In an effort to make this no/low buy year successful, I needed to see how and where I spent money in 2021. In the process of doing that, I was able to single out payees in my budgeting software program. Out of curiosity, I decided to see how much money I had given to certain retailers — in particular Amazon. I knew I had been ordering a lot on Amazon (and I had all the Amazon packaging to prove it) but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw on the budget report. In 2021, I spent over $7,000 on Amazon purchases. Yes, you read that right. $7,000. What? It must be a mistake, right? Nope. And, for all intents and purposes, I have nothing to show for it. Some of it was spent on my parents, gifts, and Christmas, but everything else? I.have.no.idea.
I’m not even going to try to come up with an excuse for this. There is no excuse. I’ve known for several years that Amazon is my Kryptonite. It weakens my resolve to the core because of how easy it is to get anything you want in the shortest amount of time. And, of course, it doesn’t help that every social influencer links products to it. One easy click and a package is heading my way. Well not anymore.
For 2022, I will no longer be making purchases on Amazon, even if it is something from my “can buy” list. I also will not be renewing my membership for 2023. If I want something that can only be found on Amazon, I just won’t be able to have it. Period.
I’m telling you all this so that there is no room for error. (I tried to do this in 2019, but it didn’t stick). If I write it, I have to follow it. It is my desire to be a much better steward of all the money that flows into our lives. (And I’m sure I can find something better to do with $7,000 than to make a billionaire richer.)
Have you ever added up how much you spent on Amazon over the course of a year? The number may just surprise you too!
JOURNEY TO RETIREMENT 
I unsubscribed multiple sites but for an example Kirklands had 75% off their Christmas items, (I had not deleted that one. On Wednesday I had a cart of about 100.00 but the worst online buying! Would not ship to my house, ok with that but the only two items would show I could pick up at nearest store and others would not show a store pickup, (I’m fine if stores are out because I’d added many other things and they showed zero available but only at the cart laborious to delete ha!) but I was determined ha! No clue why I couldn’t get the others (about 8 items). I called the phone # on the site, did I say I was determined! Very busy leave # and they would call me back. They haven’t. I’ve now saved a 100.00, I’m over it ha! Didn’t have to have anything so yes I need to unsubscribe more!! I’m very weak with a good sale.
LikeLike
You are determined! But now you have $100 in your pocket. Good for you! 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Sharon. I admire that you have publicly made this post to talk about your Amazon shopping and to give it up. We have never had Amazon Prime. I do shop on Amazon occasionally, but as of now, have never gotten in the habit of making it my “first choice” when I buy things. I am cheering for you to do this. I think you can do it, even if it is hard.
LikeLike
Thanks Chris! Yes, that’s exactly it. I was making Amazon my first choice. But honestly, the shopping addiction on that site is real. And I have to avoid it altogether.
LikeLike
I accepted your challenge and added up our Amazon. We were only 2k behind you. Shocked! I showed it to hubby and we agreed. Amazon is cut off except Kindle….maybe even Kindle will disappear. No more random shopping. Half of our Amazon was in the two months of us moving into our house (excuse making). So much easier to do while cooped up. My daughter said she already cut herself off, she doesn’t want to look at her account. With littles one during a lock down, I get it.
Anyway, it was really a good exercise. Thank you for doing it and encouraging us to do it as well.
LikeLike
Hi Janette – Yes, Amazon is addicting, for sure. Seeing the numbers in black and white made a huge difference for me. I’m glad you did the exercise as well. Now all I have to do is figure out how to get stuff for my Mom and have it shipped.
LikeLike
Sharon, idk what you buy for your mom, but my mom had a stroke last year and I live out of town. I had gotten her some Depends from Costco online ordering.
LikeLike
Thanks for the suggestion! I actually found the stuff she needs on Target, but I bet I could find things on BJs as well.
LikeLike
I both cancelled my Amazon Prime account AND got a pro rota refund. Usually when you cancel they let the membership continue until the end date. Wise guys. They wanted to speak to me in person before they would issue me a refund. My reasons were: the last few deliveries I got from Amazon, the N95 face masks I ordered from them were counterfeit. The food purchases I made through Amazon were stale. My daughter ordered OTC meds from Amazon for her daughter and they were expired for over 2 years!!! Unknowing, my daughter gave the meds to her daughter who in turn was extremely allergic to the product and wound up in the hospital! Amazon paid the hospital bill and refunded the original purchase price. But who knows what damage the expired meds did to my granddaughter?
Amazon is NOT what it used to be. They have partnered with too many unscrupulous businesses and I don’t trust the company anymore. Look at how they treat their employees! Anyway, when I told the Amazon rep these stories, he refunded my money, in cash, immediately.
You don’t need Amazon. They give free shipping to any order $25 and above. It’s real easy to come up with a $25 order. So, why pay for a membership??? IT’s better to don a mask and go out shopping instead. You get better deals and better quality instead. Amazon Music sucked. They kept interrupting songs to advertise for the paying upgrade to the music. Don’t need it. I use Spotify instead. For free. I don’t need any of the free ebooks. Never read them. Amazon Prime video makes you pay for any of the good movies. I got a ROKU and now watch the movies for free! In reality, no one needs Amazon for anything. During the pandemic, Amazon charged me $20 for 2 pounds of dry beans (that normally sell for $1.64 each pound at Walmart) But it was during the height of the pandemic and I didn’t know any better. Well, I know better now. Life without Amazon has been a relief! Good riddance.
LikeLike
Oh my gosh, how terrible about your granddaughter! There could be a lawsuit in there….Yeah, I hear you about Amazon. I was originally concerned about purchasing items for my parents. But when I spoke to my Mom this morning and told her I couldn’t order from Amazon anymore, she said: “Good, they don’t need to get any bigger!” I was relieved. I purchased some items for her from Target. I get free shipping with them. My Prime membership is up in September. I tried to get a partial refund to cancel, but they said I used it too much and already got my money’s worth. I’ve taken off all forms of payment on the site, and have a note in August to make sure I cancel. There is no quality control there either. I would rather go without, than purchase another item on their site.
LikeLike
Sharon, they told me the same lame excuse. Use their chat line and ask to ‘speak’ to a supervisor. they’ll insist on talking to you. Up to you. I got $74 back and was grateful. My daughter doesn’t want to sue. Just everyone check those expiration dates! Amazon is like so over. (PS: my kids adore Target!!!!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kudos to you for tallying up your purchases! Technology has made spending far too easy. As of late, I’ve tried to spend my money in brick and mortar stores because they’ve struggled so through the pandemic. That’s not to say that I didn’t use Amazon for some Christmas shopping. I do appreciate that I can order online and have it shipped directly to our daughter who lives out of state…far easier than me having to box and ship something.
You’ve got this! Stick to your guns.
LikeLike
Hi Nancy! Yes, I actually went shopping with my son over Christmas. He likes to go into stores and actually see the items before he purchases and I forgot how nice that really was. No more online shopping for me for myself, anyway. Of course, right now with a broken foot, it makes it harder so I should be saving a ton! lol
LikeLike