By: Dallin Rahlf 

Folks, that time is here again. A time in which consumerism is at full speed, and we all watch helplessly as we all begin to endlessly search for the perfect presents for our loved ones. It’s no simple task, finding something for every one in your life you feel deserves a nice little something come the holiday season. There’s always so much pressure! I don’t know about you, but I find it particularly hard to shop for the parents-in-law. Every time November comes around, I start to get the nervous sweats about finding something perfect for them. The even tougher part? Not getting decision paralysis with the millions of gifts available. It would be easy if there were, like, two options. But nope. We are cursed with the blessing of endless variety. 

If you already find yourself here, take a deep breath with me. Hold it in for a couple seconds. Exhale. Repeat. Good, very good. Feel better? Know that you’re going to kill it in the gift giving world this year, for your friend Dallin at the GetOutPass is here 4 u. I don’t mean to brag, but I am married to a woman who shops very well and I have some coworkers that seem to have this shopping thing down. This isn’t my wisdom I share with you today; it is theirs. And they’re smart. 

Kayla’s Thoughts 

Kayla has worked at the GetOutPass for about half a year now and, wow, you have never seen someone with more shoes than her. Maybe I’m bad at noticing shoes but I genuinely think I have yet to see her wear the same pair of shoes twice. She is on pace to own more shoes than any player in the NBA. Kayla is always scheming for her next pair of Nike Whatever’s. So, yeah, she knows a thing or two.

• Know what you want before you shop

It’s all about planning ahead and being smart with your actions. Here, Kayla shares that one of the best things you can do is to already know what you’re looking for before you head into the war zone of retail and online shopping. If you already have this plan, you won’t get sidetracked from other items that you likely don’t need. Have a plan. Make it. Follow it. Success. 

• Find promo codes to use before purchase

A promo code on top of a Black Friday deal? Surely this cannot exist… but it does! Some products and services have brand ambassadors and/or influencers that’ll have great deals on their products. You may be able to double dip in the savings with a promo code as well as the Black Friday pricing! It never hurts to do a tiny bit of research online. 

• Shop small to promote small businesses 

We love small businesses. I’m pretty sure we still are one. Small businesses are the heart of America. You have your ma and pa shops that makes the cutest antiques and are created, by hand, with love. You have people who believe in their product and know it’ll be great and have a humble shop or website to promote their business. Supporting small businesses is great for you, great for them, great for consumerism, and great for your community. I would rather have something hand made with TLC than something mass produced.

Dallin’s Thoughts 

I may not be much of a shopper myself, but don’t you for one second think that I am totally worthless in these shopping posts. I’ve been known to wow someone now and then with my shallow, rich knowledge of anything shopping related. My tips may not be as fun as the others, but, please, do heed my counsel. 

• Create a budget 

“But Dallin, creating a budget is for nerds! Chumps!” I do not find it nerdy nor chumpy to be careful with the money you have fought so hard to earn and save for this holiday season. Putting a budget together doesn’t mean you need to go super hard into an excel sheet. It can be as simple as setting rules for the holiday season. “This holiday season, I can spend $50 on gifts to everyone else and $100 on myself”. “This season, everyone is under $20.” Things like this can help you be creative as well. Some of my favorite gifts I’ve given and received have been cheaper, DIY ish items that came from the heart. 

If you do want to go above with the budgeting, check out some of the apps and services that help with that. I’m sure there’s some free ones, and I’ve seen a dozen ads for True Bill over the last two months. I personally use an app called YNAB and it’s great. It costs money to get, but the way it helps you budget and save is awesome. 

• Learn to separate between needs and wants 

One of the best things you can do for your wallet is to truly consider every single item you are about to buy. I can get a little excited when it comes to new toys and things to have. I legit said this to myself the other day, “I already have an iPad, why not get the newest iPad when mine from a year ago is totally fine??” We are but simple people. We like new things. New things are fun. But new things can tend to be expensive, and if not checked, the hunt for new things will consume us into chaos. 

SO, with that being said, really learn what you need vs. what you want. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with splurging on yourself now and then. You work hard. You deserve it! But do be careful not to buy something that you’ll regret a couple days after you get it because you realize that you didn’t truly need it. There may have been something else that needed attention and improving that you didn’t get because you just NEEDED a TV that’s two inches larger than the one you have now. Be smart, sleep on it, and you’ll be fine. 

Stick around for more Black Friday tips and tricks for this 2021 season!