5 Things I'm NOT Buying for Black Friday/ Christmas

[@Mamame4]

Great video! I had an argument with my family for years about replacing our TV because what we had was perfectly good and there was no need to buy a new one. We did finally replace it when we had to get a new DVD player and the old TV couldn't accept it and at that point it was starting to show signs of failing (issues with the picture) so I was OK with replacing it but if it still works fine? We are sticking with what we have. I DO, however, make a savings account with that name on it (New TV Fund, for example) so that we can save up for the time that we will finally have to replace it and then I have the cash all ready!

[@FreckleFinance]

My husband keeps talking about wanting to get a bigger TV. We have a toddler and we don't watch TV around him and we already have a spare TV we never use. I'm like NO MORE TVs!! LOL

[@Crystalthewolf1000]

I bought “myself” a tv a few months before moving, with the intention of giving it to my grandfather to force him to get a proper working tv because his 40 year old tv “worked just fine” (it didn’t).

[@sarapohl742]

@@FreckleFinance I swear it is a guy thing. I joke it is the grown man equivalent of jingly keys.

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

I LOVE your Christmas cash envelope gifts for you and your family! What a great idea! I like that you mentioned the griddle since I mentioned baking sheets haha can't wait to see what you got yourself for Christmas ;)

[@emilyviehmann5739]

“Clutter passing” is now my new favorite phrase

[@riapalmer3557]

You are glowing, looking fab and great content as always xxx

[@sandrafromscotland]

Hi Sarah. Thanks for highlighting "Where am I going to put it?" Such a good tool when deciding if you really need something. I agree, a bargain is only a bargain if you need it.

[@ouvickie]

I had to laugh at your crockpot story. The one I have is from the early 80s - I think my Mom gave it to us as a Christmas gift. It still works great! The original lid broke, but I have a glass lid that fits one of my pyrex bowls and it fits my crockpot too! We are so on the same track on the stuff you've mentioned. I downsized my tree - the smaller one is great, it's a 4 ft and so much easier to put together (2 pieces) and already has the lights on it (bought used at the GW store). I have ornaments that I've had for years - gift ornaments, ones my daughter made in school, ones that belonged to my parents, etc. I replaced my topper and I think I bought it at the GW store, too. People donate a lot of good Christmas decor to GW. I don't buy junk for my coworkers either. We all have families we buy for, we don't need to waste money buying clutter. This year I concentrated on things my grandkids had on their list - I usually buy them 3 things each. My hubby needed new flannel PJs and I found those on sale last week. I got a very cool looking OU t-shirt, when I donated blood a few weeks back - I plan to give it to my brother. I found a few things for my granddaughters and my great nephew at Big Lots a few weeks ago - the girls wanted nail polish and there was a cool Spiderman bath set for my 6 year old great nephew. My grown grandson plays video games, so I get him a GC from GameStop, so he can choose his own. Everyone's happy and money doesn't get wasted!

[@naeluvsGCH]

I found myself in the break room today thinking about a new shiny Keurig but then I remembered that my $20 black and decker works JUST fine and I only have a couple of cups a week. This was my confirmation to stick to my guns this weekend.

[@bettylou3709]

Gifts between co-workers are the things that people re-gift to drop in guests they didn't expect.

[@freedominabudget]

I've always loved your Christmas Envelopes! It also avoids receiving gifts that you would never use or trouble finding gifts for people that are hard to buy. My father in law is SO hard to shop for!!

[@freedominabudget]

Oh girl! The blankets!!! I am a hoarder on cozy blankets as well!!!

[@deathrowtodisneyworld5030]

When I give gifts, I don't want to decorate someone's house for them, I give lovely food items.

[@kelseybrooks7186]

I'm thinking of making Christmas Crack this christmas!

[@WellBehavedWallet]

Love this - Just say no to clutter passing! I'm definitely going to aim to do consumables for work colleagues... my challenge is getting them packaged before "consuming" them all myself!!! Thanks for posting. xWBW

[@TheBudgetingWife]

Thanks for participating in this collab, Sarah!! It was so fun. I love the idea that you go shopping for exactly what you wanted! It does save such a hassle from returning gifts!

