Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year, but it can also be one of the most expensive.  When you’re faced with all the excitement from insane deals, it’s easy to forget how to mindfully participate in Black Friday. While you may think I’m uptight, I’ll continue to believe that mindfulness is both important and effective to your Black Friday experience. Here are 7 ways to be more mindful on Black Friday.

1. Set An Intention

Ask yourself what you intend to buy and why you want or need to buy it. Planning ahead gives you time to think about your purchases rather than buying on impulse. Knowing what you want also gives you the time to search for the best deals.

2. Be Conscious Of Your Spending

Ironically, all the deals can cause you to spend more. It’s easy to fall into the consumerism trap of buying things you don’t really want or need. The best way to keep yourself from overspending is to do the math when you’re adding the item(s) to your cart. Seeing your total before you approach the checkout lane will prevent you from splurging and force you to reconsider before you swipe your card.

3. Remember To Spend Money On Experiences Too

A shiny new gadget can quickly lose its appeal, but experiences live on forever. Many airline companies, resorts, and travel sites offer exclusive Black Friday deals to help book your dream vacation. So while the new iPhone may be tempting, you may want to consider saving some money to spend on less tangible things too.

4. Support Small Businesses

Most small businesses also have Black Friday deals. Mass merchandisers may have things small businesses don’t, but small businesses have things mass merchandisers don’t too. Supporting small businesses gives you the opportunity to own items that are truly unique. It’s also nice to give money to friends who own them or those who are working hard in the community.

5. Know Your Brands

Not all companies are worth giving your hard-earned money to. We all have a moral compass, and some companies participate in what you may consider unethical behavior. Whether you want to support their behavior is up to you, but it’s better to be aware of it than to blindly support it. There are companies out there whose values may align with you better than others. Certain brands even give back to charities, so if you want your money to mean something, you can always look into brands that give your purchases meaning.

6. Remember The Reason For The Season

Find a good balance between making purchases for yourself and others. Generosity is part of what the holiday season is all about. Whether you’re buying gifts for friends or family or donating to the less fortunate, making purchases for others is a wonderful feeling.

7. Take The Marie Kondo Approach

Meditate on purchases. Set the excitement of a good deal aside and think about how this purchase will make you feel. Like Marie Kondo says, will this bring you joy? Can you imagine it adding to your life? Or will it lose its luster and end up collecting dust in your closet? If you can’t visualize yourself finding joy from the item itself rather than just the purchase, you may want to reconsider.

While it may not seem like it, Black Friday is a lot more fun when you’re shopping mindfully and intentionally. These tips aren’t to discourage you, but rather help you think twice about your participation in Black Friday. So, when you’re heading out the door to do your shopping, don’t forget to put human decency and mindfulness in your back pocket.