Are You Participating in the February 28th “No Spend” Economic Boycott?
by Katy on February 25, 2025 · 117 comments
My social media feed is filled with people spreading the word about the February 28th Economic Boycott. In essence, thousands (millions?) of Americans are finally taking a stand against the horrifying current administration by not supporting the economy this Friday.
Voting with our dollars.
There doesn’t seem to be an absolute consensus, as some people are planning to spend money at locally owned small businesses, but there is full agreement that no money should be spent at Target, Walmart, Amazon, Home Depot or the multitude of other Trump friendly corporations.
You already know that I do my best to boycott these unethical companies on a daily basis, and that I stopped buying almost anything new in 2007. So yes, I am in full support of this grassroots movement. Just like the people who started boycotting Target in January only to realize that there was almost no need to shop there in the first place, I’m hoping that Americans realize that mindless consumerism accomplishes nothing. It keeps us impoverished, while transferring our hard earned dollars to those who already have more than they could ever spend in a lifetime.
This single Friday? What about every Friday? How about every Friday and Wednesday? What if Americans only spent on the absolute necessities? We’d bring our country to a crashing halt. I’m reminded of when I was on The Today Show and I stated it would be “A catastrophic thing if everybody did this,” (stopped buying newly manufactured items) and that it was a “moot argument.”
Record screech! That time has come.
So yes, let’s show our collective economic power this February 28th. Hold onto your dollars, they’re apparently more powerful than your vote.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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{ 117 comments… read them below or add one }
Count me in!
Definitely! I’m one of those who stopped shopping at Target in January and am pleased to find I don’t miss it at all (and I was previously going a couple times a month) I feel so free now that I’ve given up supporting Target and other similar businesses, I really don’t need them and it’s saving me a lot of money.
Absolutely! It felt weird deleting my Amazon account, since I’ve had it for 20 years, but guess what, not one time in the last month has there been a single thing I really needed from there. The same for Target.
We had stopped shopping very much at Target the past year or so, maybe just once every 2 months or so, and then only a few items we don’t buy at Aldi or Walgreens, but since the start of Jan or maybe end of Dec I haven’t been back to Target. I don’t go to Walmart either. I would definitely consider participating in No Shopping Friday.
I am certainly happy to participate on Feb. 28th.
Here is my quandary: where I live, I can get many many MANY things cheaper from Schmazon than I can locally. I mean, $30 cheaper for a case of corned beef hash or canned salmon, etc. This means I can afford way more to put in the Little Free Food Pantry that caters to seniors locally. So far, I am just hoping that Someone Up There understands. I try always to buy meat-heavy groceries because the last thing the seniors need, from what I can tell, is more canned vegetables or pasta.
I got you lady. We are all just trying to do whatever little bit we can. I recognize how fortunate I am to live in the opposite of a food desert here in Virginia. I’ve got essentially every grocery option available to me and I know that’s privilege. You are so kind to stock the food pantry!
Rose, have you ever looked at the prices with an online restaurant supply store? During the pandemic lockdown, I bought from one a few times and it was a good experience.
Ruby, I feel like I have but I feel like it was via Amazon!
Well, good suggestion and I will explore it further. We’re all here trying to do the best we can given our limitations.
CKaty: thanks. Hunger–human or animal–is the one subject that brings me to my knees. Good choice in something to get upset about, right? Because hunger is everywhere and there is 0.0 I can do about it.
I totally agree that many of the canned goods, pasta and processed foods donated to food pantries are less than optimal. Having volunteered to organize donations I have seen the excess of unusable items and the effort and space required to organize it. It convinced me that donating dollars is far more efficient. The food pantries can optimize dollars more than canned goods, carbs and cake mixes.
I totally agree that many of the canned goods, pasta and processed foods donated to food pantries are less than optimal. Having volunteered to organize donations I have seen the excess of unusable items and the effort and space required to organize it. It convinced me that donating dollars is far more efficient. The food pantries can optimize dollars more than canned goods, carbs and cake mixes.
Count me in for the 28th.
Thank you for sharing that about food pantries. I know they can often buy food for pennies but it seems people feel better when they donate food. It’s too bad that our actions don’t align with the facts.
This is a Little Free Food Pantry. You leave food there for people to take. It’s outside the senior center and helps them a lot.
https://www.littlefreepantry.org/frequently-asked-questions
@Rose, et al,
I applaud your efforts to put food items in the Little Free Food Pantry. Anything we can provide is helping someone (adults and children) keep from going hungry.
