Is anyone doing anything for Buy Nothing Day 2012?

KellyKim

I had a wonderful time at a Buy Nothing Day event a few years in Bristol and wondered if anyone was doing anything again this year to celebrate a day off buying stuff!

If you are planning something, let me know here! I will be in Brighton this year so would especially like to do something there, but if not I am happy to travel!

x

Ken68

I don't buy most days, Kelly.
Could go to Brighton I suppose and buy nothing, but cheaper to stay here.
Or you and I and maybe others could do a virtual Buy Nothing Day.
Would I need a list do you think.?

KellyKim

Hehe Ken,

Probably best to stay put then! I rarely buy anything either, but I guess the purpose of the day is to encourage society as a whole to question their consumption patterns, not those who already buy nothing like your good self!

Its much more fun to buy nothing together though, don't you think?

Kel x

rogerblack

Thinking about this, I actively go and buy things about 3 times a month.
Last time was this months grocery order for 60 quid, a couple of weeks ago.
Assuming using an existing service, such as electricity is not buying.

KellyKim

That's amazing Roger. I would personally say that every time you use an electrical appliance, if it is not off-grid, that you are buying electricity from your supplier. I guess a true Buy Nothing Day would be one where you didn't buy anything, even your electricity. Food for thought.

x

Ken68

My contribution to Buy Nothing Day is:
Not to buy new Wellington Boots.
Have gaffa taped the old ones, should see me thru the winter. (with the silver of the duct tape set against the faded black rubber, looks quite industrial, and the swastika blends in nicely)

Ben84

Personally, I suspect I would just be pushing my usual consumption of stuff to the other 364 days of the year if I skipped one single day. From this I think, although I find the considering how we live valuable, that I'm not sure it directly contributes any answers to the concerns we may have about it. So, I would suggest a different idea for the day which involves possibly buying (or making) something, by obtaining a longer lasting (possibly reusable) item to replace something you currently use which is disposable.

For one of many examples, buy a safety razor and avoid all those bulky plastic handles that come with other disposables. We all have material needs and wants, but these can so often be met with far less materials than they currently are.

KellyKim

Hi Ben

You could push them to the other day, but that wouldn't be the point of doing it. Its a method of actually helping ourselves and others think about the insanity of our current shopping culture. I've got friends who literally can't imagine not buying ANYTHING for a day. That's the point of the day.

Your idea has merit too, so thanks for it.

Kel x

ladylouise62

KellyKim wrote: »

Hi Ben

You could push them to the other day, but that wouldn't be the point of doing it. Its a method of actually helping ourselves and others think about the insanity of our current shopping culture. I've got friends who literally can't imagine not buying ANYTHING for a day. That's the point of the day.

Your idea has merit too, so thanks for it.

Kel x

I agree, it's probably not for a lot of us here on MSE, but I work with someone who buys either clothing, jewellery, household stuff or stuff for the grandkids/dog every lunchtime. It's not as though she earns a fortune, either. Needless to say she has no savings or pension provision, so ANYTHING that could help focus her mind on not buying would be fantastic.

Ben84

KellyKim wrote: »

Hi Ben

You could push them to the other day, but that wouldn't be the point of doing it. Its a method of actually helping ourselves and others think about the insanity of our current shopping culture. I've got friends who literally can't imagine not buying ANYTHING for a day. That's the point of the day.

Your idea has merit too, so thanks for it.

Kel x

I can imagine not buying something for a day, but generally I do buy something every day. Usually some food, newspaper or consumables of some type. This is mainly because I don't have a car so have to buy things when I get the chance rather than stock up due to weight. So, frequency of shopping isn't perhaps an ideal measure of how much someone actually buys, or even how essential the items are. However, I do know what you mean. I know so many people who go shopping for the sake of it and buy things because they're there. My mother being somewhat addicted to shopping at one point made me very aware of the problems. Since then I've been much more aware (and critical) of how much stuff I buy. I'm not sure if I buy too much stuff or not however. I do use and enjoy almost everything I buy and don't buy things at the expense of making any savings or even going in to debt - so on a personal level I think I'm getting it right, but what about the social and environmental issues? Those are harder to reconcile really.

KellyKim

Ben84 wrote: »

I do use and enjoy almost everything I buy and don't buy things at the expense of making any savings or even going in to debt - so on a personal level I think I'm getting it right, but what about the social and environmental issues? Those are harder to reconcile really.

Its great you have control over your spending and don't go into debt, so good on you for it.

But yes, Buy Nothing Day is about raising the social and environmental issues around the extent of our consumerism, and these are hard to reconcile as we really are creating a lot of hardship and harm from what we do IMO. The idea of giving up shopping for a day is just to raise awareness. Feel free to join me if you like!

Kel x