Economic Mood and Holiday Spending Trends

Black Friday is coming, and you've got two choices: get trampled at 3 a.m. for a discount air fryer, or learn how the pros actually save hundreds without the drama.

Joe Saul-Sehy and Neighbor Doug kick off Black Friday week with the perfect blend of strategy and sanity. First up: Australian comedian Josh Liston tries to make sense of American Thanksgiving traditions and why we consider waking up before dawn to fight strangers over discounted electronics "normal holiday fun." Spoiler: he's not buying it.

Then Regina Conway from Slick Deals drops in with the actual playbook. Regina breaks down when to shop during Black Friday week (different categories peak on different days), how to stack coupons with cashback and gift card deals for maximum savings, and why subscriptions and memberships might be the smartest budget-friendly gifts you're not considering. She also reveals how the Slick Deals community spots hidden bargains before they disappear—and how you can do the same.

But here's where it gets real: Joe, Doug, and Josh tackle Buy Now Pay Later schemes like Affirm and Klarna. They're everywhere this season, and they're tempting. They're also the financial equivalent of eating Halloween candy for breakfast—feels great in the moment, regrettable by lunch. You'll learn exactly when these services make sense (rare) and when they're just a trap disguised as convenience.

Whether you're hunting deals or trying to avoid holiday debt, this episode is your survival guide for coming out ahead.

What You'll Walk Away With:

• Regina Conway's insider strategy for when to shop during Black Friday week (hint: timing matters more than you think)

• How to stack coupons, cashback offers, and gift card deals to maximize every purchase

• Why subscriptions and memberships make surprisingly smart (and budget-friendly) holiday gifts

• Grocery hacks that actually save money during the most expensive shopping weeks of the year

• The truth about Buy Now Pay Later—when it's useful and when it's just expensive debt with good marketing

• How community-powered deal sites like Slick Deals help you find and vet bargains before they vanish

• Smart strategies to enjoy the holidays without the January credit card hangover

This Episode Is For You If:

• You want Black Friday deals without the 3 a.m. wake-up call or the crowds

• You're trying to save money this season but feel overwhelmed by all the "deals"

• You've been tempted by Buy Now Pay Later but aren't sure if it's smart or stupid

• You want to give great gifts without blowing your budget (or your sanity)

• You believe there's a smarter way to shop than fighting strangers for discounted TVs

What's Your Black Friday Strategy?

Are you a doorbuster warrior, an online deal hunter, or someone who avoids the whole thing? Drop your approach in the comments—and if you've got a Black Friday horror story (or victory), the basement wants to hear it.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/how-to-save-big-this-black-friday-regina-conway-1765

Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201

Enjoy!

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