Detoxing from Amazon and Target (and the stores we're using to replace them)

If you're like us with busy jobs and little ones at home, letting go of Amazon Prime and Target probably feels like a huge blow! We had backed off quite a bit from Amazon in recent years but still relied pretty heavily on Target to fill in gaps when we couldn't find items at secondhand stores or small local businesses, and occasionally used Amazon prime in a pinch around the holidays. The recent attacks on diversity and inclusion policies at private companies was the push we needed personally to take our business elsewhere. I figured if it doesn't work, we can always pivot back to shopping at these places if we really need to. The good news? It seems like a lot of these bans and boycotts are working, at least if you take articles like this as a sign of success. 

At first, I was pretty overwhelmed- we get all kinds of things from Target, Amazon and some of the other big offenders listed. Over the last few days I've compiled a list of alternative options that are better choices for most of the things we usually get at the above stores. Over time and with practice, we've felt the impact of cutting out these big companies less and less. 

Buy Nothing and Local groups. We have routinely used our Buy Nothing Groups to both give and receive needed items, and this is often the first place we look if we're in need of something. Many local mutual aid groups also give or donate items to families in need. Have a look at what organizations are active in your area. 

Ebay, Goodwill, and other secondhand stores and sites. When it comes to clothes, this is generally the first place I look for myself and the kids. Kids grow so fast, and often you can find close to new options from great quality brands. Learning the Ebay search engine and knowing your size ranges and specific needs can really help narrow your search and prevent unnecessary spending. 

Small and local businesses. This has been a life saver for home improvement and gardening supplies. We have a local hardware store and plant nursery that has probably replaced 90% of our previous Home Depot shopping list. We are also longtime users of our local container free store. 

Costco. We have only had our Costco membership for a year, but it's been a great option for school snacks, certain fruits and veg, milk, and certain dried goods. I imagine we'll get even more use out of their dried goods, clothes and electronics sections moving forward. 

Wayfair and the Container Free Store. We really did not patronize these stores much at all, even when moving into our home, but moving forward when we can't find what we want or need for the house secondhand, these will be two of the first places we look. They both have continued their DEI initiatives and have a history of donating to blue campaigns.

Nordstrom. Some clothes such as basics and swimwear obviously need to be purchased new. Nordstrom has historically supported democratic causes and continues their diversity and inclusion initiatives. When we've tried secondhand stores and struck out, this is usually where we shop. Patagonia is another great alternative. 

Bookshop.org. I love supporting Bookshop.org as they allow you to choose a local indie Bookstore (Our favorite down here is Rohi's Readery!) to "patronize" online. We love getting books as gifts for friends and classmates, and Bookshop.org has been a great way to do that and avoid supporting Amazon. 

Lastly, I wanted to plug Goods Unite Us- an app that helps you understand where different companies sit on various issues. If you have questions about where your dollar is going when you spend at different stores, Goods Unite Us is a great way to be an informed consumer. 

A final thought: If the idea of boycotts and blackouts is overwhelming or out of reach right now, that's okay. Some families may find it's financially not possible to avoid certain stores, or may only have a single option in their area. I am not a big fan of gatekeeping. People should show up however they're able, and we should all meet each other where we're at. Division only serves the other side.

Thoughts? Are you participating in the next boycott? Where have you moved your shopping to? I'd love add more conscious companies to our list. 

Look for the Helpers.

Well I’ve been home a week today, and besides sleeping very well at night, I’m feeling sort of useless. As of right now I’m not needed back until next week, and until our new data collection system is up and running, there won’t be much I can do remotely to help my colleagues overseas. While I’m insanely thankful to be home, with my husband, who still has his job and brings me oat milk lattes every morning (the real MVP,) as someone with an medical degree I’m feeling pretty restless right now, wanting to help out but not sure where to go from here.

So I decided to come up with a short list of ways to help from home during this pandemic. I’m sure this list isn’t exhaustive, and it certainly isn’t much of a contribution compared to those on the frontlines of this crisis (not just nurses and doctors, but those keeping the grocery stores stocked, delivering much-needed supplies, running tests, organizing response logistics…the list goes on…) I’m pretty sure its better than binge-watching the rest of Mad Men on Netflix.

Stay home. This cannot be emphasized enough. And I think most people get it. We’re starting to sound like broken records at this point. But to the Evangeline Lilys of the world, who think this is some thinly veiled mechanism to slowly redact our freedoms…just stop. If you care more about your freedom than the life of your immuno-compromised friend, your elderly parent, the physicians, nurses and other health workers who risk their lives for us every day…. Then I don’t think there’s anything anyone can say to make you listen. But if those people matter even one iota to you, please stay home.

 Donate your masks and protective equipment. Hospitals in New York, Boston, and pretty much anywhere with a lot of Covid-19 cases are running critically low on masks and other personal protective equipment. Currently at my job we are being rationed one mask per shift, and other hospitals only have enough for one mask per week per health worker. Please help us help you, and donate any unused masks or protective equipment you may have to the nearest hospital.

Donate to support others in need. Global crises always have a way of disproportionately harming society’s most vulnerable groups. School closures and job disruptions have left even more people than usual going hungry both in the United States and Globally. Food banks can help safely deliver needed supplies to those who are most in need (check out feedingamerica.org to see how you can help,) and WHO provides much-needed supplies and support to Covid-19 responses in low-income countries. Check out the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund for more details.

Shop small. It’s probably no surprise to anyone that small businesses are suffering. If your budget allows, ordering a gift card, or having food delivered from your favorite local restaurant, can help keep places going while their business has otherwise screeched to a halt. Don’t forget to tip well; those in the service industry have just lost the majority of their income (maybe a sign that the tipping culture in the U.S. is an epic fail, and we need to pay everyone a fair wage? What a novel idea…) If you know any artists, makers or musicians, consider ordering from their online shop if they have one, or venmoing a few bucks in exchange for a virtual serenade (I did this with @Castroviolin who plays beautifully in both famous halls and the NYC subway and it was lovely.)

Show your kind side. It sounds dumb but I really do believe our attitudes and behavior can impact others in small and meaningful ways. Thank the grocery store workers who are showing up to make sure you can buy food and toilet paper for the week. Facetime with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, and check up on family members who may live alone and feel especially isolated and vulnerable right now. If you’re able, Venmo a few dollars to friends or family in the healthcare workforce to get themselves a coffee or a snack during this stressful time. And make sure you’re being kind to yourself- eat well, drink plenty of water, exercise indoors if you can, and allow yourself the space to process this crazy new world we live in however helps you best. Just be sure to reach out to loved ones or a trusted mental health provider if you feel like its getting to be too much.

Thoughts? Any other ideas about how to help during these strange times? Let me know!

Stay safe and healthy,

Small Business Saturdays: Supporting the Maker

photo of Peter and I shopping on Small Business Saturday from this news article

I was really struck by this story posted on a friend's status a year ago. I decided not to post it then, as it was her story to tell and not mine. But supporting small businesses is important to me, so I thought I'd share it here- or at least a more anonymous version. Big business is not necessarily a bad thing- look at Nordstrom, a huge brand that is allowing its employees to enjoy Thanksgiving, for once. And did you know that Small Business Saturday was the product of an American Express Campaign? I didn't!

This involved another big business that clearly does not treat people so well.