Soft Life, Smart Money: Black Friday Edition

Hey girlfriend!

As Thanksgiving approaches, we can look forward to good company, good food, and some good deals.

Stepping into adulthood came with new traditions, like every year some of my besties and I do a gift exchange. But adulthood also brought the internal crisis of constantly budgeting. Throughout the years I’ve become way more conscious about finding ways to make my money go further. So this year, I decided to take full advantage of the Black Friday sales to get more bang for my buck.

If you’re a fellow minimalist, you might have reached a point where you’re not experimenting much anymore. Personally, I’ve committed to my holy-grail hair and skincare brands, which means I already have a clear idea of what I’ll need going into the new year. Signing up for a brand’s communication might be annoying on the front end; your phones buzzes for promotional purposes, instead of a friend or family member. But when the holidays come around, I love getting first access to their deals and products. Some staple brands I stocked up on include:

• Miche

• Nécessaire

• Merit

Black Friday is also my prime time for early gift-shopping season. It’s not the last-minute chaos of Christmas shopping yet, and the prices are still on point. And while yes, we are still standing firm against another consumerist Christmas, we all have a few people in our lives who are worth the exception of buying a few gifts. If you’re shopping for a loved one (or yourself, no judgment!), here are a few spots with Black Friday deals worth checking out:

• Bath & Body Works

• Skims

• Ulta

• Amazon

If your Instagram algorithm is anything like mine, you’ve probably been seeing a lot of “chic gift ideas for friends” reels. Of course, your girl had to add her 2¢, so here are a few cute, aesthetic, thoughtful items that won’t break the bank, recommended by yours truly:

• A discreet lighter or a unique lighter cover

• The Five Minute Journal

• L’Occitane Shower Oil

• Monogrammed vanity bag

Black Friday doesn’t have to be chaotic, it can be intentional, cute, and budget-friendly.

xx