My small town has two “blessing boxes”, where people can donate or take food at will. During Covid, my son’s Boy Scout troop “adopted” one of these blessing boxes, helping to keep it filled. I still purchase and drop off food there on a regular basis.
And for everyone who says, those processed foods, carbs, etc., are not good, keep in mind the following: some folks do not have much in the way of cooking equipment, a working stove, even a can opener. Some folks don’t have much in the way of cooking skills and/or the time or ability to learn. As I mention above, the blessing box my son’s Boy Scout troop (den?pack?) helped fill during Covid requested canned goods with pop-top lids, as many folks who live in that low income housing complex don’t have can openers, and kids often have to “fend for themselves” (microwave some soup, canned chili, etc) as many of the parents suffer from mental illness, drug abuse, etc., or have a variety of disabilities. It was a real eye-opener for me, who can afford pretty much anything to eat, and have more than my fair share of kitchen equipment, cookbooks, etc.
Am I painting everyone in this situation with the same brush? No. Would more healthful food items be better options? yes, certainly. But we have to meet people where they are; a bag of dried beans is useless to someone who doesn’t have the time, energy, equipment, physical/mental/emotional ability or knowledge of what to do with them. Fed is best.
Rose, we have one of these outside my library, that I regularly contribute to. I also drop off personal care items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soaps, shampoo, etc) – because if you need food then i feel you need these items also!
I was referring to large food pantries or soup kitchens. I have seen tons of waste or expired items and the effort it takes to organize and use.
I think Little Free Food Pantry is a great concept and I know it helps. I have occasionally put food in Little Libraries if there is room – and the items disappear. Good point to consider the limitations of the intended recipients when choosing what to contribute.
I intend to participate but that is easy for me to say because we don’t have Target or Kohls or Trader Joes or most of the other stores commentators mention. We do have one Walmart but I have never been in there because of their business tactics. And we do have a few fast food places, but mostly if I go for fast food it is the Friday Filet o’ Fish from Mcdonalds. In other words, most people who participate will be giving up a lot more than I will.
I understand that McDonalds supported Trump in a big way. Is there a local fish place you can try?
We are switching to buying from local businesses, farmers markets, and companies that did not support Trump. My only Amazon use is for library Kindle books and I am reducing that by checking out print books more. The whole situation is awful.
Juhli, I’m the same. The only reason I have an amazon account is for kindle books. I bought a handful for my favorite series, but I check out a ton from the library. If I had a different e-reader or a tablet, then I could switch formats. Haven’t gotten there yet, though.
Ironic that this post was covered by a giant ad for Intel and a Walmart banner at the bottom. What can you do to get the conglomerates and multinationals out of our faces? I come here for anti consumption and solidarity. Maybe you’d consider an ad free day on the blog too in solidarity – not spending there and add in not taking any income from them either.
Use an ad blocker. I have been using one since–at least 20 years.
That could work but I think you missed my point a little. I’m pointing out that accepting content and revenue from these companies isn’t really in the spirit of a boycott. Since avoiding spending money there is easy, I’m asking about taking it a step further to consider the income side.
She probably uses something like Google AdSense and has zero control of the content of the ads. Since we’re talking about Target/Walmart here, AdSense (or whatever) is gonna show ads from them.
Agreed that there is little individual control but I see this small action as very much a part of how a boycott rests on collective action through personal choices. I’m asking if it’s possible to not host ads that earn money, however small the amount, and maybe only for a short time, given that the ads share the messages of companies that Katy stated she does not support with her spending dollars. I’m asking because I don’t run a blog so I don’t know what flexibility or options exist in the settings. My question is intended in line with things stated in this post. Since the spending dollars don’t feel like a heavy lift, are the income dollars on the table too?
Looking at the code for this site, it seems to be in the BlogHer ad network in which you can (or you used to be able to) opt out of certain ads.
Andie, I could be wrong, but I think Katy has said she doesn’t accept advertising revenue. I’ve never seen any ads on the blog.
That doesn’t track with my experience. There’s a Target ad up right now and they’re on the naughty list (which I agree with). There’s also an item in the top menu detailing how folks can advertise on this blog. Since the boycott isn’t a stretch for some, I’m suggesting an alternative with some teeth.
That doesn’t track with my experience. i just saw ads for Target and Amazon but I don’t shop there either. There’s also a menu item at the top of the page that details how companies can advertise on this blog. It’s not logical to me to display ads or to invite sponsorship if one wouldn’t accept the revenue. I’ve never seen a post about this. I know some YouTube channels donate part of their revenue but I’ve never seen a post of that nature here either and I’ve been a reader for years.
