So I had a bad Amazon shopping addiction, still do to be honest.
I did TEFL in a country without free 2 day Amazon shipping. We still had Amazon actually, but a lot of goods didn't deliver and it took too long plus import fees. So, the impulsive nature nose dived fast. Also I lived in a dorm and my mailbox couldn't fit most packages and going to the post office was…not worth it.
Anyway, I realized buying local is so cheap! Like 1/3 of the price.
I've come back to the states and fell into similar shopping habits as before but the realization is still with me. Amazon is very convenient, and the prices compared to local goods where I am (NYC) is similar enough. And 2day is very convenient. But at least now I know I'm being ripped off an arm and a leg!
I've slowed down my spending a lot and look for alternatives and cheaper price filters. Now they have Amazon haul which honestly is the normal price.
I haven't used Amazon haul and I did toss out money, but I'm weaning off it properly. Yes it's convenient and impulsive. But I don't have that habit/need anymore. So I'm just going to shop around or something. Actually, I don't need stuff so I'm not buying anymore. (Except toiletries). I'm happy with what I have and actually am decluttering/minimizing thanks to my backpacking adventure.
I donated toys for the holiday season. I bought some essentials like a can opener and realized I don't want it or canned food. Takes up space. I just don't have the buying bug anymore.
I bought some "necessities" since coming back, but other than that…eh not interested. Except toiletries.
LPT: Living in a country with no Amazon is a wakeup call
byu/Geminifity inFrugal
Posted by Geminifity
13 Comments
Every day I come on this hell website and learn about a new terrible kind of person.
I cancelled my prime membership, and I realized that many things are vastly cheaper at home depot, target, staples, best buy, or mom & pop shops. I purchased a printer recently that was $50 (15%) less at best buy than at amazon and pickup in an hour vice 3 days
What all are you buying on Amazon? The real frugal tip is just slow down your spending altogether. You probably don’t need to be buying all these things.
I live in Europe and use Amazon only for some item are need regularly. I’m subscribed for my protein powder, nutritional yeast, collagen powder, body lotion that aren’t available in my local stores.
Breaking news; person figures out Amazon prime charges a premium for shopper convenience
I haven’t bought anything off of Amazon in years. I slowed down my shopping to just a once-a-month grocery and essentials trip. It’s easier to not impulse shop now that I live in a rural area where I can’t get packages delivered and buying anything at all means a trip to the nearest town.
I have prime, but I’m not tempted by it and ordering a bunch of random crap. I’m still frugal with it
That’s interesting, I find that Amazon is almost always cheaper.
Always shop around!
I buy a lot of necessary items from Amazon, if it’s the same price or cheaper than elsewhere (and it often is). An hour of (valuable) time driving to purchase essentials costs gas, accumulated maintenance costs, and causes added pollution. Without a substantial savings, it’s neither wise nor logical.
First world problem ass post
I haven’t used Amazon in 6 years, nor any other online shopping / never ordered food delivery.
Not sure I believe the people claiming local shops are cheaper than Amazon. I price compare before I buy anything, and look at the historical prices, and Amazon is often cheaper, unless Aldi, Walmart, or Costco/Sam’s carries the item, and it’s usually competitive.
And I don’t really consider big box stores “local” anyway, they’re nationwide and often times just as problematic as Amazon. If you live in the deep rural south, local might be cheaper, esp. food.
On Amazon, I stick stuff in my cart and then watch the price, and I used to use Pricepulse which kept track of prices and notified when they dropped.