'Enough is enough.' Ted Dave. You may have already enjoyed turkey, cranberry and pumpkin pie with your family on Thanksgiving Day. Traditionally in North America, Christmas lights start to wink at holiday shoppers immediately after Thanksgiving. Normally, smart shoppers take advantage of the Friday right after Thanksgiving Day, when most department stores start their Christmas sales. They camp out overnight for the early-bird specials offered by the shops that morning. While Christmas shoppers jostle for the best bargains, have you ever thought about a 'Buy Nothing Day'? The founders of Adbusters in Canada have celebrated the 'Buy Nothing Day' since 1992. They are joined by at least 13 countries every November, while another 65 are taking part in some kind of 'Buy Nothing Day'. The actual day may vary. In Europe, it should be the last Saturday in November, whereas in North America, it is the day after Thanksgiving, which was held on November 28 this year. On that day, you lock up your wallet and buy absolutely nothing for 24 hours. It is a day when you challenge yourself not to spend any money on shopping and switch your attention to your family and leading a simple life. We have been brainwashed into thinking that consumption is good for us and our economy. Commercials ram home the message through TV, radio, billboards, posters and websites. As a result, there is a lot of unnecessary spending, which is damaging our planet environmentally and ourselves, spiritually as well as mentally. And it is time to re-examine our materialistic ways. Today developed countries with only 20 per cent of the world's population consume more than 80 per cent of the earth's natural resources. We should try to consume less, recycle more. You have the right to query the products you buy and challenge the manufacturers who market them. Actually, people's daily choices and aspirations cannot be significantly affected by just one day - 'Buy Nothing Day'. There are still 363 days left in the year. It is more of a symbolic show of support for a less-materialistic society. Today people save a lot less than 20 years ago. 'Buy Nothing Day' should convey the concept of freedom of choice without over-spending. It is a good starting point to an ethical consumer culture. Dr Sze is the president of the Society of Registered Financial Planners If you have a money-related question, send it to yp@scmp.com with Money Matters as the subject
