A Shopaholic Nightmare

Lock up your wallets and purses, cut up your credit cards and dump the love of your life - shopping.

Saturday 26th November 2011 will be the next Buy Nothing Day (UK).

Could you go a whole day without buying anything?

It's a day where you challenge yourself, your family and friends to switch off from shopping and tune into life. The rules are simple - for 24 hours you will detox from shopping and anyone can take part provided they spend a day without spending!

Everything we buy has an impact on the environment, Buy Nothing Day highlights the environmental and ethical consequences of consumerism.

The developed countries - only 20% of the world population are consuming over 80% of the earth's natural resources, causing a disproportionate level of environmental damage, and an unfair distribution of wealth.

As consumers we need to question the products we buy and challenge the companies who produce them.

What are the true risks to the environment and developing countries?

We all know recycling is OK for the the environment, but consuming less is better and Buy Nothing Day is a great way to start.

No purchase necessary!

People around the UK will make a pact with themselves to take a break from consumption as a personal experiment or public statement and the best thing is...IT'S FREE!!!

Tags: Green, Out & About. Monday, October 24, 2011 - 12:46
Picture by © Petr Kratochvil
trixiescott's picture
I've been struggling about
Submitted by trixiescott (not verified) on Mon, 2012-03-19 06:02.

I've been struggling about this for so long. And overspending has been my habit since I was a student until I graduated. I cannot control myself buying things unnecessarily. Spending too much money is something almost everybody does every once in a while but when it becomes a habit that leaves us short, in this time of financial strife, it can be a severe issue. By examining the mental forces influencing spending too much money, some of the behaviour can be curtailed. Some simple rules for spending can also help.

j-bar03's picture
Buy Nothing Day
Submitted by j-bar03 (not verified) on Wed, 2011-10-05 14:07.

I love Buy Nothing Day! It's a day to really focus on what we *want* as opposed to what we *need*.

It just so happens to be the weekend before my birthday so I always get something handmade, upcycled, freecycled or a good deed instead of a shop bought pressie.

Consuming less isn't about going without. It's about making better choices when we do buy.

If you remain unconvinced watch The Story of Stuff - it's a real eye-opener.