5 Ways to Avoid Over Consuming on Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Sale! Sale! Sale! The American tradition of shopping 'til you drop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday has crept north of the border. The trouble is, sales can be so seductive, they convince us to buy 'stuff' we don't need and maybe can't quite afford. To help stop the madness, here are 5 ways to avoid over consuming this weekend.

1. Face the Waste. Before you polish up your elbows to get at the door crasher deals, watch The Story of Stuff. Even if you've seen it before (it's a classic), watch it again and we'll bet you'll be giving those sales a pass.

2. Avoid, Avoid, Avoid. We wouldn't normally prescribe avoidance as a technique in dealing with a problem, but in this case it really works. Don't go to the stores, don't read the flyers, don't be seduced to click through on those spam emails. Just avoid the temptation all together.

3. Go 50/50. This pact is one you make with yourself. For every dollar you save, give 50% of it back to someone who really needs it. Pick a charity, drop a few dollars in the outstretched hand of someone in need, or put it toward a Christmas hamper; those extra dollars will remind you that all of this madness still sandwiches ThanksGIVING.

4. Ask What If? As your finger twitches on the mouse ready to click 'check out', ask yourself 'what if?'  What would happen if you didn't buy this item; what would your life be like without it? If the answer is 'no different' then it looks like you are about to over-consume! Take your hand off the mouse and back away from the Cyber Monday sale.

5. Find a Spend Buddy. Shopping is often a social activity so take advantage of having a buddy by asking them to keep you accountable to your intentions before you walk through the mall doors. Share your shopping list with them and make a pact to keep each other on track and out of the clutches of seductive sale prices.

Shop mindfully, shop with a conscience and you'll be sale-ing through this season of spending with no regrets.