[@carolwilliams8840]

Love the video. Last year I started to buy a new up to date crockpot. I decided it was a waste of money since the one I bought from Goldblatt's in 1986 still works just fine. Yes, it's brown and beige but...it works so I'm keeping it.

[@lindab8078]

What a fun video - love having the reminder of what we don't need in order to make the holidays special. Love the cash envelope idea.

[@jessicao3092]

The way I save on Christmas is by making a list at the beginning of the year of who I need to buy for and keeping my eye open all year long for good deals. It helps my budget for the month of December! I also don’t buy any decorations. Maybe someday but for now I’m a renter and it’s hard to find places to store things. So I have a mini Christmas tree and a few things I’ve inherited from family. For coworkers ( I only have six) I usually get something three bucks or less, like bath and body works soap, a cure notepad with a pen, or for this year some really like pot holders I found for half off a few months ago. I try to find practical but fun things. Ps... I love blankets!! In fact I need a new one for my winter blanket! I realllllly want to buy a tv, mine is about the size of a laptop lol. But I didn’t budget for it, so maybe next year.

[@Elena-er7zp]

But no surprises :( I love surprises. Basic rule was only buy something I have wanted for years so spent about $60 today. I bought that Urban Decay Smokey palatte that is over 50% off. Sold out at Ulta, but still at Macy's. I also bought a Fire Stick which I am super excited about it because I had been hooking my laptop up to my TV lol and having a remote for watching KZbin or Netflix seems like the ultimate luxury! Oh and about TVs, I had a big ol' tube TV for the longest time. Drove everyone crazy, most of all my Dad when he would visit from out-of-town. So guess where his 52" Samsung TV ended up when he upgraded his own? At my house! And it was FREE!! Hahaha

[@ouvickie]

Gotta love FREE!! I love my Fire Stick! Hubby bought a new HDTV for the living room about 4 years ago and my daughter's family bought a ROKU box, so she gave me the Fire Sticks I'd bought her for Christmas about 5 years ago. It's awesome how much entertainment Amazon Prime provides. I did away with basic cable - that's a $50 month savings.

[@hollyjones3245]

Good video! Hope you had a wonderful holiday.

[@deesjourney213]

Good grief girl! You are my idol. I love your logical approach. I wish when I was your age I had your attitude and smart look at gift giving. I have tried and tried but I end up always going over our budget which is already more then we can afford. We will never stop trying though. Great video!

[@sunnysunshine6271]

Even if the topic doesn't relate to me, I still watch cause you're HILARIOUS!!!!!! :))

[@bonnyroggenbauer6518]

I am a hoarder of blankets too. I think it's a frugal thing. Don't turn the heat up, here's a blanket. This winter my girls are complaining a little more. So, I said you got to get up and move. Do dishes, vacuum, lol. It has been working thougj.

[@hena1937]

Our stove quit a few years ago. You would be amazed at the meals I make on our pancake griddle! Steak and chicken are amazing! If your’s ever quits you may want to try it. It could mean that you could get by for awhile instead of spending emergency money on a stove.

[@kikihammond5326]

Sarah, here's an idea for you about your Christmas decor and your journey. I noticed you still have your debt free and emergency fund charts on your fridge. Snap a photo of them, then load them up to a site that makes ornaments from photos, and have a porcelain ornament made from each. Then you can remember every year that part of your journey, and once the paper ones are gone/degraded or in a folder somewhere, you haven't "lost" those. They aren't too expensive, but will forever be a part of your journey, and you can remember this for years to come.

[@msvawa7689]

Love this tradition! Brilliant!

[@lucysmart2764]

Oh, the Pioneer Woman EVERYTHING. I NEED it. But I don't. And I didn't, lol. I already have 3 crockpots. I have a giant one for when we have people visit, a smaller for when it's just my family, and a triple dipper I got as a gift. I use it for office parties to have all the hot dips!

