2009/07/16

KUALA LUMPUR: How many of us get away with not spending a sen on a working day? 

Well, today is the day to try, for it is "Buy Nothing Day".

Federation of Malaysian Consumer Organisations (Fomca) knows that it may be difficult not to buy food, pay toll or fill up the petrol tank, but the organiser hopes people will at least stop and think about what they spend, and cut down. 

 "We are known to buy branded items or other things just for the sake of buying.

"If you have to buy a bulb, buy an energy-saving one, or cut down on water usage.

"Do something to make a difference," said Fomca national coordinator Paul Selvaraj.

He hopes that by thinking about how we spend, we can avoid bad debts and bank-ruptcy. "Some of our bankrupts are below 30. People should learn to differentiate between needs and wants to avoid overspending." 

Selvaraj said the association joined the worldwide "Buy Nothing Day" movement last year. Developed countries in Europe, North America and Asia have been holding it annually for more than a decade. 

Fomca adopted it last year with the theme, "Change Begins with Me". 

Sieh Shen-Myin, 23, loves shopping, but said she was willing to give up a day to support "Buy Nothing Day". 

The financial analyst said she would not visit shopping malls and would only buy the things she needed. 

"It is an interesting idea. It is a reality check on my shopping patterns." 

Law student Kiang Lee Lian hopes women will use the day to reflect on their spending habits. "I find a lot of women buy more than what they need. It is an emotional disease."

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/articles/15mkn/Article/index_html