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Is anyone skipping Black Friday and celebrating Buy Nothing Day instead?

post #1 of 11
11/19/09 at 4:36pm
Thread Starter 
I've skipped Black Friday every year for most of my adult life; one because I hate shopping when it's crowded, well I don't even like it when it's chill but I also don't love the whole idea of a holiday (or basically what's become a national holiday) being based on consumption.

One if alternative if you're not on board with Black Friday is Buy Nothing Day. Buy Nothing Day was launched, I believe, about 18 years ago by the good folks at Adbusters.

According to Adbusters, following are the basics of Buy Nothing Day...

"So this November 27 (November 28 in Europe and overseas), we’re calling for a Wildcat General Strike. We’re asking tens of millions of people around the world to bring the capitalist consumption machine to a grinding – if only momentary – halt. We want you to not only stop buying for 24 hours, but to shut off your lights, televisions and other nonessential appliances. We want you to park your car, turn off your phones and log off of your computer for the day. We’re calling for a Ramadan-like fast. From sunrise to sunset we’ll abstain en masse, not only from holiday shopping, but from all the temptations of our five-planet lifestyles."


I can't remember in past years if they've focused on turning off lights and computers too - which I'm not sure captures the idea behind Buy Nothing Day as well as simply avoiding shopping does. Also if you happen to have to work for an hour or two that Friday, and you work online, that's pretty much impossible. I DO agree with their take on not shopping for the day. I think it's a much nicer deal to spend as much of the day with your family as you can - especially if you have the day off.

I usually post this as a challenge at one of my blogs, but didn't this year, so I'm curious who is participating or not. I usually get a mixed bag. Some people who LOVE Black Friday and think I'm nuts, and others who hate it so they like the idea. I just personally don't feel like Black Friday is very green-friendly or stress-free.

What about you? Are you a Black Friday avoider or do you like it? 
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post #2 of 11
11/19/09 at 7:19pm
We were going to until our second hand slow cooker died. We found an add to buy a new one for $18.00 during black friday, (normally $60)  Since the slow cooker saves a lot over the oven we feel it a necessity.  ( so my wife gets to get up at 4:00 am!)
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post #3 of 11
11/19/09 at 8:54pm
Thread Starter 
Wow, that is a good deal on a slow cooker. I think your reasoning is rational too. Slow cookers do save a lot. I hope they have enough in stock though!
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post #4 of 11
11/19/09 at 9:15pm
I will do as normal on black Friday. I am generally against holiday type things (except for Valentines Day) and even more against protest things. 

Good thinking whirnot! Get a good deal and get out of going into the cold cruel world at that hour as well!

Have you explained this to your wife yet? Could be she has a different plan in her mind.

Don't have a slow cooker now but I always plan on buying one when I come across something interesting.
 
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post #5 of 11
11/20/09 at 9:58am
Thread Starter 
@Russ - cool, you sound just like my boyfriend. He's exactly like that - against most holidays and more so protests. We agree to disagree :)

I actually am down on most holidays too, but like Buy Nothing Day. I'm currently trying to find a way to make Christmas more meaningful too because there are aspects I like about it, just not all the commercial stuff.
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post #6 of 11
11/20/09 at 10:00am
Actually after thinking about it, She may have to work that day. So it will be me out there at the crack of dawn. Yes we use the slow cooker a lot in the winter, soups and stews. But only on cloudy days! The Sun Oven is still the cooker of choice! Sure wish they made a jumbo size though, we like to make huge batches and freeze them for later.  Yeah I know, I could build my own, but I tend to have too many projects. (such as solar heaters)
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post #7 of 11
11/20/09 at 10:39am
And actually my figures were wrong. The slow cooker is $12.88. normally $49.99
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post #8 of 11
11/20/09 at 2:11pm
I did the whole shopping thing for a couple of years. I never even got stuff for myself, I would do it for other people in my family that wanted good deals. I'm not really sure why I did that....I guess it was kind of like a mission, and I only hit the odd places not places like Wal-mart or Pennies. I took my list and I proudly paraded around with a sense of accomplishment. I don't think I've ever been to a place that had more than 20 people in line, so I guess I didn't get the real experience :)

Anyways the last couple of years, I've packed up leftovers and literally taken a hike :) We go to a park and hike and have a picnic just me, my fiance, and the dogs. It's quite nice actually, very peaceful, and in Arkansas it is perfect hiking weather, slightly chilly but not freezing.
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post #9 of 11
11/20/09 at 3:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by srj0385 View Post

 I don't think I've ever been to a place that had more than 20 people in line, so I guess I didn't get the real experience :)

Anyways the last couple of years, I've packed up leftovers and literally taken a hike :) We go to a park and hike and have a picnic just me, my fiance, and the dogs. It's quite nice actually, very peaceful, and in Arkansas it is perfect hiking weather, slightly chilly but not freezing.

Yeah, I think unless you hit a major shopping center or mall it's not quite the same. One year about um, maybe 7 years ago my sister, who does like to shop dragged me along for BF and it was such a nightmare. HUGE lines and crowds and I swore I'd never do it again.

Your hike sounds really good. Much better than the crazy mall. I literally always get lost in malls - I think they make the stores look all the same on purpose so you do get lost for hours.
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post #10 of 11
11/21/09 at 5:26am
@ Jennifer, In the early 80's when Turkey had a military dictatorship problem and my wife was in the university she was a rather staunch communist and group leader. All the back room stuff, protests, clandestine activities and dirty tricks were the call of the day. 

Whenever we get together with her university classmates they love to tell war stories about those times. I guess you were either a member of the communists or of the fascists - not much middle ground.

As I am more center right than that we have some interesting differences where we agree to disagree. We just figure we have far more in common than we have differences so no big problem.

She turned out to be a decent capitalist in the end so the 'good guys' won - LOL.

 
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post #11 of 11
11/23/09 at 10:01pm
 On Black Friday it was great for me!  Tourists would be tired of Summer and stay home, shoppers would go across town for the sales, and I would have a fairly empty and peaceful road.  This year with new stores (Safeway, CVS, New Leaf) in the area I just cannot know.

About 6 months ago I splurged about $40. for a new toaster.  Last week a lot of appliances are a draw to bring in customers Friday.  There it was!  My beautiful toaster!  $ FIVE BUCKS $ ?????

I think I'm going to cry...........    
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