Since the whole tone/message of the post is that the boycott isn’t enough, I’m asking about going a step further.
@Andie, I think the focus of the boycotts is on the big fish. Katy is NOT a big fish (well, she is in my small pond, but..) and I would like to gently point out that your focus on her teeny revenue from the ads on her site is perhaps not the best use of your energy. It feels a bit distracting from the core message, which is that we are getting screwed by a lot of the big corporations. If they are paying Katy to advertise on her site, who are we to complain about some of our hard earned dollars trickling back to one of the small fish? Just saying – there are much more important issues to attend to than the ads on Katy’s site.
soap box mode off.
I always see ads on this blog if I don’t use an ad blocker.
There are, indeed, ads on the blog. I use an ad blocker and sometimes I get a prompt/plea to undo the ad blocker. I’m sure Katy doesn’t opt-in to any revenue from it, but probably the hosting website requires ads to keep its revenue going.
I do receive income from the blog, which takes a lot of work to maintain. I pay for monthly hosting and annual domain registration. I pay taxes on that income and it’s enough to help me stay motivated, but far from enough to live on.
I’ve never once done an Amazon referral link, even though that’s how other blogs earn income. My ads pay me per “view,” rather than per click, which means that you don’t need to engage with them whatsoever. I do the occasional eBay referral link and get maybe $15 every other month for that.
I’ve also never done pyramid scheme links, which would have been profitable for me. Think meal kit links and such.
The ads I see on your blog today are:
Colgate, survey monkey, eBay, gold council,regions,Powell books, she collective, temu(Chinese linked to forced labor),sheknows, Clinique offered by prime
Katy, once again thank you for all that you do behind and in front of the scenes to keep this blog going for all of us to enjoy, learn and connect.
Katy, thank you for your transparency and for educating me about what it takes to host a blog! I honestly had very little idea. You do a great job, and I’ve enjoyed reading your work for years now. Thanks for all you do.
Appreciate you so much, Katy! Thanks for all the time, effort and funds that you spend on this website.
Karen: a blogger pays a hosting company to keep the site up. Hosting companies don’t require ads, but running a blog is not free. I just paid $445 to BlueHost for my sites. (Lurch sigh) Then there’s extras and software bits and bobs that cost more, like SiteLock. And if you need technical assistance, yet more.
It’s not free to write a blog! It’s an expensive pain.
@Rose,
《Lurch sigh》…….bwahahaha!!!
Rose, thank you for the insights–obviously I don’t know the first thing about writing for a blog, and Katy does an amazing job of keeping it going and educating (and entertaining) her readers!
(and I love the Lurch sigh…when I was a kid I thought the Addams Family was a much more functional unit than the Brady Bunch! Still do.)
Yep, I’m in. Though not shopping for one day is not much of a strain because I am in necessities only mode this year, with the possibility of making it permanent as long as the Orange Pox is in office.
I deleted my Amazon account last week, having not used it in ages. Walmart is a little bit tricky for me because the neighborhood market where I buy gas and a few other items not otherwise available nearby. But I have kept it at a bare minimum for decades.
7 weeks of no Amazon purchases! It’s been hard because it’s so easy! Planning no purchases tomorrow!
I made this decision at the start of the year – I realised that although I have made some great decisions for the environment (growing my own veggies and fruit, vegetarian diet), I was still on the hedonic treadmill. I caught myself browsing sites for things I didn’t need, and could feel the rush of dopamine that shopping brought with it. I knew I absolutely had enough stuff. I made a commitment to get off the hedonic treadmill, rather than a commitment to stop buying new. That applies to buying new and old – I made a commitment to intentionally thinking about the purpose of my purchases. If the purchasing is to fulfil that dopamine hit or a gap that I think I need to fill (hedonic treadmill) – I stop and reconsider my purchase. If the purchase is truly meaningful and will bring real joy to my life, I am allowed to buy it. I have really cut back on purchases this year as a result of this personal commitment.
I’m in! Not just Friday–that’s easy and I’ll do it–I love your “extended plan”. Every Friday. Every Wednesday and Friday. As little as possible all other days.
As for Amazon, I’ve taken to using it for a reference site. I look up items, read descriptions and reviews, compare prices, look at things side by side and then–if I’m going to buy I go elsewhere with that information!
