Avoid The Black Friday Debt Trap
At present, I have no doubt that you are being bombarded with BLACK FRIDAY deals. If you have been saving up for a specific item and you have the cash available, then I hope you can find a real bargain. But please be careful!
Often, we buy things we don’t need, with money we don’t have, to impress people we don’t even like!
Please don’t go on a spending spree if you cannot afford it. Don’t get suckered into a deal that will leave you cash-strapped and trapped in debt.
It is easy to overspend. I want to encourage you to avoid taking on more debt. Think twice before you charge that BLACK FRIDAY deal to your credit card! If you cannot afford it now, don’t buy it!
So many people do not show maturity with their money management.
Dave Ramsey suggests that we should “Act our wage!”
With BLACK FRIDAY approaching rapidly, I want to share a few practical steps with you to help you AVOID THE DEBT TRAP…
Don’t Try to “Keep Up With The Joneses”
You may feel PEER PRESSURE to have what your friends have.
“I have to have it too!”
“If I get that new (fill in the blanks), then I will be happy!”
Don’t fall for the lie!
The truth is that often when you end up buying that “latest thing”, it is outdated by the start of the next month anyway!
Even that brand-new car does not feel that new by the time you need to make the first repayment!
“You must not covet your neighbor’s house.” (Exodus 20:17)
Do you realize how crazy it is to try and keep up with the Joneses?
Many people buy things they don’t need, with money they don’t have, just to impress people that they don’t even like!
Trying to keep up with the Joneses will leave you debt-ridden and empty.
Before you buy that “thing” on credit, which creates debt, ask yourself: “Is it worth it?”
If you want or need that item, rather save up for it!
Instant Gratification!
You see that advert for that new awesome gadget. You can’t wait! So, you convince yourself that you HAVE TO HAVE IT NOW! Not next year, but now!
You buy that item on credit, and, wow, it looks good, and it feels so good NOW!
But a few days pass, and the newness wears off. Now, all you have left is a nice debt and a monthly repayment schedule that messes up your finances.
Can I let you in on a little secret? – You are allowed to save up for things!
The advert on TV tells you that you can buy that car for only R4999 p.m. and that you only need to make the first payment in 3 months! Many think they have got the deal of the century, only to have to face the harsh reality of repaying the debt installment over the next 5 years! And then, after 5 years, you have another debt. They call it a residual payment. WHAT A DEAL!
Many buy now and choose to pay it off later. This makes you feel good NOW but not so good over the next year because the extra debt repayment leads to stress on your cash flow.
A little short-term “feel good” GAIN often leads to a lot of long-term PAIN!
In Luke 14:28-30, Jesus said… “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”
Don’t just buy things on the spur of the moment. Count the cost!
Ask yourself:
Do I really need it?
Can it wait?
Can I afford it?
How long will it take me to save up for this?
I promise that you will appreciate that item more and won’t face unnecessary debt stress if you:
Carefully consider spending first and making wise decisions instead of the spur-of-the-moment decision that can leave you bankrupt. You don’t have to live in debt.
Like the old Queen song “I WANT IT ALL, I WANT IT ALL, I WANT IT ALL, AND I WANT IT NOW!” – I want to warn you: Don’t fall for the “feel good now” lie.
In the old days, people used a “lay-buy” system. You saved up first. Why not try this approach? It will save you a lot of heartache!
When you continue to buy things regularly on credit, it eventually will catch up with you.
The vicious buying on the credit cycle leads to more and more debt. This debt can easily spiral out of all control and seriously mess up your cash flow while causing mounting stress and heartache.
So, count the cost.
Think twice before you buy it! If you really want it or need it, then put a plan in place and save up for it!
Retail Therapy
You have a bad day or a bad year! So, to feel better, you decide to treat yourself on the spur of the moment without having the cash to do so!
You may choose to take a holiday when you are feeling stressed and book it on your credit card, or you just go out to spoil yourself.
“Just charge it!”
You may end up buying new shoes even though you don’t need them. (Often, you use something once, and it gets left in the cupboard to gather dust.)
Many call this “retail therapy.”
Retail therapy may give you some instant gratification and temporary relief, but a mountain of debt tomorrow will not do much for your future stress levels.
“The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.” (Proverbs 14:16)
Rather, build room in your monthly budget to fund your entertainment and other needs.
You can also save some of your hard-earned money to fund your dreams.
Related Post: How to Achieve Your God-Ordained Financial Dreams!
“Money Just Burns a Hole in My Pocket!”
Just like a person can be addicted to drugs, some people get addicted to the emotional high of spending.
The old saying “money burns a hole in his pocket” seems to be true in people who are addicted to spending.
If your spending is out of control, you need to get help. Overspending leads to large amounts of debt.
“The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.” (Proverbs 21:10)
So, get rid of the bad habits and start forming some good ones.
Why not start investing some of your hard-earned money instead of foolishly spending your money on junk?
You Can Avoid the Debt Trap!
Why don’t you consider setting up a budget? You can even start tracking your spending!
Having a budget will help you know what you can afford and, more importantly, what you can’t.
So, set up a strategy to manage your money well, and don’t forget to set some funds aside for your entertainment and shopping too!
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)
By budgeting effectively, you can create a good, balanced approach to your money management.
Why not set some money aside for your entertainment and to have some fun?
But make sure that you live within your means and include saving and investing in your budget so that you can build towards financial freedom.
It is vital that you spend less than you earn.
Only spend money you can afford to spend!
By forming good money habits, you can greatly reduce your “stress levels” and increase your “joy levels.”
Before You Spend On The Latest Black Friday Deal, Ask Yourself…
Is it worth it?
Do I really need it?
Can it wait?
Can I afford it?
I Want to Encourage You to…
Be content…
“Stay away from the love of money, be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Have self-control…
“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” (Proverbs 25:28)
You can gain control over your money. If you don’t, it will control you.
Have a vision…
“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)
Commit your plans to God…
“Commit your work to the Lord and then your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3)
Trust in God…
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5)
And remember, there is more to life than just the here and now…
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Where Do You Stand With God?
Black Friday is just around the corner.
BUT…
The real Black Friday happened 2000 years ago.
Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood to forgive our sins. He made a way for us to have a personal relationship with God.
Do you know Him?
If you want to start or restart your walk with God, click here to pray a simple prayer we have for you.
Let Us Pray…
Heavenly Father, please help me to manage my money well and to make wise choices. Help me to be heavenly-minded and not to get stuck in the debt trap. Please deliver me and set me free. I look to you as my Lord and Savior, and I put my life in your hands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
So let us avoid the debt trap this BLACK FRIDAY.
Remember the best things in life are free.
Put your trust in God.
May you be greatly blessed and highly favored.
