It's Buy Nothing Day at the Weekend

It’s official Buy Nothing Day on 28 November (27 November in the US). I had been looking forward to being a part of this global coming together for the first time, but the fact that it’s Saturday presents a bit of a problem. 

I’ve really cut down on spending over the last twelve months, so much so that almost every day seems like a buy nothing day. However, we haven’t had any fruit or veg - apart from a couple of lemons and a few bruised apples - in the house for almost a week now and I’d earmarked Saturday morning to pick some up at the market. Changing my plans would be complicated as the market is held on Saturdays and Wednesdays only, there was no time during the week and I had arranged to take my friend - and her dog.

At first I thought about ignoring the fact that it’s Buy Nothing Day and tried to convince myself that it didn't matter as I buy so little now anyway. However, after mulling this over I realised that this was exactly the point. You change your plans, particularly on this day, so that you can be part of a worldwide commitment to consume and waste less!

Buy Nothing Day was invented by Vancouver artist Ted Dave - to remind the consumer and retailer of the true buying power of the public - and was first held on 24 September 1992. With the help of Adbusters this boycott of all things monetary caught on and now people in over 50 countries worldwide participate.

So, I texted my friend (and her dog) to tell her we wouldn’t be going to the market and reorganised when we’d get our fruit and veg. And I was feeling pleased with myself, rearranging my plans hadn't been so bad! But then I read that this year the Wildcat General Strike is calling for lights, televisions and other nonessential appliances to be turned off too.

Yes, I’ll change my shopping plans and work on the computer on Sunday instead, but on Saturday evening, no matter how great the guilt complex, I don't think I could bear to miss X Factor! At least if I Sky Plus it I can fast forward the ads!