My friend canceled Amazon Prime and saved $3,000

[amastewa93]

I'm always listening and looking for new ways to save cash without crushing my lifestyle too much. My good friend Suzanne told me that she planned to save a ton of cash by simply cutting Amazon Prime last year. I laughed, thinking I save money using Amazon Prime (right?).

As it turns out, she and her fiance were able to save $3k that they normally would have spent shopping online with Amazon. She said she felt like turning down free shipping or good deals was bad and, therefore, spent more money having a Prime membership.

Do you guys find you actually spend more cash online with Amazon and other similar services?

[disneysteve]

If you can't control your spending, you can't control your spending. That isn't Amazon Prime's fault.

For a compulsive shopper who is the type to buy things just because they're on sale, the internet is probably an awful thing because you can spend money without even getting out of bed.

We have Amazon Prime. It saves us a ton of money and a ton of time. I've had many times where we were in a store and before making a purchase, I took out my phone and checked Amazon only to find the item cheaper. I ordered it on the spot and 2 days later it was in my hands.

[amastewa93]

If you can't control your spending, you can't control your spending. That isn't Amazon Prime's fault.

That was basically my take as well. However, once I started chatting with others, I realized more people may have this online shopping issue than I'd originally thought.

[disneysteve]

That was basically my take as well. However, once I started chatting with others, I realized more people may have this online shopping issue than I'd originally thought.

I don't doubt that that is true. The easier access people have to get in trouble, the more likely they are to get in trouble.

Gambling is a perfect example. When the only casinos in the US were in Vegas, gambling problems weren't nearly as widespread. Then for a couple of decades, it was just Vegas and Atlantic City. Now, there are casinos readily available in almost every state and there is legal online gaming in many states including my own. I can gamble real money legally without leaving my house. I have no doubt at all that there are far more people with gambling issues today than there were in the 1970s when the only legal place to gamble was Vegas.

[bjl584]

I'm sure plenty of people get into trouble with overspending via Amazon. Jeff Bezos isn't the richest man in the world because people don't use Amazon. Personally, I use Amazon sparingly. I'll look up items to compare prices. If it is cheaper on Amazon I'll order it. I've also used it to buy hard to find items.

[disneysteve]

I know so many people who go nuts for prime day. I think that’s what it’s called when amazon runs a ton of specials. They sit by their computers ready to but whatever is on sale. I have yet to participate in a single one of those days because I only shop when there is a specific item I need.

That’s actually another way that Amazon saves us money. If we walk into a store there is a far higher chance of us making an impulse purchase in addition to what we went for. On Amazon if we need a printer cartridge we buy a printer cartridge. We don’t wander through Best Buy and find 3 other things that we “need” while we’re there.

[amastewa93]

I have yet to participate in a single one of those days because I only shop when there is a specific item I need.

That's the way to be! I loathe shopping when there is nothing we are specifically there for (and am one of few women I know that are that way). I've never been one to stroll around the mall aimlessly. BUT I do think that shopping can be addictive for some, especially if they are using it to keep up with others (in a material sense).

[disneysteve]

That's the way to be! I loathe shopping when there is nothing we are specifically there for (and am one of few women I know that are that way). I've never been one to stroll around the mall aimlessly.

It's funny but when I was younger, I use to love hanging out at the mall. My friends and I, and later my wife and I, would often go to the mall on a weekend just to have something to do, walk around, have lunch, etc. But as we've gotten older, I find I don't like it at all anymore. Part of the problem is that the malls have gotten so upscale and are filled with things that I would just never even look at and certainly never buy.

I think another issues, which is also just a part of maturing, is that we really don't need much at this point in our lives. We've got everything we need. When my wife and I first got together, we spent a lot more time shopping to furnish and equip our home. Then there was shopping for baby and kid stuff when our daughter came along. Now, we're in our 50s, our daughter is grown, and really, what do we need? We occasionally have to replace something that wears out or breaks but other than that, we just don't need much.

[amarowsky]

I would like to think I'm pretty disciplined with my finances. I certainly am with savings...

However, I agree with you guys, that it is absolutely convenient to order of Amazon. I think overall, I'm saving money by comparison shopping for more competitive values. But I could argue that the amount of time + money saved, may be eclipsed by the extra purchases I make through Amazon due to the vast selection, convenience, and low price point.

I never really thought to quantify how much less I would sound without Amazon. And I'd imagine it's probably in the 3k where about range. But it's probably cost me 4k to substitute with local higher prices in the long run.

[disneysteve]

may be eclipsed by the extra purchases I make through Amazon due to the vast selection, convenience, and low price point.

Do you browse on Amazon? If so, how do you even go about that? When I go on Amazon, it is because I'm looking for something specific. I do a search for that item and that item only. I honestly don't even know how to go about randomly browsing on the site.

[amastewa93]

Do you browse on Amazon? If so, how do you even go about that?

I browse Amazon daily without buying anything haha - but I understand many people are not that way.

[rennigade]

Amazon is a gateway drug for those who could have a problem with spending/shopping.

[JoeP]

The title is like saying, "I moved away from the horse track and saved $3000!"

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I asked my husband and we have prime. But he said he puts things in cart as he needs and orders once a month. I order rarely so I believe last year I spent $200? I asked if we need prime. We have kindle fires for the kids so we do. But it's certainly not for the shopping.

But the way I see friends ordering I can easily believe that you can save a lot if you don't have it.

[Captain Save]

If you can't control your spending, you can't control your spending. That isn't Amazon Prime's fault.

.

exactly ..

She didn't save $3000 ..

She just allocated those $3000 worth of expenses elsewhere.. might be spending more at Target.

Unless of course she changed her habits.


Trust me ... I'm a recovering shopaholic..and I'm not close to where I think I should be.

The sad thing is people around me think I"m frugal..