I quit using Amazon in December, 2024. Jeff Bezos doesn't need my money. I live in a rural area, and have to drive 45 minutes to shop in any direction, other than a tiny Kroger grocery, which is 12 miles from my house. Amazon was easy and convenient, but a drain on the planet and my resources. I truly think, as a recent widow, this is one of the wisest financial decisions I've made.
Thanks for sharing Laura’s thoughts! I’ve been avidly following her work for a few years now, ever since I saw you mention her. She has great ideas!
I am 99% broken up with Amazon as well. Once I started doing a 24-hour rule with my online shopping, that helped tremendously with all shopping sites. Most of the time, I never ended up purchasing what was saved in my cart or wishlist. I just decided I didn’t really need the item or found something I already had that would work. For the couple of much loved skin and hair care products I had been buying on Amazon because I never found them in local stores, I just went back to the product page on Amazon and looked up the company or distributor name. Both sets of products could be purchased for about the same price on the company’s website directly. It just meant waiting a few extra days for shipping.
Move to Lisbon!! I use it NEVER. And now I don't miss it al all.. The first month or 2 was like "HOW do people BUY anything here!?" (mom of 3 young kids) and now I'm like 'OMG I've saved more money in my adult life these past 19 months than the past 5 years combined' bc you're just not bombarded with GET THIS NOW content over here" Our brains are so wired to "buy, get more, need this now, etc" when we see ads and influencers with their "hauls" but it's unreal how when you are removed from it.. your brain and habits also adjust. Great newsletter and MISS YOU!!!!
WOW. I am on my way!! I have another friend who moved abroad and claims she never even THINKS about shopping anymore. It's such a way of life here in the US!
This is amazing. I cut back on Amazon in 2020, in part, due to what I suspect is a huge number of counterfeit products. I order online from Target, Barnes & Noble, etc., which probably run through and Amazon server but feels slightly better and of course shop locally when possible. Would love a detailed post on how to avoid Whole Foods esp. in suburbia.
I first became aware when I was working at Parents a decade ago: Aden & Anais the baby swaddle/blanket company was trying to fight the counterfeit products on Amazon and just hemorrhaging money doing so. I learned that beauty & skincare products are also often fake firsthand.
I think people make the assumption if they can't participate in something 100%, they shouldn't do it at all or it's a complete failure. That's not true!! Even a 20% reduction is significant for business sales. We can see the results with what's going on with Target and Costco and their market shares. If aligned spending is important to you, give it a try. It's like any good habit like exercise or eating healthier. Kind of an inconvenience at first but over time, it becomes easier and saves money too.
As an aside, I'm working on spending less time on insta but I do love this quick, daily financial reminder. Katia is so adorable and says things like your sweet grandma. "You do not need that thing at Walmart. You do not need to go to TJMaxx. You don't need more stuff. You are just bored! Bored. Go clean your car. Go!" And you know what? I totally hear her voice in my head and it helps! @economikat
I loved this article - thank you! We’ve been living and traveling on a sailboat for nearly a year (with two teens) and it has really made us rethink how we spend and consume - and where our waste goes (we’ve literally seen the worst trash on the most beautiful beaches in the world). We keep coming back to “use what you’ve got for as long as you can”, and that has served us really well.
This may be an unpopular opinion- but for this reasons I don’t think I can fully break up with Amazon even though I want to while living in the Bay Area. In my option some of the suggestions in this article seem unrealistic.
My local shops very rarely have items in stock that I need. Requesting they order items is a not always possible.
Countless times I have gone to the hardware store, home & garden shops, Walgreens/ CVS, box stores, or stationery shops in my area and have come home with only some of what I needed or worse empty handed. Frustrated and tired, with wasted time & gas (well over $5 gallon) and still have a list to purchase. Running around for a couple of hours in traffic, since shops are not close enough to walk to-
and hoping to find items is a waste of time and resources.
Impressive that Laura is never getting take out food & sleeping 8 hours a night.
My take away is to try to just reduce online shopping as best you can.
I live in SF and feel similarly. I try to support my local neighborhood businesses, but also value the time savings of ordering on Amazon. That said, I have some room to improve on reducing impulse buys and packaging.
Thanks for this! I'm post-break-up w/ Amazon, but been on the brink of booty calling lately, and this will help my resolve to shop local/ mail-order elsewhere! :)
Love Laura and these ideas! I have largely broken up with Amazon except for the Whole Foods/Amazon Fresh grocery delivery. It has fundamentally changed my life. They always have everything in stock, delivery comes in reasonable timeframes and usually there is a spot available within 24 hours. The prices are the same or sometimes cheaper than in stores, and they deliver in paper bags unlike the other grocery delivery services I've tried. With two full time working parents and two young kids, this delivery service has been amazing for us. I desperately want to quit it to fully live my values, but I'm having a really difficult time. I think the answer is that I just need to go back to some discomfort (E.g. finding time to shop in store), but if anyone has any other recommended grocery delivery services, I'm all ears.
