the house during the already chaotic holiday season. Imagine the relief of walking past the crowded cleaning aisles in December because your basement shelf is already stocked for 2026!

Don't wait for the rush. Take action this week, and you’ll glide through the holidays instead of stressing over them.

What's the first cabinet you're going to inventory this week?