Navigating Black Friday deals and pull over

Black Friday deals and Traffic stops Dos and Don'ts

Nov 19, 2023

Don’t like emails in spam or promotions? Just reply to this email with an 👍🏼or 👎🏼 OR just a ‘Hi’. That’s it. It makes a bigger difference than you know in the email delivery.

Share the knowledge, grow the community, empower each other!

Share SettleWise

Market: The November rally persists, marking the third consecutive week of gains for major US indexes. This positive trend follows the recent inflation data, indicating a cooling of prices last month. Investors remain optimistic, hoping for the Federal Reserve to refrain from raising rates in December. Falling oil prices since September's near-term high have further fueled the stock market rally. Notably, the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq all recorded almost a 2% gain for the week. November has seen a substantial rebound, with the S&P 500 surging more than 7%. Real estate stocks, previously impacted by rising interest rates in 2023, experienced a notable recovery last week amid speculations that rates might have reached their peak. On the labor front, the UAW successfully ratified their new contract with Stellantis, the owner of Chrysler.

Keeping Our Newsletter Free

Crafting each newsletter demands a significant amount of time and effort, all to ensure that we deliver valuable content directly to your inbox. Our desire is to keep it free.

Please share our newsletter with your friends, family, and colleagues, and encourage them to subscribe. Thanks to all who've shared – Continue sharing. By bringing in multiple subscribers, you're actively contributing to the mission of providing this valuable resource for free. Together, we can keep our community thriving. 🙏

Black Friday Deals: A Guide to Smart Spending

As the holiday season approaches, Black Friday emerges on the horizon, tempting us with irresistible deals and discounts. While it's an opportune time to snag bargains, it's crucial to approach the shopping frenzy with a strategic mindset to avoid unnecessary financial pitfalls.

1. Set a Budget and Stick to It: Before diving into the Black Friday madness, establish a budget. Decide how much you can comfortably spend without straining your finances. Allocating specific amounts for different categories can help you prioritize needs over wants.

2. Differentiate Between Needs and Wants: Black Friday is renowned for its flashy deals on high-ticket items. It's essential to discern between what you truly need and what's simply a tempting offer. Prioritize purchases that align with your immediate requirements rather than succumbing to the allure of seemingly unbeatable deals.

3. Avoid Impulse Buying: The adrenaline rush of Black Friday can lead to impulsive decisions. Before making a purchase, take a moment to evaluate whether it's a planned acquisition or a spur-of-the-moment choice. Avoid unnecessary expenses by sticking to your prepared shopping list.

4. Shop with Purpose: Instead of scouring every aisle or webpage, focus on specific items you need. This targeted approach not only saves time but also minimizes the chances of falling into the trap of impulsive shopping.

5. Be Wary of "Limited-Time" Offers: Retailers often use urgency to drive sales by promoting deals as time-sensitive. While some genuinely are, others may be part of marketing strategies. Double-check the terms and conditions to ensure the urgency is genuine before rushing into a purchase.

6. Utilize Online Tools: Use websites like https://camelcamelcamel.com/ to verify whether a deal is genuinely a discounted price or just a marketing gimmick. These tools track price histories, helping you make informed decisions about the actual value of the product.

7. Stay Informed about Return Policies: Understand the return policies of the stores you're purchasing from. Sometimes, what seems like a great deal may turn out differently upon closer inspection. Knowing the return options helps in making stress-free decisions.

8. Review Your Purchases After a Few Days: Keep a reminder to evaluate your purchases a few days after Black Friday. This allows you to calm down and think clearly, helping you decide if certain items are truly necessary. If not, take advantage of return policies to ensure your financial well-being.

#SettleWiseStance – Approaching Black Friday with financial wisdom ensures that you make meaningful purchases without compromising your financial health. By setting a budget, differentiating needs from wants, and utilizing online tools, you can make the most of the season’s deals and discounts.
As you plan your Black Friday activities, it's essential to consider the best and worst times for road travel during the Thanksgiving season. Generally, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days, marked by heavy traffic and congestion. If possible, plan your travel for early in the morning or late at night to avoid the peak rush. Similarly, Sunday tends to be a high-traffic day as people return home. To maximize your travel experience, consider departing on Thanksgiving Day itself, as it often offers lighter traffic and a more relaxed journey.

Traffic Stops: Dos and Don'ts for a Safe Encounter

Navigating a traffic stop can be a tense experience, and it's crucial to understand the dos and don'ts to ensure a safe and uneventful encounter with law enforcement. This is especially important for immigrants who may not be familiar with the protocols, making them more vulnerable to unintended misunderstandings.

Dos:

1.Pull Over Safely: When you see the flashing lights behind you, find a safe place to pull over. Choose a well-lit area if possible, and use your turn signal to indicate your intention to stop.

2. Stay Inside the Vehicle: Keep your seatbelt on and wait inside your vehicle for the officer to approach. This helps the officer feel more secure and in control of the situation.

3. Keep Your Hands Visible: Place your hands on the steering wheel, preferably at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions, so they are clearly visible to the officer. This helps alleviate any concerns about hidden objects.

4. Be Polite and Cooperative: When the officer approaches, be polite and cooperative. Answer questions honestly and concisely. Remember, the traffic stop is not the time to argue your case.

5. Know Your Rights: You have the right to remain silent. If you feel uncomfortable, you can politely ask if you are free to leave. However, always follow the officer's instructions.

Don'ts:

1. Sudden Movements: Avoid sudden movements that might be perceived as a threat. This includes reaching for items without informing the officer first.

2. Exiting the Vehicle: Unless instructed by the officer, do not exit your vehicle. Getting out can be seen as an aggressive move, and it may escalate the situation.

3. Approaching the Officer: Stay inside your vehicle unless instructed otherwise. Approaching the officer can be perceived as confrontational, and it's safer for everyone to remain in place.

4. Concealing Your Hands: Keep your hands visible at all times. In cold weather, if you need to retrieve documents from your pocket, inform the officer of your intention before doing so.

5. Arguing or Resisting: A traffic stop is not the time to argue or resist. If you disagree with the officer, you can address the issue later through appropriate channels.

#SettleWiseStance – Understanding these dos and don'ts is essential, particularly for immigrants who may not be familiar with the cultural nuances of traffic stops. Being aware of how actions can be interpreted by law enforcement helps create a safer and more secure interaction for both drivers and officers. By following these guidelines, you contribute to a smoother traffic stop experience and help build trust and understanding between the community and law enforcement.

News Nuggets

Black Friday deals. https://blackfriday.com/
Congressional retirements is rocking the 2024 elections
A record number of $50 bills were printed last year. why?
Trump loses bid for mistrial in fraud case. Judge defends himself and his clerk
U.S., Israel and Hamas reach tentative deal. To pause conflict and free hostages

We value your feedback! Please take a moment to share your thoughts on this episode and let us know what topics you would like to read about next. Your input guides us in delivering valuable and relevant content. Feel free to leave your feedback in the comments below or email to author.settlewise@gmail.com.