Lately, I have seen some interesting comments online about “slamming the wallet shut” on January 20. Some people are stocking up in items ahead of anticipated inflation caused by whatsisname’s insane tariff plans. Others simply don’t want to support the broligrachy in any way. I see their point.
I don’t think I need to get into the many grifts that are the foundation of the incoming administration. We are the victims of our own materialist ideology. Capitalism is our religion, and the White House is its temple. Broligarchs are now laying gifts of gold at their emperor’s feet.
Money is the reason we can’t have nice things, like functioning democracy! Ugh, where’s my pitchfork?
I am not honestly sure that there is anything that an individual consumer can do about this. And even if we change our shopping habits, if we have retirement funds they are likely invested in the same companies we have issues with politically.
However, women, especially, have a lot of economic power as consumers. By 2030, women are projected to control two-thirds of “discretionary” spending. I think we should at least think about where our dollars go. It probably won’t make any difference. Even my own household, some think this is a waste of time. But I like to believe that every little bit helps. And, even if being thoughtful about our shopping serves only to make us feel better, that’s OK!
So, shopping-wise, here are some small things I have either already done, or am working on.
Along with cancelling our Washington Post subscription (I’m looking at you, Bezos) we’ve cancelled Amazon Prime, though our subscription runs through August. In the mean time, I’m trying to order as little as possible from Amazon.
While figuring out my new shopping plan, I discovered the Goods Unite Us app. Now this is cool. It rates companies by the percentage of funds which they donate to each political party. You can also see which particular candidates they donate to. I am not really sure why companies have to keep throwing so much money at politicians in the first place. And, at this point, I am not so much pro-Democrat as anti-Republican. But we are where we are, so this information, however imperfect, is good to have.
Per the app, Amazon actually leans somewhat Democrat. But, I don’t care how much money Bezos throws at Democrats when he is destroying the Washington Post, donating a million bucks to whatshisname’s inauguration fund and underwriting and platforming Melania’s stupid documentary. It’s my money, and I get to decide who to give it to, dang it.
The one Amazon service I am not sure about is Kindle Unlimited. Yes, I know I can get ebooks from the library and do so all the time. I adore Libby. But some of my favorite authors only publish on Amazon. And I really, really love my Kindle.
I am thinking: if I only use Amazon for books, that would be just a small percentage of what I would have been spending previously? But as my current Kindle is getting a little old and wonky, I might make the leap to a Kobo reader. I would very much like to find a way to get my hands on books by the Amazon-only authors though. If anyone out there has any ideas about this, please comment!
For entertainment alternatives to Amazon, Netflix leans 100 percent Democrat. Apple TV seems to offer all the same rental movies and subscriptions as Amazon, and per the app, Apple also leans Democrat. And fortunately, since we use YouTube TV, YouTube leans strongly Democrat. I also donate to PBS, so I can use their streaming app—and there are other ways to get my British TV fix.
For other household purchases, I have been researching stores one by one (sometimes I have to google who owns a chain in order to find them on the app). I discovered that my favorite grocery store, Wegmans, leans strongly Democrat. Phew, that’s a relief. Fortunately, our neighborhood Safeway does as well. Vitacost, on the other hand, from which I used to order vitamins and a few other things, is owned by Kroger and leans Republican. So, yeah, I deleted my subscribe and save orders from Vitacost. I can find that stuff somewhere else.
Target leans barely Democratic, so there’s that. Costco leans very heavily Democrat and has an excellent corporate reputation in other ways. I guess I am just going to have to get more organized about my shopping—and find places around this little house to stash really a lot of toothpaste.
As for clothing and shoes, I don’t actually shop very much for those. But, I was very relieved to see that DSW doesn’t donate to anyone! The Gap, which also owns Old Navy and Athleta, leans Democrat, another relief to me. REI and Eddie Bauer do too, so I’m more or less covered.
Unfortunately, the closest hardware store to me, Home Depot, leans very Republican. So do Lowes and Ace Hardware. But Harbor Freight Tools is rated as 100 percent Democrat! I guess I can drive a few extra minutes if I need a new widget right away.
I have been pleased to find that many items that I ordered on Amazon are also available directly from the producers, and are no more expensive that way. A minimum purchase is usually what is required to get free shipping, and some even offer subscribe and save plans, like my favorite low-acid coffee. Easy-peasy!
I am aware that another way to avoid giving money to billionaires is to either not buy anything or buy as much as you can second-hand. I am completely in favor of both approaches! But at this point in my life, with no kids at home, a fully furnished house (and no space to put anything else anyway), the vast majority of my spending is on food, household supplies and subscriptions. So, that’s what I’m focused on. YMMV.
Of course, we also sell our eyeballs. By that I mean our participation in social media, particularly Facebook. I have been thinking long and hard about that, but will save it for another post.
Billionaires have weaponized their money. They’ve got rocket launchers but we do still have pea shooters. I’m just saying, it makes sense to use them!