I do actually love shopping in person for groceries (especially produce) and have made it a Sunday ritual to shop for the week at our favorite local market, sans children. We live across the street from Whole Foods (which is way too convenient) but doing our best to stick to Berkeley Bowl which is independently owned and a true treasure!
I use a delivery service in NYC when our schedules get hectic, so I understand! Are there other options that deliver near you that you could try instead? Or could you do one big shop a week like Shira does?
I can't say that I quit Amazon but rather it quitted me. What do I mean? Well, I have not made a purchase on Amazon in a couple of years now. I buy when I can and lately that's next to impossible. So what has happened? I can't submit reviews of book purchased or anything since I have not spent a minimum of $50 this year or years before. Perhaps that is a good thing because I am not making a fool of myself on Amazon with reviews that I so desperately need.
I do miss the products that I would buy from merchants on Amazon and I don't like to feel that when an Amazon truck is our yard that they are against me for not making a purchase to contribute to that driver's employment stability, yet, there's a large Amazon warehouse on the highway on opposite side or furthest from us here; I at times wonder if some residing in the lot work at that warehouse; having dibs on those who do purchase on Amazon using Prime and those who don't.
When Amazon started they were a much better brand than they are now; and most importantly Bezos doe not need our menial hard earned money. His footprint on the planet is not calamity since I believe he is one for exuberance and not for the planet, but I could be wrong.
Shira, thank you. Your life edit gets me to think in ways that I would not have. Happy Earth Day!
Very inspiring! You and Laura are my two favorite resources for living small and with less! I love that you’re friends! I’m going to try a no-Amazon for 30 days challenge to see how that goes as a start! Baby steps!!! We’re in a 1,200 sq ft home in the Bay Area as a family of 4 (much younger kids), so I feel a kindred connection with both of your lives!
i've tried to reduce Amazon purchases, but eliminating completely with three kids and a full schedule is really tricky for me. My daughter's dance team uses Amazon to buy bulk costumes and accessories - our local dance store doesn't have the same options. I can push back (and have!) on using Temu for this, but Amazon is still the preferred method for buying 20+ dancers the same items. For class parties, the room parents often list a link to Amazon for folks to buy items for the classroom, same with teacher wish lists. I feel like I could eliminate Amazon if it was just me, but with a family it makes it trickier.
Loved this. Laura, I’m curious about how you food shop. Is Whole Foods also out bc of the Amazon connection? Do you feel other chain grocery stores are equally culpable? Is Trader Joe’s on the okay list for you? (I know lots of people feel Costco is on the nice list but without a car and storage space it’s challenging and the environment kills me and we have the coop, though I struggle to avoid quick runs to WF.) Do you mostly shop at the food coop or independent grocers and also use farm shares and farmers markets? Thank you for any insight.
I live in New York City, so I just walk to the grocery stores near my home (they're all NYC specific chains or independents). I am an enthusiastic member of Costco (and I live in a 690-square foot apartment). And I do shop at Trader Joe's when I am near one. I'm also a member of a CSA for vegetables, which is expensive, but something I am happy to support.
I use the free streaming services that come with my library card - Hoopla and Kanopy. They have thousands of movies, TV shows and music. PBS kids is a free, ad-free option for kids. We have a large wall-mounted computer monitor for viewing. I do free workout and yoga videos on YouTube too. You can totally do it!
I quit using Amazon in December 2024 too. I go out to get what I need, buy it directly from the source (ie buy the coffee from the coffee shop) or I don't buy it at all. It has not been hard but I live in a city with lots of options and grown children who I don't have to drag kicking and screaming to the grocery store.
I quit using Amazon in December, 2024. Jeff Bezos doesn't need my money. I live in a rural area, and have to drive 45 minutes to shop in any direction, other than a tiny Kroger grocery, which is 12 miles from my house. Amazon was easy and convenient, but a drain on the planet and my resources. I truly think, as a recent widow, this is one of the wisest financial decisions I've made.
WOW. If you can do it in a rural area, I have no excuses as a city-dweller!! Thanks so much for sharing - very inspiring! x
Thanks for sharing Laura’s thoughts! I’ve been avidly following her work for a few years now, ever since I saw you mention her. She has great ideas!