I also “use” Amazon for the same reason: research into what is available, which I then look for elsewhere.
Some people use book stores in reverse of that, doing their research by looking at the merchandise at the store, and then ordering from Amazon. I would rather support the store, even though it might be a few dollars more.
I am in! I read that the people of Canada are joining us in solidarity!
Yay for our friends in Canada! I’m happy to hear they’re joining us.
Yes, we definetly are boycotting!
I am in for no shopping on feb 28.
I am 100% in.
I’m absolutely in.
In 2024, personal consumption expenditures represent nearly 68% of the nation’s GDP (according to US Bank).
I think most of us can reduce our personal consumption expenditures and send a powerful message. I am VERY frugal and I am aiming for my lowest spend year ever. I don’t want to go to work to earn money to support a billionaire. I want to support local farmers and local businesses. And also step outside the money economy entirely as much as possible by growing my own food, making my own clothes, bartering for services, and generally working directly for the things I need rather than going to work to earn money to pay someone else for the things I need.
Rose, Have you thought about checking with the food bank if they would prefer to receive cash instead of food donations? The food bank where I work can buy things like canned salmon at a hugely reduced price. It is better for them to receive cash. Of course they happily accept any non-expired food that is donated, but once I knew they could buy far more with say $20 than I could purchase with $20, I started giving cash.
I do give cash to the local food bank. But this isn’t a food bank. This is analogous to a Little Free Library where anyone can take a book or leave a book, except this is food, toiletries, etc. Anyone can access it at any time without shame.
What a lovely thing!
What I especially like about it is it’s so low key. Bought too many cans of tuna? Drop two off here. It’s not at all like a food bank. Obviously food banks have their place too; this is just a different way of giving to our neighbors.
Rose, we do a similar thing, as there are three Little Free Pantries on our way back from the grocery store. I’m sure the checkers at our store are very used to us purchasing extra tuna, boxed milk, and oats, etc. It’s all usually gone within a week. These are tough times.
Rose,
I love this. I wish there were Little Free Pantries in my area. At least we have the two blessing boxes, which are very similar (but likely much bigger in size).
Calendar marked for absolute no spending on Friday. Although I’ve not been shopping any of the stores you listed for several months. Here’s hoping people start taking action however they can.
I have young kids (6 and 10) and they are so excited to participate in the no spend day this Friday. We have talked a lot about this administration and how decisions being made impact others. Our town is extremely supportive of the orange guy and my boys love having something we can do to let our voices be heard. They are telling their friends to make sure that they don’t spend any money on Friday.
Your sweet little children give me hope for the future. Give them a big hug from me!
I love that you talk with your kids about facts instead of brainwashing them on a few issues. In other words, don’t vote against your own best interests.
I am not only taking part, I am excited about it and looking forward to participating and keeping my money out of the hands of billionaires. I like the every Wednesday and Friday idea and am seriously considering it. I may take it a step farther and boycott these companies altogether or as much as I can. I cut Amazon loose last year and have never looked back. That’s a start. Like all of us on this blog, I live very frugally anyway so it’s not a far stretch.
Hell, yes, I’m boycotting Trump and Musk and the GOP and their economy. And I will be happy to do this multiple times. Whatever it takes to get my country back.
It’s only been four weeks. But I don’t recognize our country’s government anymore; tRump’s just about ruined the whole thing! Now they want to take away people’s voting rights if they ever changed their names; no married woman or adoptee whose name was changed will be able to cast a ballot if that goes through. And they want to axe Medicaid, which helps low-income seniors and children and disabled people; I guess they want all those folks to die.
People voted for Trump bc they thought he’d bring them prosperity. Ha! Sunday, our egg prices were over $8 for a dozen regular (not organic or Eggland’s Best) eggs. Of course, the Orange One promised he’d bring egg prices down and lower inflation; then, once in office, he stammered “it’s harder than it looks.” Ya think? Yet, so many people believed he could, or would want to, lower prices and inflation. What a crock!
Oh, and the news tonight said the price of beef is about to go way up. Blame it on the drought, blame it on Trump, it doesn’t matter: you’re going to pay lots more. And who is helping the farmers and ranchers? They’ve slashed the federal workforce, so there are fewer Agriculture Dept. people out there.
