It's BUY NOTHING DAY!!!!

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

In my ever-widening Starve the Beast program, I have started trying to avoid ALL advertising in my life. I said "trying" because it's harder than I ever thought.

I rarely ever watch commercial TV, but when I do, I used to mute the commercials. Well, you still SEE them, so I've started wandering out of the room so I won't see them either. What happens? I start playing foosball with my daughter in the den, or I finish up the dishes, or get on the phone, or whatever and I find that, not only have I missed the rest of the show I was watching, I missed the show after THAT, too. It's a great way of cutting down on your TV watching.

When junk ads come in the mail, they go straight to the recycling bin. No more "hmm, wonder if there's a good sale going on?" Nope, they aren't even so much as glanced at.

Billboards are inescapable, don't really know what to do about them.

I've even found a back route to my street that is SHORTER than the one I previously took and I only go through residential areas, not the Mammoth Commercial/Shopping Area three blocks near my house.

I'm not even buying gas or groceries today! How about you? (I've never gone shopping on this day, anyway, I'd rather have the Chinese Water Torture than shop today.)

[gollygee]

1. I bought some beer

That's it so far.

It was Canadian beer.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

2. Well at least

it was Canadian beer! LOL!

[edbermac]

12. It better have been Elsinore beer, you hoser...

How's it going, eh?

OK, well, uh, we found, uh, this mouse in a bottle of YOUR beer, eh. Like, we was at a party and, uh, a friend of ours - a COP - had some, and he PUKED. And he said, uh, come here and get free beer or, uh, he'll press charges.

If I didn't have puke breath, I'd kiss you.

I gotta take a leak so bad I can taste it.

[gollygee]

16. ROFL

LaBatts Blue, ya hoser

[realisticphish]

34. DAD! Bob broke your beer!

:) love that movie...

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[slackmaster]

3. I bought an electric motor and a bandsaw blade over the Internet

If I leave home today it will be for a beer run. I won't go near the malls.

[RevolutionaryActs]

4. I'm poor and I dont have the car today, so ALRIGHTY! hehe

Actually, I think I've only ever been out the day after Thanksgiving once, years ago when I was little.

[liberalmuse]

5. Buying nothing today.

Not even gas. I needed some tortilla chips, but am baking my own instead w/some corn tortillas I found in the fridge.

[alexisfree]

26. I need some tortillas..

but I will go to this very small mexican store.

[miss_kitty]

6. Here' s a link about Buy Nothing Day

http://www.adbusters.org/metas/eco/bnd/

Also a shameless link posting for the Economic Activism and Progressive Living Group in the DU group thinger

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=255

[AuntiBush]

7. Congrats

I walked my dog today - in a park at that! Watched everyone flying by me, coming and going on this busy "Black Friday" and felt really good that I didn't buy anything. Not, after midnight tonight, I'm heading for that website that sells those great T-shirts (i.e.) like an arrow pointing a 43 saying "I'm not with him!"

Congrats. No shopping equals more time for your kid.

[Goathead]

8. I will not buy ANYTHING today

I plan on going for a long hike. As for billboards, just read 'The Monkey Wrench Gang' by Edward Abbey, you'll find your answer in there.;-)

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

13. Duly noted, thanks.

[Cobalt Violet]

9. I was so tempted today.

I had a 60% of one item coupon from Micheal's and I wanted to by a $25.00 tube of Cobalt Blue oil paint for less than $10.00 but I didn't.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

14. Good for you!

Is the coupon still good tomorrow?

[Cobalt Violet]

20. No.

It was only good from 6:00 am to 8:00 am.



But there is a 50% off coupon for tommorrow.(I swear I didn't know that until just now when I looked at the flier again.) But I may buy nothing but food all weekend.

[Paradise]

10. I'm celebrating Buy Nothing Day! n/t

[InvisibleTouch]

11. Gotta go to the post office...

...but that's it for me today. And I'll admit, there was a time when I rather enjoyed going to the mall on the day after Thanksgiving. But this year, not only do I not need anything, but can't afford anything (thanks, Dubya), so no sense tempting myself. And no sense supporting the corrupt system.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

15. True

and I just read the article in LBN about the dollar hitting yet another "new low."

