BlogHer - Buy Nothing Day on Nov. 23 - Comments

YES, just start

alyssaroyse — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:22:48 -0600

Goodness, i didn't mean to dismiss the idea of getting started. BY ALL MEANS - start with one day and learn.... then bring that into the rest of your life, however slowly it happens.... For sure. Even a small step int eh right direction creates a big shift, if everyone does it. For sure!
___________
Alyssa Royse
JUST CAUSE
make some good news!
www.JustCauseIt.com

Start to change...

Cooking Up a Story — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:18:21 -0600

Why not start with one day? Okay, maybe one day does seem inconsequential. But at least it's a start to get people thinking and becoming aware of the spending, and what they are spending it on. In order for it to work, it has to become a societal change also.

Rebecca
http://cookingupastory.com/

couldn't agree more!

alyssaroyse — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 17:23:38 -0600

Yes indeed. It's a lifestyle decision, not a one-day whim. but then, i was raised by hippies in VW's. lucky me! now to see if i can instill the same values in my daughter - so far, so good.
___________
Alyssa Royse
JUST CAUSE
make some good news!
www.JustCauseIt.com

buying nothing frees the spirit

Mary Clare Hunt — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:43:46 -0600

Back in the olden days of the early 70s, we wanna-be hippies took great pride in buying nothing or making something last for a very long time. I had a red hooded sweatshirt that lived on my back for 5 years. It went nicely with the $2 army pants. That was when everything I owned fit into a VW bug. I still think less is more. Today's mantra should be buy something sustainable or buy nothing. The first keeps the economy going and the second sends a message.

Kinda like the gas boycott?

alyssaroyse — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:31:44 -0600

Although I understand the spirit behind this, in practice, isn't this just a little like the "Don't Buy Gas Today" thing that circulates the internet every now and then like a bad virus? One day just doesn't accomplish anything, especially since most people will make up for it with more spending the next day, or the day before.

that said, the motivation is sound. the idea that we do, in fact, vote with our dollars. that we buy too much, and too often. what can we do to get people to look at this in a holistic manner? only buy what you need - with the occasional "just because i want it" treat.

we consume to much, no doubt about it. but it's a pervasive habit and needs a pervasive solution.
___________
Alyssa Royse
JUST CAUSE
make some good news!
www.JustCauseIt.com

enabling video in comments

Denise — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:51:23 -0600

Any time you want to add video to a blog post or comment you need to click "input options" and select "full html".

I've enabled yours. :-)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Fast Times @ Homeschool High & Flamingo House Happenings

My comment

dms — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:28:47 -0600

Hello, the first comment I sent was a short video comment however it appears that this site needs to allow the widget to exist first. My question is why the ban on shopping on one day if people are going to shop anyway?

Dena

GET YOUR OWN BLIPBACK!

dms — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:24:00 -0600

GET YOUR OWN BLIPBACK!

Buy Nothing Day on Nov. 23

greenlagirl — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:34:43 -0600

So I've vowed not to write any more holiday shopping related posts until after Thanksgiving -- but I won't be writing about shopping on Nov. 23 either. Why? Nov. 23 is Buy Nothing Day!

What is Buy Nothing Day? It's a 24-hour moratorium on consumer spending -- held on the day after Thanksgiving, perhaps the most popular shopping day of the year.

So much to do on Buy Nothing Day -- and so free too! I forget what I did lat year, but the year before I was dogsitting a cute black dog called Joey. We went for a walk, ripped up a dollar bill (later re-taped to use on a different day), and finished a crossword puzzle --

Psyched for Buy Nothing Day? Start an event of your own! htstudent at Garden Route Therapy raves about a productive clothing exchange she went to last year. Christine Sine at Godspace big ups Make Something Day -- instead of shopping for stuff, learn a new skill and make something beautiful! And Stacy Stokes at eco street links you to many other interesting suggestions for making the day memorable.

And if you're in San Francisco, continue not shopping on Sat., Nov. 24 to attend the "Really Really Free Market" -- described as "a giant potluck, made up of ideas, food, music, books, skills, games and many other resources" where everything's absolutely free!

For more inspiration, go see "What Would Jesus Buy?," A new documentary by Morgan Spurlock (of "Supersize Me" fame) that's hitting theaters in the next few weeks. This film follows Rev. Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping through their hilarious assault on rampant consumer spending.

BlogHer Contributing Editor Siel also blogs for the Los Angeles Times at Emerald City, and at greenLAgirl.com.