And remember how Elon Musk announced there were hundreds of 120 y.o. dead people on our Social Security rolls? A funeral home director posted that as soon as a corpse is brought in to any funeral home/mortuary/cremation place/body donation place in the U.S., by federal law, the funeral home (or whoever) has to obtain and report the deceased’s Social Security number to the government right away. So there is no way dead people are still collecting SS! Not unless their kinfolk buried them in the backyard, dumped ’em in the river, or did something similar. OMG, could Musk and Trump and the right-wing “news” broadcasters all be lying? Yes, absolutely they are, the funeral director said.
I’m buying a bumper sticker that says DEPORT ELON, and I’m calling the Congressman and Senators several times a week. My pastor says he is emailing all our elected officials. If I need groceries, there’s a Mom and Pop store I will buy from on Friday (and lots more frequently from now on), and otherwise, my wallet will remain closed that day. I am going to “shop from my closet” as much as possible, and only purchase absolute necessities in coming months; my Easter dress will be something from my closet. I hope they get the message!
There is a petition to have elon’s Canadian citizenship revoked. It’s not likely to happen, but I last heard, about 250K signatures in a week.
I cancelled all my US accounts a while ago, am shopping Canadian, and will definitely support the Feb 28 boycott. I like the Wednesday and Friday idea too. Let’s put the brakes on this, hard.
Yes, strict no buy Friday. And every other boycott planned. I’m retired and will be spending only on necessities. I transferred my retirement funds to a less risky investment that I have control over.
I became a member of Costco. Costco shareholders voted down a proprosal to cancel the company’s “DEI” policies. So buying most non food items there.
Will shop at 2 local grocery stores PCC Community Markets and Metropolitan Market for food. I used to shop at Shed Schmeyers/Schrogers.
My absolute fave The Yakima Friut Market in Bothell WA reopens March 5! It’s a fruit & veg stand that’s open March-Oct. It sells fruit & veg from Yakima and local farms in western Washington. It’s an absolute gem and a delight to shop there! They hire local high schoolers during the summer.
Every morning I call or email Senators, Congress Folks, The White House, occasionally my Governer & State AG. At first I was contacting Democrats, but now I contact Republicans to pressure them to do what is right. So far, not much luck with Republicans as I see they just approved their House budget bill today. Only 1 Repub voted No.
I’m absolutely participating, and have been in ultra low spend mode since the inauguration. I want Trump’s economy to fail.
Maybe it’ll have little effect. Maybe I’m just howling into the void.
But our spending is something we DO have control over.
77 million people want him to burn things to the ground. Most of them don’t even like him. Many of them own small businesses. I guess you could make a business prove their politics before you buy anything from them. Good luck with that.
I’ve taken note of the small businesses around me that give a trumpy vibe. It’s interesting that they were more obvious about it before the election.
I remember watching a documentary, I think it was guns, germs, and steel, and it said when Argentina went bankrupt in 2001 they brought in experts to restructure the government. What really stuck in my mind is that they decided what percent of the population was expendable. To make the government work again there would be people who would not fit into the equation. When I read today about the new budget”9 million low-income Americans would lose access to the food aid and Medicaid would also lose a substantial $880 billion as 36 million Americans could lose their health care coverage”
It made me think of Argentina
49.8% of them, no where near a mandate and not even a majority.
Absolutely participating in the boycott Friday! I think it will make a statement, but to really have lasting impact, we need to permanently boycott these businesses and redirect our spending to support small, local businesses. I haven’t canceled my amazon account because I check out library books for my kindle. But I don’t buy anything from amazon or walmart or target. I used to buy intermittently from target, but since I don’t like to shop, it’s pretty easy to avoid. Doing more grocery shopping at Natural Grocers and locally-owned grocery stores (weaned myself from Whole Foods when they were acquired by amazon, and shopping less and less at Trader Joe’s). Since I’m more into decluttering than acquiring, it gets easier and easier to acknowledge how nice/cute/beautiful/interesting something is and, at the same time, realize I don’t need to own it. I apply the same criteria to things offered in my Buy Nothing group. Sure it’s free, but do I really need more stuff??
I am definitely participating. Can’t speak for my husband. We have a politically mixed marriage and it’s HARD, but after 49 years together I’m letting no orange man put asunder.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve been inside a Target. But as for Amazon it is a difficult call. We live semi-rural, so there are not many options without driving 20 miles minimum. That’s miles and wear and tear on car, and as I age, it’s not as easy or safe as it used to be. But Friday 2/28, for sure I will not!
First, here’s a repeat (from a couple of FFTs ago) of the list of businesses I already boycott:
(1) Amazon (and Whole Foods; no WF in my town, so that one’s super easy!)
