Holy cow...my purchase audit was illuminating and somewhat troubling. From 2009-2019 I made purchases in the single digits each year, thanks to being single, living paycheck to paycheck in a tiny apartment, and having a lot of righteous principles against Amazon.
In 2020 I made 16 purchases, which, okay fine, pandemic. From there it climbs! The last few years I've made 20+ purchases each, which seemed like a strange pattern for me until I remembered that over this period of time I got married, bought a house, entered the decade in which lots of other people are doing those things too (and registering on Amazon for gifts), and most crucially, abandoned some principles to start WORKING for Amazon, which meant more disposable income and more "Eh, how bad could it be? Don't think about it too much" decisions.
The most disturbing realization was that in the year after I rediscovered my principles and stopped working at Amazon, I made more purchases than ever! 33! Some with multiple items per order! And it's all such incredibly boring shit: windshield wipers, blister patches for shoes, replacement vacuum filters, stovetop cleaner. I guess I go to Amazon for things when I don't know where else to find them, but surely I can figure that out?! Even though we've canceled Prime, I've already placed 4 orders in 2025 (where else am I going to find a cheap 5lb jug of cayenne pepper to scare away the raccoons in my yard though, you know? That's how they getcha!). I think it's time to get reacquainted with the local hardware store.
Good for you for actually doing the audit. It's such a revealing and interesting process to analyze what's changed in your life to lead you down the consumption canal. Maybe your hardware store will happily order some cayenne for you, or even suggest a better option? In any case, best of luck with those raccoons <3
Many thanks, for the links, detailed experiences, and how-to ideas. I especially like the library "Libby" plug. I'm using my library much more--hard copy and electronic. In general, besides books, libraries are becoming our civic, social, and cultural centers. I discovered by chance, on a 2024 Saturday, that mine had a poetry group meeting at the moment I walked in the door. What a find that has been for me! All because I was limiting Amazon.
Stopped in 1/25. Do not miss one bit! Forgot to cancel music, did that last month, took Alexa to garage and brutally murdered her, the threw her into trash like the garbage she is!
Thank you. I am on the same wavelength as you. I haven’t bought from Amazon since 2024. I still check them sometimes for reviews but when I order it’s from other places such as Target, Dicks Sporting Goods or the companies that the products are actually from (after all,Amazon is just a distributor of other companies products.) If there are shipping charges, I often have the product shipped to the store or just pay the shipping.
I left Amazon a year ago because of their support for Trump et al, and as a result discovered Wilderdog. Melaleuca, Grove, Who Gives a Crap, Greenhouse Warehouse, and more, and am so grateful!
Be aware that other sites also offer items with other pro-world benefits - Grove, for example, offers paper products made of bamboo, which is a more sustainable option than wood.
I have not bought anything from Amazon since Jan 2025! I only keep our Prime for the streaming service as my husband likes a few of the series on Prime. Wish I could completely cut it off but I have to live with my hubby.
If you cancel your annual plan it will NOT refund the balance (I have done this). Instead it cancels when it is due to renew. Doesn’t matter if you are not using it, it’s a sunk cost. Still worth doing.
Also, Audible, Kindle and Goodreads are Amazon products. Kobo is a good alternative.
Thank you for this!! While I am not ready to cancel completely, you have provided great tips on how to be mindful in my purchases.
Love this - great tips, great reminders, great read!!!!
Holy cow...my purchase audit was illuminating and somewhat troubling. From 2009-2019 I made purchases in the single digits each year, thanks to being single, living paycheck to paycheck in a tiny apartment, and having a lot of righteous principles against Amazon.
In 2020 I made 16 purchases, which, okay fine, pandemic. From there it climbs! The last few years I've made 20+ purchases each, which seemed like a strange pattern for me until I remembered that over this period of time I got married, bought a house, entered the decade in which lots of other people are doing those things too (and registering on Amazon for gifts), and most crucially, abandoned some principles to start WORKING for Amazon, which meant more disposable income and more "Eh, how bad could it be? Don't think about it too much" decisions.
The most disturbing realization was that in the year after I rediscovered my principles and stopped working at Amazon, I made more purchases than ever! 33! Some with multiple items per order! And it's all such incredibly boring shit: windshield wipers, blister patches for shoes, replacement vacuum filters, stovetop cleaner. I guess I go to Amazon for things when I don't know where else to find them, but surely I can figure that out?! Even though we've canceled Prime, I've already placed 4 orders in 2025 (where else am I going to find a cheap 5lb jug of cayenne pepper to scare away the raccoons in my yard though, you know? That's how they getcha!). I think it's time to get reacquainted with the local hardware store.
Good for you for actually doing the audit. It's such a revealing and interesting process to analyze what's changed in your life to lead you down the consumption canal. Maybe your hardware store will happily order some cayenne for you, or even suggest a better option? In any case, best of luck with those raccoons <3
Many thanks, for the links, detailed experiences, and how-to ideas. I especially like the library "Libby" plug. I'm using my library much more--hard copy and electronic. In general, besides books, libraries are becoming our civic, social, and cultural centers. I discovered by chance, on a 2024 Saturday, that mine had a poetry group meeting at the moment I walked in the door. What a find that has been for me! All because I was limiting Amazon.
Bravo, regarding books I recently found bookshop.org
they also donate % to an independent bookstore of your choice.
Stopped in 1/25. Do not miss one bit! Forgot to cancel music, did that last month, took Alexa to garage and brutally murdered her, the threw her into trash like the garbage she is!
HAH
Remove your cards, ask your teen to change the password and not tell you, have that teen also change the email and mot tell you.
Thank you. I am on the same wavelength as you. I haven’t bought from Amazon since 2024. I still check them sometimes for reviews but when I order it’s from other places such as Target, Dicks Sporting Goods or the companies that the products are actually from (after all,Amazon is just a distributor of other companies products.) If there are shipping charges, I often have the product shipped to the store or just pay the shipping.
I do the same thing with reviews!
I am at 1 in 2025 and it is a book that was only available there in my country, so I am quite proud!
But I have used my husband to buy me a new headset when mine broke and he used amazon for that, so I am cheating a little bit.
I left Amazon a year ago because of their support for Trump et al, and as a result discovered Wilderdog. Melaleuca, Grove, Who Gives a Crap, Greenhouse Warehouse, and more, and am so grateful!
not familiar with some of these, will check 'em out. Good on you!
Canceling my audible subscription right now. It’s a start. Thank you for this!
Be aware that other sites also offer items with other pro-world benefits - Grove, for example, offers paper products made of bamboo, which is a more sustainable option than wood.
I have not bought anything from Amazon since Jan 2025! I only keep our Prime for the streaming service as my husband likes a few of the series on Prime. Wish I could completely cut it off but I have to live with my hubby.
YOU ARE MY INSPO
I canceled Amazon after the election.
I do like Prime video??? 😊
If you cancel your annual plan it will NOT refund the balance (I have done this). Instead it cancels when it is due to renew. Doesn’t matter if you are not using it, it’s a sunk cost. Still worth doing.
Also, Audible, Kindle and Goodreads are Amazon products. Kobo is a good alternative.