How soon until the supposed administration starts urging all "good 'Mericans" to go out and SPENDSPENDSPEND!!! Prop up the dollar! Prop up the economy! Who cares if most of the stuff you buy is cheap crap made with sweatshop labor? Who cares if most of us have very little money in savings and debt out our wazoos? SPENDSPENDSPEND!

How will YOU resist the message?

I fully plan on thinking "fuck you" in my head anytime that message gets anywhere near me (which will be hard considering I don't watch the news....but if it does).

[InvisibleTouch]

28. How to resist

No kidding about the debts. :/ I heard John Edwards speak at a rally back in July, and he pretty much described the situation a lot of people are in: "Not only can't you put anything aside for savings, but you're also in debt." I was thinking, yeah, he's talking to me. He hasn't forgotten what that was like, even though he's made his fortune by now.

As for how to resist the relentless urge to spend, the seduction of "gotta have it" - my only failsafe solution is not to let myself even see it. "Self-discipline" isn't exactly my strong suit. So knowing that, I'll just avoid the temptation altogether. Truthfully there's very little I need ... so I just have to avoid a fatal case of the "I wants."

[AuntiBush]

17. Age of WALMART on TV right now

Yup, over an hour long, just begun entitled "The Age of Wal-Mart: Inside America's Most Powerful..." CNBC. I gotta turn this off - they're bragging that their motto is "we're tough, but balanced." Grrrrrggggg....

[mongo]

18. Sorry - just don't get it.

I'm a capitalist. I believe in free enterprise. I like to shop - I'll be out there on Sunday which is my day off.

I can see boycotting companies that support causes that you don't agree with or have bad business practices. But what is the point of buy nothing day?

As a small independent retailer, I count on the holiday season to make it through the rest of the year.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

21. Sorry

I just don't get buying and buying and buying when most Americans are up to their eyeballs in debt and have almost no savings.

I don't see how that is fiscally sound or good for capitalism either.

That being said, I hope you have a good holiday season, especially because you are a small independent retailer. You guys are the only ones I WILL support.

[Jehanatu]

19. Good Luck!

I wish you the best in your endeavors! :toast:

[Smirking_Chimp]

22. I buy from local mom and pops.

I avoid big chains, wal-mart, home depot, and go to the local hardware store, appliance, and such.

[candy]

23. Me too----shop locally is the best way----better service too.

I even buy large items(air conditioners,refrigerators) etc. from local places. I want them to stay in business.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

24. You know what I've been quite saddened to find?

There almost ARE no mom and pops left around here!!!

Forget about small hardware stores, they left here long ago.

Small coffee houses? Nope, one opened a while back and closed up the other day. Easy come, easy go.

I am actually hard-pressed to FIND mom and pop ANYTHING anymore.

:cry:

[mr.jack]

25. I'm with you, Moonbeam!

Infact, out Christmas is going to be really low key. I told Mike all I want is to finish painting the fricken house, maybe an alive tree, Mass and a small dinner.


Oh pooh, Mike was logged in. Hi, it's Margie.

[alexisfree]

27. no shopping..here

well except my tortillas...but other than that I have no need to go and feel miserable!, I feel so good!!!!!!!. :bounce:

[rene moon]

29. Sorry, I bought gas today

I had to---or I would have never gone anywhere. Plus, I got my haircut too.

[Floogeldy]

30. I definitely won't go shopping

On principle!

[Contrary1]

33. Floogeldy: O/T

A few days ago you were looking for a link to a video.
This may be the one you needed:

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article5365.htm

[Floogeldy]

36. That's the one!

Thanks for remembering and posting. It is appreciated.

Floog

[xerox]

31. Yep

I bought nothing, and a roundtuit, on sale for 20 bucks.

[Nicole]

32. You couldn't pay me to shop today

Aside from the political reasons, I hate to be in crowds of germy people this time of year. They will be spreading the flu virus all over the damn place!

[China_cat]

35. Didn't have any choice

needed insulin.

[nickgutierrez]

37. Shopping on the day after Thanksgiving IS the Chinese water torture.

Long lines = more idiots.

:)

[Breeze54]

38. I must confess..I posted BND but joined the rest......

I am an advocate of BND but I did buy my son a haircut.
He really needed one so he can keep his part-time job..
But I didn't go to a chain store..we went to a local business.
I hope I will be redeemed!!
LOL!
Otherwise...I BOUGHT NOTHING TODAY!!

BOYCOTT CHRISTMAS!!
. org