So do I boycott amazon, wallmart, and wells fargo?

I've heard lots about boycotting large companies because it will make the 1% scared and they don't care about me or the earth.

Pros: that^. Supporting local keeps money in the local community, and some local things are more environmentally friendly.

Cons: some local things are inefficient and not as environmentally friendly. I save $100s of dollars every year using these three companies because they either give me money for using them (wells fargo) or they are 3x cheaper (walmart and amazon).

I have found each year that the more frequently I choose the "boycott" option, the happier I am.

I am the kind of person that likes to go for the good goal with the utmost gusto, and I feel like I am living according to my best ideals when I do not compromise. However, I have not 100% given up any of these things--but around 90% after about 5 years and it feels really good.

1) I now don't buy anywhere near as much as I used to, which keeps my house cleaner and allows me to save significant amounts of money!

2)  When I don't wind up doing without, the "boycott the bigbox" mindset opens up so many other ideas and opportunities for obtaining things that I wouldn't otherwise have had: producing them myself if possible, and sourcing them by borrowing, bartering, buying used, etc.

I am happy to use my online sources because I buy what I cannot find locally which is a lot.

I don't boycot stuff because I see no point in doing that.

I buy with my pocketbook by finding what products I can get the cheapest, usually on eBay.

I happen to think that voting with your wallet is good for the soul. It's not always practical, but I think cumulatively effective, especially if you can tell them "I didn't buy from you because your product is ***"

*** insert ethical reason here.

I think choosing where to spend your money (or not) is a powerful means of change - do you want your town and community to hold onto cash for as long as possible, or do you want it to go to an unknown wallet far away?

I happen to dislike Amazon intensely - but that is mainly because I find it's user interface klunky to use. I never know whether or not they are going to charge me delivery, and who is actually selling the item I'm looking at. I often find by researching online that I can find the identical thing cheaper buying direct from the source in the UK. The other companies you mention are not an option for me in the UK.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

One of the best reasons I have heard to shop local is that Amazon or Google are never going to support your son's baseball team. Finding businesses that are community minded is very important.

Money in a sense is a powerful thing. My spending decisions consider three big things: cost, convenience, and distance from where I call home. I know a lot of my local small business owners by name and the money I spend at their shops stays rather local. I bank with a smaller regional bank who provides some modern convenience such as online banking. However, sometimes you can't get your hands on something either at all or for a cost in the range of what is offered online by the well known stores. If something seems to only be able to be bought through the avenue of big business and shipped across the country, I try to either do without or find an alternative.

There are some things that if you want, you only have one avenue to obtain them that might be contradictory to your personal convictions. It then comes down to how badly do you want it? My grandfather gave me a talk when I was young about wants vs needs and I reflect on that memory often.