How to Avoid Thanksgiving and Black Friday Debt

Thanksgiving week is full of warmth, family, food — and massive shopping temptations. Between last-minute grocery trips, holiday travel, Black Friday deals, and Cyber Monday sales, it’s one of the easiest times of the year to overspend.

The problem? Holiday debt can follow you into the new year, adding stress and slowing down your financial goals.

Here’s how to enjoy Thanksgiving and score great deals without digging yourself into debt.

1. Set a Clear Spending Limit — And Stick to It

Before shopping, cooking, or planning, decide:

• How much you’ll spend on food

• How much you’ll spend on travel

• How much you’ll spend on gifts

• How much you’ll spend on Black Friday

Having separate mini-budgets prevents emotional or impulse spending.

Bonus tip: Put these categories inside the OYF app and track in real time.

2. Beware of Emotional Holiday Spending

This week creates the perfect storm for overspending:

• Family pressure

• Social comparison

• “Limited-time” shopping deals

• Holiday guilt

If you’re feeling emotional, pause before clicking “checkout.”

Ask yourself:
Do I actually need this — or am I reacting to the holiday energy?

3. Avoid Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Traps

BNPL services like Afterpay, Klarna, and Affirm look harmless — but they can:

• Make you overspend

• Spread payments into months of financial stress

• Charge hidden fees

• Disrupt your January budget

If you didn’t plan for it in your budget, avoid financing your holiday shopping.

4. Stick to a Thanksgiving Shopping List

Make a list for:

• Groceries

• Decorations

• Travel supplies

• Gifts

• Clothing

• Electronics

And don’t add extras.

Stores design Black Friday layouts to trigger impulse purchases — your shopping list protects you.

5. Compare Prices Before Buying Anything

Before purchasing:

• Check multiple retailers

• Use price-tracking tools

• Look for coupons and cashback apps

• Avoid “fake discounts”

Many Black Friday deals aren’t actually deals — they’re marked up and then marked down to appear attractive.

6. Use Cash or Debit Instead of Credit Cards

Credit cards make overspending too easy.
Using cash or debit ensures you only spend what you actually have.

If you use credit for rewards, track every purchase in your budget to avoid surprises.

7. Don’t Shop Out of FOMO

Fear of missing out leads to bad financial decisions.

If you see a deal and think:

• “What if the price never drops again?”

• “Everyone else is buying this!”

• “I better buy it now just in case…”

That’s FOMO — not financial strategy.

A deal is only good if it fits your budget and your needs.

8. Start Planning for Christmas Early

Thanksgiving week is the unofficial kickoff to holiday spending.
Create your December budget now:

• Gifts

• Travel

• Food

• Decorations

• Events

Planning early prevents “holiday debt hangover.”

Final Thought

Thanksgiving and Black Friday can be joyful without becoming financial pitfalls. With a little planning, discipline, and awareness, you can enjoy the season, find great deals, and start the holidays without debt.

Want help sticking to your budget this holiday season?

  ✅ Download the OYF App and control every dollar with confidence.