don't let Black Friday turn into Broke Monday

Quick question: How many Black Friday emails have you gotten in the past week? 50? 100?

Retailers want you overwhelmed. They want you scrolling through deals at midnight, second-guessing whether you "need" that thing that's 60% off. They get you overwhelmed, because overwhelmed shoppers spend more.

But you're not going to be that shopper. This year, you're going in with a plan.

Here’s what’s inside:

• Your Black Friday game plan

• CNBC feature: The truth about “overnight success”

• Good debt vs. bad debt: Yes, there's a difference

• Why retiring single requires extra planning

P.S. If you want to talk through your own finances, you can book a free 1-hour coaching call here ☎️

Your Black Friday game plan

Black Friday officially lands on November 28, but the deals started weeks ago. And if you're smart about it, this isn't about impulse buying. It's about strategic stocking up.

Here's how to shop smart:

🛒 Make a list and check it twice. Before you see a single "50% OFF" banner, write down what you actually need. Been eyeing an upgraded laptop? Add it. Need to replace that dying vacuum? List it. If it's not on the list, it shouldn’t be in the cart.

🛒 Set your budget now. The average American planned to spend around $650 during Black Friday-Cyber Monday events in 2024. Whatever your number is, commit to it before the sales start. Use a spreadsheet, a notes app, or even cash if that helps you stick to it.

🛒 Track prices early. Use browser extensions like CamelCamelCamel or Keepa to see if that "deal" is actually a deal. Sometimes retailers mark prices up just to mark them back down. Don't fall for fake discounts.

🛒 Focus on big-ticket items. Black Friday is prime time for TVs, laptops, major appliances, and kitchen gadgets. These categories see genuine discounts. Skip winter clothes. You'll find better deals closer to Christmas.

🛒 Know what counts as a "good" deal. Generally, if you're getting around 30% off or more, you're looking at a solid discount worth taking. Anything less might not be worth it unless it's something you were planning to buy at full price anyway.

🛒 Shop early for high-demand items. Inventory is tighter this year. If there's something specific you want, don't wait until Friday. Many of the best deals sell out during early access sales.

🛒 Watch out for the add-on trap. You found the laptop you wanted at a great price… but then the site suggests a case, mouse, warranty, and software bundle. These add-ons are rarely discounted as much as the main item. Stick to your list.

The bottom line: Black Friday can be a smart way to save on things you actually need. But only if you go in with a plan, a budget, and the discipline to walk away from everything else.

Done with overspending every holiday season? Book a call to create a realistic budget you'll actually stick to.

Featured on CNBC: That time I made $63,000 in 2 days

Big news: I was recently featured on CNBC talking about the time I made $63,000 for a two-day McDonald's commercial shoot.

On paper, it sounds like I hit the jackpot. But here's the real story behind that headline: it took eight years of grinding to get there. Those two days were only possible because of the years of work that came before: learning the craft, building relationships, and showing up even when success felt impossible.

Here's what that journey taught me:

💰 The "big win" is built on small, consistent actions. Just like compound interest, small efforts over time create exponential results. Whether you're building a career, a business, or wealth, consistency beats intensity every time.

💰 What you do with windfalls matters more than the windfall itself. When that $63,000 came in (paid out over many months), most of it went straight into savings and funding Doing Well. Not a new car. Not a celebration trip. I invested it in my future.

💰 Skills transfer, and so does discipline. The ability to take direction, adapt quickly, and show up with your best effort even when no one's watching? Those skills I learned on set now drive everything I do in business and money.

You can read the full article here.

Good debt vs. Bad debt: not all borrowing is created equal

Debt gets a bad rap. And most of the time, it deserves it. But not all debt is created equal, and knowing the difference between good debt and bad debt can change your financial trajectory.

Good debt helps you build long-term value or increase your earning potential. Bad debt pays for things that lose value quickly or come with sky-high interest rates that trap you in a cycle of payments.

Here's the breakdown:

How to tell the difference:

If the debt helps you increase your income, build equity, or invest in something that appreciates, it's likely good debt. If it's funding things that lose value or come with crushing interest rates, it's bad debt. Before you borrow, know which category you're stepping into.

Need help figuring out which debts to tackle first? Book a free call and we'll walk you through it.

The hidden cost of retiring single

Retirement planning looks different when you're single, and the financial system wasn't really designed with solo agers in mind.

Without a partner to split costs or share caregiving, expenses hit differently. But that doesn't mean single people can't retire comfortably. It just means the planning needs to be more intentional.

Here's what single retirees should plan for:

👤 Higher per-person costs. Everything from housing to utilities costs more when you're the only one footing the bill. Couples can split a one-bedroom apartment; singles pay the same rent alone.

👤 Aging-in-place expenses add up fast. Home modifications like ramps, grab bars, and stair lifts can cost thousands. Without a partner to help with small tasks around the house, you may need to hire help earlier than coupled retirees would.

👤 Fewer tax benefits and economies of scale. Married couples get better tax breaks and can buy in bulk more efficiently. Singles pay more per unit and miss out on joint tax filing advantages.

👤 Long-term care costs hit harder. The average cost of assisted living hit $72,924 per year in 2025. When caregiving needs arise, the full cost falls on one person's budget instead of being shared between two.

👤 Social connection takes more effort (and sometimes money). Staying socially connected is crucial for health as we age, but it requires more intentional planning when you're single. That might mean budgeting for social activities, community memberships, or wellness services.

What you can do about it:

💡 Build a bigger emergency fund. Without a second income as backup, aim for at least a year of expenses saved.

💡 Consider long-term care insurance early. It's more affordable when you're younger and healthier, and it can be a financial lifeline later.

💡 Maximize retirement contributions. Single people typically need more saved since there's no partner's retirement account or Social Security benefit to lean on.

💡 Build your chosen family network. Friends, neighbors, and community connections aren't just good for your mental health. They can also reduce the need for expensive paid services down the line.

 Worth the Click This Week

📊 Mortgage rates for the next 5 years: Experts predict rates will hover around 6.2%-6.4% through 2027, with little relief in sight for homebuyers. Read the forecast »

💰 2026 retirement contribution limits are here: You can now contribute up to $24,500 to your 401(k) (up from $23,500) and $7,500 to your IRA (up from $7,000). Time to update your payroll settings. See all the new limits »

👴 Baby boomers face a retirement savings gap: Only 40% of boomers have enough saved to maintain their standard of living in retirement. The rest are running short, and time is running out to close the gap. Read what's at stake »

🏠 50-year mortgages: Lower payments, way more interest: The Trump administration is floating a 50-year mortgage to help affordability. The monthly payment would drop by about $119—but you'd pay double the interest over the life of the loan. Understand the trade-offs »