Argumentative Essay: A Buy Nothing Day

A “Buy Nothing Day” sounds enlightening in theory, but would have a complicated set of outcomes in developed countries like the United States. Society today is built around the notion of having “stuff,” and often the newest, shiniest, and most expensive version of it. Everywhere we go, billboards, signs, TVs, and radios shout about the newest toy or car, the best deals on clothes and electronics, or play to people’s insecurities to sell them makeup and hair gel. Ditching the department stores, even for a day, would be a sign to the corporations that we function fine without them. It seems nice- a big “we’ll show you!” After all, stores need customers to function; however, if one logically considers the implications of BND, it becomes less and less plausible. I work for Target, and making projected sales doesn’t affect the big guys, but rather affects my coworkers and I. There used to be a tradition at my home store called Cereal Sundays. It was

Buy Less Week would function similarly to Buy Nothing Day, but would have a less severe impact on the working people. BLW would involve buying nothing except what you absolutely need- no desserts or “treat yourself”s (not even if the candle is almost seventy percent off). This way, if someone is out of toothpaste, then they can buy toothpaste that day. Businesses would have heads up that sales would be down for a week, and would be asked to avoid reactionary decisions to seeing the numbers. Buy Less Week would also bring more attention to the goal of Buy Nothing Day. It’s much easier to resist temptation for one day than it is to resist it for a week. One day doesn’t change lives, and even only a week might not. However, people will notice a greater difference in their lives if they cut out the unnecessary splurges. Extending the holiday-of-sorts better highlights the excessive consumerism that everyday people participate