(2) Walmart (and Sam’s Club)
(3) Hobby Lobby
(4) Chick-fil-a
(5) Tesla (not that I’d ever have bought a Tesla anyway…)
I almost never shop at either Home Depot or Target, so it’s no strain to add those to my list. And I’ll be glad not to shop anywhere on the 28th. (Between my regular non-consumer habits and the winter weather we’ve been having here, most of February has been a no-spend month for me.)
A. Marie, thanks for including Hobby Lobby, bless their little antisemitic souls.
A very dear friend of mine used to work for Hobby Lobby. I have boycotted this chain, which also includes Mardell’s (Christian store), for years now. My friend said Hobby Lobby had the audacity to not offer or allow birth control coverage on their insurance. They even went to the Supreme Court about it, saying birth control = abortion and birth control was against their “religion.” (I suppose their “religion” is spelled G-R-E-E-D. As in they don’t want to pay for birth control pills.) My friend was furious that Hobby Lobby would stick its corporate nose into her and her husband’s personal business. She wondered how many unwanted pregnancies (and possibly abortions), resulted from this ridiculous policy. She got her contraceptives via Planned Parenthood, another thing Trump and his MAGA people want to do away with. My friend was one of the lucky ones, as she quit and is now working for a business that competes with some of Hobby Lobby’s departments. But how many “women of childbearing age” are at risk for unplanned pregnancy because of some higher-up arbitrarily deciding they won’t pay for reproductive health care such as birth control?
I intend to skip shopping at all large store on Friday. It is rare that I shop there anyway.
I do plan to visit a local bookstore and maybe buy books (maybe used books) for a couple of grandnieces that will be baptized in a few weeks. They are two and four years old so they won’t remember what we gift them anyway. The majority of their gifts will be checks for deposit into their 529 accounts. If I buy books I will pay cash as it helps the store’s bottom line and the big banks don’t need to collect more fees from merchants that day.
I’m glad that you’re giving your grandnieces books as well as 529 deposits as christening gifts. My redoubtable godmother, “Auntie Genevieve,” gave me books for all birthdays and Christmases till I reached confirmation age–and she stuck to the classics: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; The Wind in the Willows; etc., etc. I still have all of these.
I plan on participating on the 28th. I like the idea of doing a regular rotation of days. I don’t think one day is going to get our point across.
You betcha I’m in! If I absolutely NEED something, I will go to the local employee-owned businesses.
That is absolutely ridiculous. I totally support buying used. However if everyone stopped shopping at the *big stores*, they would lay off their employees which would cause much more harm than good. Do you actually think these things through?
You are right that the boycott sounds like something simple, maybe even naively so, in response to a very complex situation. Can you imagine the shock if the boycott actually crashed Amazon?
As changes come to American consumerism, they won’t be instant, so the producers and companies and the communities they sell to will have time to adjust. Compare shopping today with fifteen years ago, and thirty years ago, and so forth. Much is different, and much is what we didn’t see coming. The rise of online shopping, the rise and decline of shopping malls, the deaths of downtowns, were unimaginable to most people before they happened.
But the boycott will hopefully draw attention to the notion that the economic model we are living with now is not the only one, and in the opinion of many boycotters, not the optimal one.
Mr Money Moustache’s blog has an archived discussion of a related question from 2012, “What if Everyone Became Frugal?”
Angie, it’s true. If these stores lose enough business it will definitely affect employment. I’m no economist, so I don’t have an answer for that. But if Americans begin to shift their spending from these huge corporations back to local businesses, many of them small businesses, and THOSE businesses–shops, restaurants, services–saw a huge upturn in their business, then doesn’t it stand to reason that they would need to hire more employees? So not only could that shift create jobs, but there have been tons of studies done that compare how much of each dollar spent at a local business stays in the community vs how much stays in the community when we buy from the big box stores. And in terms of Amazon, have you ever noticed how many products there are actually from businesses that have their own website where you can order directly? There are also a lot of products from businesses around the world (and seems to me, quite a few in China). Who vets these businesses? How do we know the products are well made? Or is it just so easy to shop from Amazon because you can return almost anything? There are so many poorly-made products out there and we are so conditioned to shop, shop, shop. I think a lot of us who follow Katy’s blog have shifted our spending to buy more and more things secondhand. This also takes dollars away from the big box stores and online retailers like Amazon. Is that also a bad thing? It seems there’s lots to think about.
