How I Boycott Billionaire Companies
2 June 2025
I try to avoid purchasing from big businesses, typically owned by billionaires or with revenues in the billions and instead support small and local businesses whenever possible. Each month, I try to think of one new substitution to make. This is my way of resisting systems rigged in favor of the ultrawealthy. Every dollar redirected is a meaningful act. I also believe that focusing on what we can do is more productive than criticizing others.
Here are some changes I’ve made, and I welcome your ideas, too:
1. Use Cash Instead of Credit Cards
Credit card companies such as American Express, Bank of America, Capital One and Visa charge small businesses 3–4% in fees. By using cash for small purchases, I help those businesses keep more of their earnings and reduce profits for large financial institutions.
2. Avoid Amazon
I shop at local bookstores or buy directly from manufacturers when I can. I sometimes use Amazon to research a product and then look elsewhere to make the actual purchase. It's less convenient, but I find Amazon's practices troubling, and I’ve been disappointed by Jeff Bezos’s lack of courage in the face of authoritarianism.
3. Skip Big-Box Stores
I’ve mostly stopped shopping at chains like CVS, Home Depot, Kroger, Lowe’s, Meijer, Target and fast food franchises unless I know they’ve taken a public stand against Trumpism. That said, I do support Costco, which has spoken up. For groceries, I frequent local stores like Westborn and Holiday, or Trader Joe’s, which seems to treat workers well and operate with integrity despite its size.
4. Bank Local
I moved my money to credit unions and local banks. Yes, it took time to transfer automatic payments and deposits, but now, it works just as smoothly as before. And I’m no longer supporting the massive banks that helped create the 2008 financial crisis and helped distort our economy to favor the wealthy.
5. Switch Up Your Search Tools
Google dominates search and monetizes our data. I try alternatives and favor Firefox for browsing since it prioritizes user privacy and resists surveillance capitalism.
6. Avoid Twitter / X
To me, Elon Musk and X represent a deeply toxic form of power and influence. I’ve stopped using the platform. Instead, I’m active on BlueSky, LinkedIn, and yes, still Facebook, though that’s a work in progress. (See this Reddit post for how I’m trying to make that transition.)
7. Support Drivers Directly
For airport runs and other rides, I often bypass Uber and Lyft by hiring drivers directly. Many rideshare drivers are happy to make private arrangements; they earn more this way, avoiding the hefty cut (often 60% or more) that the platforms take.
8. No Dealings with Musk or Trump
I avoid supporting any companies affiliated with Elon Musk and Donald Trump. This means buying their products, going into their buildings, buying their stock, working for them or engaging with them in any way.
Boycotts aren’t always easy. One writer suggests choosing a company that’s hard for you to quit, maybe Amazon, Target or Meta, and listing the reasons it’s difficult. Then, text a friend: “Hey, I want to stop using ___, but it’s tough. Can you help me think through how to change that?”
This is what I do. What about you? How are you resisting billionaire dominance in everyday life?
The index to my prior essays (mostly post 5 November 2024) is here.
I have another blog on Cancer and Medicine.
You can also follow me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765/ (LinkedIn), npernickmich (Threads and Instagram), natpernick.bsky.social (Bluesky) or @nat385440b (Tribel).
Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.
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From Steve Gold:
"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
In the spirit of this famous quote by Edward Everett Hale, I do most of the eight reasonable things suggested below; and with a minimum of effort could do all of them. You/your household?
I stopped shopping at Wal-Mart, Amazon, Home Depot, etc. I shop local now even if i have to pay a little more. I recently purchased 6 five gallon buckets. I would have paid less than $5 per bucket at Lowe's but I made the decision to support my local small hardware store even though I paid $10 for each. It was my small way of saying that i don't support those that support Trump.