[@chowceo]

Hi Sarah. I know how budget minded you are are I am in need to upgrading my laptop and phone. I would like to get a Mac laptop. What are your suggestions as to what Mac to get and where. Also I need to upgrade my iPhone and I remember you saying you got your iPhone 8 on Walmart, how do you purchase that, on their website and do you need to get an unlocked version if you already have a plan? Thank you so much I just love your philosophies and content 💜😍😍😍😍😍💜

[@truneilson]

The old crackpots are much better because all the new ones are soooo hot. I checked my new one even just left on Warm it gets over 165* and on High it gets over 200*. I wish I had an older one that cooks low and slow.

[@amiradeshon5501]

Maybe goodwill has a new donation

[@lindawilson290]

Hi, BG! Just wondering how you and Jacob decided to exchange gifts. Did you set a budget? Did you pass envelopes? Did you shop for each other on Black Friday? ~ BTW, did Vince & Beth visit you over T-giving? (I may have missed that in one of your blogs.) Thanks, and happy holidays!!

[@kathydavis746]

I love blankets too....

[@sopjoplop23]

Seriously Walmart after xmas sales! I got my tree for $10, with built in lights!and the star was $5!! And our ornaments are from childhood, or made from family and friends!

[@annettetaylor8992]

We will be paying off our last credit card on the 15th of December, even with the two things we bought for black Friday. My husband for his birthday and Christmas present he never buys anything for himself so he got the ps4 bundle, and I bought a car seat for the new baby in the oven I’m going to buy it anyways and I saved $150 on it so might as well buy it now,

[@donnawright7906]

Clutter exchange with co-workers😂

[@theresabeauchamp4470]

I have 2 crockpots. 1 large and 1 small. I use the small one most and when we make bulk meat for packing up in the freezer for coming meals. Both were gifts to me years ago. I do have waffle maker bought used. It cost more to buy frozen then making a batter and make them myself then freeze. Have you ever tried Facebook market place. I have decorated my who apartment from there and diy ideas.

[@lauraadaly]

I needed to hear this!!

[@traceems1]

If you grab crafting stuff and maybe a printable template make a Christmas tree topper with your family..great memories

[@deathrowtodisneyworld5030]

My name is Death Row To Disney, and I am a blanket hoarder! Can't change what you don't acknowledge!

[@kakelinga]

Holey panties not good for your soul. I can't stop laughing. Great video and great collab.

[@alibeatty1414]

I got a beautiful tree skirt from Hearth & Hand at Target last year for super cheap the day after Christmas.

[@behniwal08]

Ugh I always want all the blankets! But I'm too cheap to actually buy them since I always want the thick more pricey ones. I really should just invest in one or two of those better quality ones rather than freezing in the cheap ones 😞

[@Practice_Kindness-1st]

Great idea & ideas! By the way, that blue blouse really compliments you! Happy BF shopping!

[@bonnyroggenbauer6518]

Caboodles, loved that! Miss mine,lol.

[@MeganBecnel]

My ornaments are a combination of ornaments from my childhood and special things from other times that weren't made to be ornaments, but I've turned into one (Like my d'belle pledge pin and plaque). That helps me utilize memory items that might not otherwise be used and makes me happy over all. So if someone gives me a happy thought the year that I don't have an immediate place for (like a painted sand dollar a friend created on vacay), I go ahead and add it to my Christmas stuff, so I can accomdate it. If I changed my mind and want to use it elsewhere, I can pull it out still.

[@blciffa]

You don't need makeup. You have great skin. ♥️

[@BonnieHalfElven]

*ahem*- a blanket can make a great tree skirt. ;-) My mom had open heart surgery in September, and I have financial power of attorney. I got a look at her situation and told her I didn't need anything from her this year. I am in good financial shape, thanks to following the Dave Ramsey plan (I can't get her to do it - powdered butt syndrome and all that), so if I want something, I save up and pay for it. She said that was fine, but I shouldn't get her anything, either. I might get her something small and practical, like some hand soap and some pens I know she'll like. Beware of Pioneer Woman stuff. I have some glassware and I really like it, but my SIL bought some pans and the paint chipped off and got in the FOOD! I put a moratorium on myself awhile back with jewelry. I LOVE costume jewelry and I have a ton of it! I really don't need anything, and in the future, I'll mostly buy a few nicer pieces - especially rings - and replace the cheap ones I have. Those makeup things always look tempting, but I suspect they're of poor quality and not worth the investment. Happy shopping!