Yes to Friday and most of the other days. I don’t shop at either Amazon or Walmart so no change there. I have strong loyalty to Target and will continue to buy some groceries, household products, and health & wellness items there. They are a hometown store here in Minnesota, an important employer, and a generous community supporter. I suspect their DEI focus will continue but under the radar, so to speak.
Hi MB.
Need to post a response — Target’s DEI focus will NOT continue “under the radar”.
Speaking as a former employee, Target is NOT the “hometown” store, employer, nor generous community supporter that they used to be.
KM3, I respect your personal opinion.
Your last sentence points up a good question: If DEI initiatives are good for a business, won’t the company keep doing them to keep making a profit? Whether they call them that or not?
Heidi Louise, I believe the answer to your question is yes. That is why I think Target will continue initiatives that create value or profit, but without the “DEI” label.
I’m participating, although it isn’t much of a change for me. I have already stopped shopping at Amazon and Target, and in general, I don’t buy more than I absolutely have to. I want to buy more from smaller companies directly instead of going through Amazon or Walmart. I have to say, though, it is hard to completely avoid the big box stores when you don’t have much money. They are often the cheapest option for a lot of necessities. But I’ll do the best I can.
Elizabeth, I hear ya on the personal economic constraints. That said, I’ll delay my big box errand until after Friday, because I think a boycott IS needed to get their attention. (We have very few choices here in our semi-rural area, and regularly driving into the city isn’t necessarily more responsible.)
I’m in for Friday Wednesday boycott of all big stores. I have been buying less and less from Amazon, and working towards nothing new for awhile now. Like Cynthia, I try to use it mostly as a reference point, for reviews and features. I do buy some things there, though, and will try harder to stop entirely for good. (That means both things: Stop forever and literally doing it for the good of humankind. ). It’s hard where I live but I wlll work on it, starting with a twice a week hard and fast boycott, and really working for alternative sources on other days.
Here in Canada we are either boycotting all American businesses or not shopping at all on February 28. As Stephen King says, the only thing these b*astards understand is money. Honestly, I’m not much of a shopper anyway, my biggest obsession is books and I mostly buy second hand.
I’m in for no spend on Friday and hope we have enough participation to send a message! We’ve already been trying to reduce spending on things and make good use of what we have. It was an easy decision to kick several stores to the curb – Amazon, Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart, etc. And you could not pay me to drive a Tesla! But I have mixed emotions about some stores, such as Target and Whole Foods. Target primarily has supported Democrats and is my source for recycled toilet paper and a few other environmentally friendly products. I only shop there a few times a year for specific items I can’t get anywhere else here. Also, Whole Foods is where we pick up our CSA bag and they purchase a lot of produce from our local farmers. They also sell the King Arthur climate blend whole wheat flour. My point is, the decision to boycott is not always clear cut. I don’t want to hurt causes I support, by boycotting companies or their actions that I don’t support.
@Gale, I hear you! It is a challenge when there are few options close to home, or there are specific products. I guess we all need to chart our OWN paths, based on the circumstances in our own unique worlds. If I were in your shoes, I might make a point of only purchasing from these stores those items which I cannot get elsewhere or which would make a significant dent in my budget.
If you buy only Toilet paper at Target, and remind yourself that you support other organizations when the ‘big sale’ signs tempt you (or buy loss leaders knowing they actually cost the store money and are designed to bring you in to be tempted by everything else) then you could be making your small dent in their profits. As for the CSA, that is tough, too, but again if you purchase items that benefit farmers there will be a flow through.
We are all unique, and have unique needs and opinions, as well as financial situations.
The world will be a kinder place when we offer ourselves – and others – grace, when it comes to what we are all struggling with in these rapidly changing times.
Lol, my husband is out of work, so every day is a no-buy day for us. Grocery shopping at our local stores and medical necessities are pretty much it right now. Even before he lost his job, I decided to finally stop buying from Amazon, and haven’t since November.
My best to you and your husband.
I will not be spending any money this Friday the 28th. In addition I will not be shopping at Target or Walmart Friday OR in the future. I do have a bunch of gift cards to both that i earned through varies offers that I’m using up prior to Friday but once they are gone I’m out. I’ll be spending part of Friday at my friend’s small local pet food store with my rescue guinea pigs doing feee nail trimmings for small animals.
Bonus points for your community-building service on Friday!
I do plan to do a little spending on Friday. I’ll go to my favorite Mexican grocery store for their excellent and cheap fruits, vegetable and meats. Then my husband and I will have a drink at our local welcoming LGBT bar. Let’s support those he tries to crush
I rarely shop, rarely shop at any of those places, rarely impulse buy, rarely buy new, so my participation is by default. I don’t need the boycott to get me to think about how I already don’t spend my money.