I am 99% broken up with Amazon as well. Once I started doing a 24-hour rule with my online shopping, that helped tremendously with all shopping sites. Most of the time, I never ended up purchasing what was saved in my cart or wishlist. I just decided I didn’t really need the item or found something I already had that would work. For the couple of much loved skin and hair care products I had been buying on Amazon because I never found them in local stores, I just went back to the product page on Amazon and looked up the company or distributor name. Both sets of products could be purchased for about the same price on the company’s website directly. It just meant waiting a few extra days for shipping.
Really great tips - we have gotten so used to instant gratification we have to retrain ourselves to remember that face wash is never an emergency!!
Move to Lisbon!! I use it NEVER. And now I don't miss it al all.. The first month or 2 was like "HOW do people BUY anything here!?" (mom of 3 young kids) and now I'm like 'OMG I've saved more money in my adult life these past 19 months than the past 5 years combined' bc you're just not bombarded with GET THIS NOW content over here" Our brains are so wired to "buy, get more, need this now, etc" when we see ads and influencers with their "hauls" but it's unreal how when you are removed from it.. your brain and habits also adjust. Great newsletter and MISS YOU!!!!
WOW. I am on my way!! I have another friend who moved abroad and claims she never even THINKS about shopping anymore. It's such a way of life here in the US!
This is amazing. I cut back on Amazon in 2020, in part, due to what I suspect is a huge number of counterfeit products. I order online from Target, Barnes & Noble, etc., which probably run through and Amazon server but feels slightly better and of course shop locally when possible. Would love a detailed post on how to avoid Whole Foods esp. in suburbia.
YES, people don't talk about that issue, but counterfeit products are a huge problem on Amazon.
I had no idea!
I first became aware when I was working at Parents a decade ago: Aden & Anais the baby swaddle/blanket company was trying to fight the counterfeit products on Amazon and just hemorrhaging money doing so. I learned that beauty & skincare products are also often fake firsthand.
I think people make the assumption if they can't participate in something 100%, they shouldn't do it at all or it's a complete failure. That's not true!! Even a 20% reduction is significant for business sales. We can see the results with what's going on with Target and Costco and their market shares. If aligned spending is important to you, give it a try. It's like any good habit like exercise or eating healthier. Kind of an inconvenience at first but over time, it becomes easier and saves money too.
As an aside, I'm working on spending less time on insta but I do love this quick, daily financial reminder. Katia is so adorable and says things like your sweet grandma. "You do not need that thing at Walmart. You do not need to go to TJMaxx. You don't need more stuff. You are just bored! Bored. Go clean your car. Go!" And you know what? I totally hear her voice in my head and it helps! @economikat
Yes, I just discovered her and she's a wonderful breath of fresh air on Instagram! x
I loved this article - thank you! We’ve been living and traveling on a sailboat for nearly a year (with two teens) and it has really made us rethink how we spend and consume - and where our waste goes (we’ve literally seen the worst trash on the most beautiful beaches in the world). We keep coming back to “use what you’ve got for as long as you can”, and that has served us really well.
What an incredible experience for you and your teens!! x
This may be an unpopular opinion- but for this reasons I don’t think I can fully break up with Amazon even though I want to while living in the Bay Area. In my option some of the suggestions in this article seem unrealistic.
My local shops very rarely have items in stock that I need. Requesting they order items is a not always possible.
Countless times I have gone to the hardware store, home & garden shops, Walgreens/ CVS, box stores, or stationery shops in my area and have come home with only some of what I needed or worse empty handed. Frustrated and tired, with wasted time & gas (well over $5 gallon) and still have a list to purchase. Running around for a couple of hours in traffic, since shops are not close enough to walk to-
and hoping to find items is a waste of time and resources.
Impressive that Laura is never getting take out food & sleeping 8 hours a night.
My take away is to try to just reduce online shopping as best you can.
Sleeping 8 hours a night is the goal--wish I could say that it happened every night!
I think that's a solid takeaway!!
I live in SF and feel similarly. I try to support my local neighborhood businesses, but also value the time savings of ordering on Amazon. That said, I have some room to improve on reducing impulse buys and packaging.
Love this -- Really practical advice!
So happy to hear! x
Thanks for this! I'm post-break-up w/ Amazon, but been on the brink of booty calling lately, and this will help my resolve to shop local/ mail-order elsewhere! :)
This made me LOL. ha!
