Ever heard of Buy Nothing Day? This holiday occurs in North America the Friday after Thanksgiving, also known as the sacred Black Friday, and the following day internationally. Founder, Ted Dave, started the protest against consumerism in Canada, and people still love taking part in it.
We favor it at UVM actually, with free food, free donated clothes, free CDs, and other various items offered in front of the Davis Center. It’s a good time actually, and really displays how active the UVM community really is with social and economic issues.
So what if I took it to Buy Nothing Day to a whole new level? I mean, most people’s spending habits today do nothing but harm themselves, as well as their bank accounts anyway. Testing out a Buy Nothing Week will only act as a self improvement technique with money management and not giving into Consumer America everyday of our lives.
Although, I do have a few exceptions. First, I am allowed to use my meal plan for meals only. No snacks or unnecessary goods in which I am only purchasing to satisfy a craving. Secondly, I do not include school, medical, or any miscellaneous bills in which I am required to pay (No sense in doing further harm). Lastly, I do allow myself to donate money.
Progressively, I’ve learned the meaning of a dollar and how to make use of what I already have. So give a personal Buy Nothing Week a shot! There’s no better way to make a personal and public statement with your own money.
Want to check out the history of Buy Nothing Day?
Click here to see the Facebook event!