[@laurenh825]

Watching this a second time because my husband talks everytime I hit play. 😑

[@debbiemabrey9240]

The struggle is real

[@FreckleFinance]

Every year I'm tempted to buy an expensive blender but I'm not a smoothie drinker and I have an immersion blender for soups so I'd literally never use it haha. I own two crockpots but only because my dad gave me his after I had one. I HAVE used both multiple times but that's when meal prepping. I also make gifts either I bake something or I make them a mix (like cake mix, pancake mix or hot chocolate mix). Ahaha Oh man the Kindle! I just got a book bundle off humble bundle and I pulled my Kindle out of my closet that I haven't used in like 2 years. It didn't turn on immediately when charging and my husband was off looking for deals and I'm like "give it time it'll start it's a perfectly fine kindle"

[@monikag1323]

I still have my tv I bought in 2000 but never hooked up when I moved! I watch everything on my phone or computer! However, I am a huge makeup junkie!

[@cheyannemanderson]

My boyfriend and I do something similar because he gets anxiety shopping (plus I'm picky :p ) We went shopping this past weekend and I got a few sweaters, 2 pairs of boots and a small spiralizer. Because I love a good surprise we do cheap stocking-stuffer type stuff too. I mean CHEAP. Like the free steak seasoning from Kroger last week is going in his stocking. It works for us. I DID say I wasn't going to buy the cats any more toys but if we're being honest I found a little cat whack a mole (mouse) game at Burlington soooooooooooooooooooooo LOL cats get a new toy. Also, I don't do gifts for coworkers but I will probably write out a card for each of them. I don't do photo cards just basic cards from yard sales, thrift stores or stores like Ross, etc because I don't want people to feel bad about throwing my cards away

[@Crystalthewolf1000]

That style of Christmas wouldn’t work in my family we’d all remember what we got. Plus the Boxing Day (week) sales are way better in Canada.

[@rochellethundercloud346]

For a tree skirt,try old bedding, towels or clothing. If you can sew,instantly make one from old,ratty cloth items you already have. My husband and I avoid black Friday shopping. Crowds,insane people, risk of being killed for a top,nope. If you are into makeup, try wish.com they have a huge full face makeup set for 30 dollars, and several 48 piece nail polish sets, from 30 dollars to 60 dollars, plus shipping, so add another10 dollars. Or,thrift stores. I just got a nice,heavy,good quality winter coat from a shop by my house, called the xchange. Coat is brand new old navy brand, five dollars. Yes,it's a men's coat.got a blue and Gray ombre sweater for five dollars, too.

[@TheRealLydiaSenn]

Blanket hoarder! My husband’s aunt gives us so many blankets.

[@jodyhuntsman4126]

Great video

[@orhidejaskale6452]

Please do a makeup collection video!

[@luzloveslife]

orhideja skale yes! I would love to see this!!

[@DaleStAmant]

,👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@susanvelez6534]

Lol your so funny hacked Christmas

[@slesseps]

I have the Pioneer Woman CP- it’s pretty, but very simple and I find it runs hot- meh.

[@zuzzzap]

LOL I've got even less makeup than You; wise girl

[@theresabeauchamp4470]

Do you know I have had towels from years ago. If they get alot of holes then I will throw it away.

[@harmonyranay07]

Kitchen gadgets yes.

[@thriftylifeofsissy8761]

Hi. You have some great tips as always. I hope my KZbin channel becomes successful as yours one day.

[@imaginecreate]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kristenmcinnes6263]

How boring, I would hate to shop for myself for Christmas. I love the surprise of what gifts I receive

[@joaquimrodriguez8961]

Christmas, what's Christmas? Just don't celebrate. And don't bring a tree into the house! Waste of money.

[@jessicalamarre3345]

The fluff in your hair.... 🙃 its driving me crazy - BUT Its real life, so no big deal - but still drives me crazy!!