Love Laura and these ideas! I have largely broken up with Amazon except for the Whole Foods/Amazon Fresh grocery delivery. It has fundamentally changed my life. They always have everything in stock, delivery comes in reasonable timeframes and usually there is a spot available within 24 hours. The prices are the same or sometimes cheaper than in stores, and they deliver in paper bags unlike the other grocery delivery services I've tried. With two full time working parents and two young kids, this delivery service has been amazing for us. I desperately want to quit it to fully live my values, but I'm having a really difficult time. I think the answer is that I just need to go back to some discomfort (E.g. finding time to shop in store), but if anyone has any other recommended grocery delivery services, I'm all ears.
I do actually love shopping in person for groceries (especially produce) and have made it a Sunday ritual to shop for the week at our favorite local market, sans children. We live across the street from Whole Foods (which is way too convenient) but doing our best to stick to Berkeley Bowl which is independently owned and a true treasure!
I use a delivery service in NYC when our schedules get hectic, so I understand! Are there other options that deliver near you that you could try instead? Or could you do one big shop a week like Shira does?
I can't say that I quit Amazon but rather it quitted me. What do I mean? Well, I have not made a purchase on Amazon in a couple of years now. I buy when I can and lately that's next to impossible. So what has happened? I can't submit reviews of book purchased or anything since I have not spent a minimum of $50 this year or years before. Perhaps that is a good thing because I am not making a fool of myself on Amazon with reviews that I so desperately need.
I do miss the products that I would buy from merchants on Amazon and I don't like to feel that when an Amazon truck is our yard that they are against me for not making a purchase to contribute to that driver's employment stability, yet, there's a large Amazon warehouse on the highway on opposite side or furthest from us here; I at times wonder if some residing in the lot work at that warehouse; having dibs on those who do purchase on Amazon using Prime and those who don't.
When Amazon started they were a much better brand than they are now; and most importantly Bezos doe not need our menial hard earned money. His footprint on the planet is not calamity since I believe he is one for exuberance and not for the planet, but I could be wrong.
Shira, thank you. Your life edit gets me to think in ways that I would not have. Happy Earth Day!
Happy earth day to you! x
Very inspiring! You and Laura are my two favorite resources for living small and with less! I love that you’re friends! I’m going to try a no-Amazon for 30 days challenge to see how that goes as a start! Baby steps!!! We’re in a 1,200 sq ft home in the Bay Area as a family of 4 (much younger kids), so I feel a kindred connection with both of your lives!
Oh how sweet!! Greetings from our 1200 sf home, and love the idea of a 30-day challenge! x
i've tried to reduce Amazon purchases, but eliminating completely with three kids and a full schedule is really tricky for me. My daughter's dance team uses Amazon to buy bulk costumes and accessories - our local dance store doesn't have the same options. I can push back (and have!) on using Temu for this, but Amazon is still the preferred method for buying 20+ dancers the same items. For class parties, the room parents often list a link to Amazon for folks to buy items for the classroom, same with teacher wish lists. I feel like I could eliminate Amazon if it was just me, but with a family it makes it trickier.
We have similar challenges, but I think even if we just reduce Amazon spending as a collective it could make a huge difference!
I think you shouldn't worry about those things that are out of your control! Especially since it sounds like they are few and far between.
Loved this. Laura, I’m curious about how you food shop. Is Whole Foods also out bc of the Amazon connection? Do you feel other chain grocery stores are equally culpable? Is Trader Joe’s on the okay list for you? (I know lots of people feel Costco is on the nice list but without a car and storage space it’s challenging and the environment kills me and we have the coop, though I struggle to avoid quick runs to WF.) Do you mostly shop at the food coop or independent grocers and also use farm shares and farmers markets? Thank you for any insight.
I live in New York City, so I just walk to the grocery stores near my home (they're all NYC specific chains or independents). I am an enthusiastic member of Costco (and I live in a 690-square foot apartment). And I do shop at Trader Joe's when I am near one. I'm also a member of a CSA for vegetables, which is expensive, but something I am happy to support.
I have stopped buying STUFF from Amazon, but am having a harder time breaking up with the TV. Any suggestions/ideas for THAT?
I love watching TV but I am trying to make a rule that I must read a chapter of an actual book before digging into White Lotus!!
Oh, that's a good question. My family is not a big TV family (we have Netflix, Disney+ and use our library for DVDs).
I use the free streaming services that come with my library card - Hoopla and Kanopy. They have thousands of movies, TV shows and music. PBS kids is a free, ad-free option for kids. We have a large wall-mounted computer monitor for viewing. I do free workout and yoga videos on YouTube too. You can totally do it!
I quit using Amazon in December 2024 too. I go out to get what I need, buy it directly from the source (ie buy the coffee from the coffee shop) or I don't buy it at all. It has not been hard but I live in a city with lots of options and grown children who I don't have to drag kicking and screaming to the grocery store.
Love it!! Impressive!