How to survive Black Friday

Well - my first piece of advice would be, swerve it.  BUT (and who are we kidding?!) it would surely be rude not to take advantage of some of the amazing offers that are out there?

I think we should play them at their own game and definitely make the most of the offers whilst they're around this weekend. 

Especially as you're more likely to get what you want now, than wait for the sale when it inevitably will be sold out. 

Is it possible to snag a bargain? 

Well, I have come up with some rules that IF you follow, you shouldn't make a mistake.  To be honest, these are generic shopping rules but I find somehow, my brain (what's left of it) decides to take a sabbatical and I turn into a headless chicken and buy EVERYTHING when there's an offer on or there's a sale.  Because it's a bargain. 

So before you go in - I would maybe have a read of these.  No, none of them are rocket science, but sometimes it does take a reminder to remember them.

• If in doubt stick to a colour palette  If you don't have anything else fuchsia pink yet decide on the spur of the moment you HAVE to have that jumper - you may find that by Monday, you'll realise you didn't.  Do not impulse buy a colour you don't usually wear *stares at green coat hanging in wardrobe and weeps*.
• Know your lifestyle.  That skirt is marvellous.  Seriously how often will you wear it.....on the school run, at playgroup, in the supermarket..... Do not buy something that you don't usually wear just because you "might" or you "should".  You won't.
• And on that subject, only buy something if you can think of three occasions when you will wear it.  Go on.... (and you can wear almost anything on Christmas Day, I've discovered)
• Sticking with three - you must be able to make three outfits with it, from things you already own in your wardrobe (that skirt you want for example.. will you need new tops, new boots and a new jacket/coat to go with it??!  Put the skirt back.)
• "Don't you have one of those already?", courtesy of The Husband.  Buy three black polo necks but make sure they're all different shapes, sleeve lengths, knits and go with different trousers/skirts/for different occasions.  The same black jumper shape in a black cable knit does not count.  Buy it in a different colour instead (from your colour palette...put that pink jumper back.  By the way, I now really want a pink jumper!)
• Would you buy it if at the same reduced price if it was full price in Zara...?  Are you just buying it because it's a bargain?  Do you REALLY love it?
• And my fave (which I'm sure someone told me on here actually and I have shamelessly stolen and added to my list) - if it doesn't look as good on as the outfit you wore into the changing room does, don't buy it.