>> I was all set to buy nothing today, to celebrate Buy Nothing Day, aka Black Friday.
>> I even put together a list of four fun things to do on Buy Nothing Day and planned on taking my own advice –
>> Things fell apart because I had to get to NPR’s offices in Culver City this morning — and you know how it’s tough to get in and out of Culver City via public transit…. I rented a car — and when I rent a car, I have to run all my car errands that day. So I stopped by Trader Joe’s and Livingreen….
>> Then I came home and Zach had sent me a great blog post about how to save the world by doing nothing — i.e. driving less and having less stuff — and I felt guilty….
>> Then I read a post by Colin Beavin, aka No Impact Man, about how Christmas with with no presents made for an amazingly good time — and felt even guiltier.
>> At least everything I bought is edible (from Trader Joe’s) and immediately usable (eco-friendly carpet cleaner from Livingreen). I didn’t get conned by any of the Six Black Friday bargains to avoid.
I hope your Buy Nothing Day’s going better than mine –
I bought a cup of coffee and a vegan cookie today. But did no shopping. And I wrote 7,500 words on my novel.
Comment by cybele — November 28, 2008 @ 9:08 pm
OK, so when are you going to be on NPR?
Comment by Don Hosek — November 29, 2008 @ 12:11 am
Went out for diet soda which is a normal buy.
Comment by David Rice — November 29, 2008 @ 5:13 am
And at least you didn’t kill anyone like those idiots who could not wait to get into Walmart did! Human life for cheap plastic – sounds like a fair exchange to me!
Comment by David — November 29, 2008 @ 8:05 am
I had to run out that day to the little market up the street because I didn’t have any food in the house but didn’t buy anything else.
I think it’s better that you did errands since you had to get the car anyway. It would have been kind of wasteful to only use the car for the interview.
Comment by Kim Woodbridge — December 1, 2008 @ 11:38 am
I agree with David. You had the car, so it made sense to get some errands done. Trip-chaining, as it were. And it’s not like you were buying presents, just food and carpet cleaner. So give yourself a gold (green?) star for not buying something that you (or anyone else) didn’t want or need!
I admit that I bought a cup of coffee (in my own travel mug, of course) but nothing else.
I loved your piece on NPR, by the way.
Comment by Judie — December 1, 2008 @ 12:12 pm
Don — That was on Sunday….
David — I am always shocked and puzzled by the fact that people get killed at these shopping events — and that people keep going!
All the food’s been eaten and the carpet’s been cleaned, so I def. didn’t buy anything I didn’t need :)
Comment by Siel — December 3, 2008 @ 5:57 pm