apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

wow. the other AT sites are reminding us about the "buy nothing" pledge.

yeah, well this is LA after all ;)

To be fair, I think there are a great many of folks who depend on the Black Friday sales for their major purchases, and these outrageous sales can be an important day for those who've saved and waited all year for the lowest prices.

Is it better not to purchase on one designated day or better to be a more conservative consumer for the rest of the 364 days? I'd lean toward buying the best you can afford, while buying less overall, Black Friday/Buy Nothing Day or not.

Rather than supporting corporations slashing their already low prices (due to exploitative subsidized foreign labor), support a good cause.

BUY NOTHING this Friday.

Think about the overall cost of something, not just how many schillings you personally have to dish out for it. Everyday.

In addition to Buy Nothing Day, I suggest Buy Secondhand. After the spenders buy the new stuff, I'm sure there will be lots of good stuff showing up on Craigslist and at the secondhand stores. That's where you will find ME shopping after a holiday.

This is the first I've heard of "Buy Nothing" Day. I'm not sure that I'm all that into it. I may head down to Kolhs for that Roomba vacuum I really can't afford at full price. And last year, when our old TV from the 80s finally broke down, we scored a 52 projection TV. I think it's great for those of us making major purchases. Yes, stores are making a ton of money, but think about the mark up... and how much you are saving. As long as someone is willing to pay big bucks for something, no matter how much it cost to make it and how much people are getting paid to make it, that what it's going to sell at. Whether it's right or wrong, it's business. A store owner is going to make the most possible, as we are going to pay the least possible. This is the opportunity to do that.

Maybe you don't need that Roomba vaccum or the projection TV. Try living without the television. I recommend it, it's wonderful not being constantly advertised to. The point of Buy Nothing day is to get people to think about their consumer habits on a day-to-day basis, not just for one day a year. When you think about how much you are saving, stop to think about what went into the production of that necessity you are purchasing, how many people worked around the clock in sub-standard working conditions to get it to you, how much fossil fuel was used in it's transport to you, the packaging... everything. Then, ask yourself, do I really need this? If so, could I buy something second-hand and save on all of that waste, instead? This is the opportunity to inspire change.

Can I sign up for Don't-Self-Righteously-Inflict-Your-Personal-Life-Choices-on-Other-People Day? "Stop watching TV!" Maybe some people are capable of watching the occasional TV show *and* reading books/newspapers and having social lives. I don't know about Juliet, but I've been sweeping my floors with a broom for fifteen years and it hasn't made me a better person.

It's one thing to try to be informed about labor practices and environmental costs and to try to buy wisely. It's another thing entirely to preach about it.

Consumerism *is* out of control in our society, and I actually applaud the idea behind Buy Nothing Day--but not people trying to shame others into complying. Especially not people for whom a, say, $1500 TV is at an "already low price" (as far as I'm concerned a $1500 TV marked down to $1000 is still an obscene and laughable price, but there are those who call it a good deal).

BTW- didn't buy the Roomba... and yes because I didn't need it. However, sweeping floors isn't going to work with wall to wall carpet and a dog.
Kev, thumbs up to you for going without a TV. I personally, could not and would not live without one. I like vegging out on the couch to some CSI and Law & Order, especially after a 60 hour work week. And yes I read, about a book a week. And I also have a social life.
I don't think people sit around and consume consume consume. Most people I know, college graduates in their early 20s, don't make a ton of money and use opportunities like today to purchase things that are otherwise out of their price range. We shouldn't be thought of as lazy or greedy or cheap.
Second hand is great... for people who like that type of thing. I buy tons of vintage furniture because I like it. I think it's important to find new more eco-friendly ways of creating things, but I'm not going to just stop buying new things all together. Shaming people who work hard for their money and purchase a luxury item on sale is the wrong way of doing it.