I wonder if and how the effects of any boycotts will be identified. I can’t quite see Amazon announcing sales are down on one day. Evidence of economic success would probably be anecdotal (one person saw this; another points to protests in a parking lot). It will be interesting to see if any of the boycotted companies make announcements in response to the day.
I quit recreational shopping many years ago. I also buy our groceries mainly using pickup because I’m a full time caregiver for my husband. With that said, I don’t usually have the freedom to pick up groceries and/or prescriptions to coincide with boycotts. For those who do, please be grateful for that luxury.
Hear Hear! While I will be boycotting Friday and do not patronize most of the aforementioned stores as a matter of principle, your point that being able to boycott is a luxury that many don’t have depending upon their circumstances or location. Caregiving is tough duty and can be soul sucking. I applaud you for taking advantage of any conveniences that are available.
Peg, thank you for the reminder to be grateful for that.
I quit recreational shopping many years ago. I also buy our groceries mainly using pickup (no mom and pop grocers left in our town) because I’m a full time caregiver for my husband. With that said, I don’t usually have the freedom to pick up groceries and/or prescriptions to coincide with boycotts. The only reason I’ve stepped in a Target the last two years is to pick up my husband’s prescription medicines. That, however, has ended, as he was able to return to a Walmart pharmacy for better utilization of his new prescription drug plan. We are both seniors, and money is tight. I never saw myself as a big Walmart customer, but here I am.
Peg, have you looked into Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus drugs? I know it won’t work for everyone, but it could be worth checking out.
I am participating, which is easy for me as I’ve been belt tightening since the new year any way! I cancelled my Amazon Subscribe & Save it4ems after the election. I also have been spreading the word, in the hopes of getting others to join.
Like many here, while planning to support the Friday boycott I’ve asked myself whether one day can make a difference. Here is one thought I came up with; I’d like to know if this makes sense or if I’m just telling myself stories.
What I’m thinking is that this can be a show of the latent potential power of our resistance. Will retailers notice how many of us are ready to abandon them if they don’t respond? Will it send a warning? Because one day can’t really change their bottom line. But it shows who is paying attention.
Cynthia, I think you said it well. Along those lines: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2025/02/21/what-is-an-economic-boycott-no-spending-day-organized-for-feb-28/79313678007/
Target is easy – Amazon is tougher for my family. But I’m always delighted to have a day without errands, and we are trying hard to shop in our comfy.
Not sure what I think about this.I got an email encouraging me to get “whatever I need” before Friday. How is one day gonna make a dent when people get BACK on amazon and target and walmart and everywhere else on Saturday or the following Monday? We need to address CONSUMERISM in American at a deeper level, at the core… ..as your blog does!!
One day ??Does anyone really think they are gonna pay attention?Especially if you go back online next week to buy your sneakers,makeup, lamps, bicycles,hair dryers, socks, sweaters, leftover containers and meal prep items, your new books, dog toys, cat trees, kitchen organizers, slippers, birthday gifts, and more…….
I am being a bit contrarian here.I know we have to push back but this doesn’t really feel very effective, it feels like a Venting” like “I have to do SOMETHING” kind of effort.
We need to THINK longer term than this.
The only thing I am doing, is getting my hair cut. It is incredibly long and I look like hell and I go to a small business downtown. It was also the only time she had available from two weeks ago to two weeks from now. Otherwise, my money is staying with me.
Michelle, I wholeheartedly agree with you on the need for a longer term approach to out-of-control consumerism.
Whoops, that was supposed to be a reply to Madeline, not Michelle. Sheesh.
I am so glad this movement is gaining in numbers- this may be the only way to fight the oligarchs
The cynical side of me suspects that the deplorables are sending each other emails that say, “Save all your shopping for Friday.”
Maybe the point is that we start training ourselves to stay away from these retailers every day!
I stopped shopping at Target a long time ago, when I realized how much useless stuff I was ending up with. Didn’t get used and I had to figure out what to do with it. Now I’m paring down, not buying more. The only place I’ll be shopping tomorrow (and every Friday if I’m honest) is my local bakery because Friday is cookie day :). That’s something I can get behind.
COOKIES! yum yum yum
In the last while I’ve joined other Canadians in completely avoiding buying anything from the US. There’s been a couple food item that were sad to not purchase. A lot of us are very committed to this!