anybody else not shop at walmart?

i've seen a lot of references to walmart here, and i recognize that they are cheap and all, but my little socially-aware conscience refuses to shop there. am i the only one? please tell me there are more of you out there...

It's all about priorities.

Is your priority to help your fellow humans? Do you make it a priority to support ethical businesses?

Or is your priority a leather couch? Or a flat screen? Or manicured nails? Or gas for your environment-destroying SUV? Or the latest fashions?

Yeah, it's great to be able to afford both.... but even in college when I had no cable, no internet, no phone, no money for new clothes, no money to go out to eat, no money to go to the bars, no money to go on a vacation, no money to go see a matinee.... I made my priority to live my best life possible -- and to me, that meant doing what I can to support ethical business practices and shop locally.

I enjoyed myself at my farmer's market, where I could get four huge bags of produce for under $15.

"...because if she's broke, it isn't in her neighborhood."

Well, first of all, she didn't say she was broke, only that she didn't have money to spare.  And unless she's provided additional information, or you have access to her records, you don't know if she's being accurate or not.

Second, it's not B&E if she was invited in.  

You're sure getting a lot of information on this person from just a picture. 

dude, you all are taking this way to seriously.  lighten up.

blackthorn makes a decent point...and i don't think she means to pick specifically on moodymamma...but yeah, i don't think it hurts any of us to think about where our dollars go (regardless of whether it's $10 or $1,000).  

I, too, live in a nice house and have nice things... but I establish my priorities and don't make excuses.

I choose not to afford certain things because my priorities are different. I don't bother with cable or satellite dish, iPods, and other junk I deem "worthless." I don't need a cell phone to take pictures. Instead, that money goes toward helping people I know are having a rough time.

Those are my choices, and my priorities. But my priorities are different, in the respect that I am not ashamed to say those are my priorities. Anyone who is ashamed to state their priorities without excuses, might want to look deep inside and see why they come up with excuses and why they are ashamed.

My concept of broke: being homeless and having nothing to eat. You can't afford a computer to state how much you love Wal*Mart, you have holes in your shoes, and you sleep under a porch. Once a person has known that state, and comes to know that it can happen to anyone... there are two things that can happen: 1. they become bitter and even more selfish or 2. start caring about others.

decent point or not, nobody has to make assumptions about someone's lifestyle to prove said point.

I too agree that it has to do with priorities, and people choose thier fate (for the most part).

Isn't it amazing, BlackThorne, how good it feels to live up to the best standards you can? To unplug from technology and plug into real life experiences? To know you are living your best life?

It feels so much better than buying cheap crap from Wal-Mart ever could.

aasil,

I agree, we could all benefit by shopping more responsibly.  I just objected to the assumptions being made about a person based on a single picture.

We are all connected. The choices we make affect everyone, not just ourselves.

Be the change you want to see in the world.

leather couch and large flat screen tv...and she's not specifically picking on moodymamma? Did you look at the pic?

If your priorities are to boycott walmart because of their practices, then by all means do so and support your local businesses! And feel good about yourself, b/c yes you do have valid reasons. 

But don't get on your high and mighty horse and think that you are so much better than anyone that shops at walmart.....because you have your ideals and others have theirs. 

It's the superior attitude and judgements I have a problem with, not the point behind the remark.

hgielrehtaeh and aasil get it.

Thank you. This is not personal toward anyone, or moodymama, or whoever.

This is - as I stated before - simply making a point... which hgielrehtaeh states more simply and eloquently than I can:

Is your priority to help your fellow humans? Do you make it a priority to support ethical businesses?

Or is your priority a leather couch? Or a flat screen? Or manicured nails? Or gas for your environment-destroying SUV? Or the latest fashions?

That is the main jist of the original question posted by aasil.

By your responses, I get to learn from you, I get to understand your ways of thinking. I may not agree, but I get a better understanding. :-)

fair enough, stlgirl...moodymomma just got picked (unfortunately) as an example of priorities (not because it was a personal attack), and yes, obviously, assumptions were made.

i don't want to dwell on the point, so i'll be the change i want to see and drop it ;-)

Isn't it amazing, BlackThorne, how good it feels to live up to the best standards you can? To unplug from technology and plug into real life experiences? To know you are living your best life?

It feels so much better than buying cheap crap from Wal-Mart ever could.


It feels good to make the choices that are right for myself.

Psst walmart makes life possible for many people...  just a secrect i wanted to share...

Yes, stlgirl, you are right.

It is as aasil says. It was a bad choice of showing an example... and it was not intended personally. So to moodymooma I apologize if this was seen as a personal attack.

I agree that I, also, will be the change I want to see and drop it.

WOOW  WOOW WOOW.... OK before we drop anything at all.... Let little moody over here defend herself k guys and gals?

First of all... YES that was taken at MY house.  A house we got an excellent deal on from a forclusure.  It's worth 50,000 more than we paid for it....  should we have taken that money and went to a different neighborhood?  We found a good deal and we took it.

When we moved into our home we used sheets as curtains and plastic coke crates as a sofa.  Our TV consisted of a 13inch tv that the realter gave us because we didn't have much.  Well, as a house warming gift my mom gave me a sewing maching (so i made curtains from $1 material AT WALMART)  we saved money for a couch..... but we didnt have enough so we stopped at the Goodwill thrift store and guess what???  We had the exact amount they were asking PLUS tax free... we found a good deal so we took it.  My daughter was selling rafle tickets for her school so that the ENTIRE school could have a pizza party so I bought two..... so my TV cost us $2.  Awsome huh?  

It's ok though.... I have nice things YES... but I didn't claim to be homless, starving and broke.  I just don't have 'extra money' so spare.  If I can save $100 a month by getting my groceries at walmart... (I will take the better deal)  For my family $100 is  a lot of money, and I think I'm throwing it away if I pay $4 for deodarent when I could go to walmart and pay $1.99..... half price, common people.  I'd rather my daughter have a 'new' pair of shoes and an outfit or two that are new once in a while.  You know how embarassing it is to go to school and be the only one wearing thrift store clothes on the first day of school??

Well, this year my daughter's in 5th grade and she got to wear a new pair of shoes this year.  I have such a greatful daughter... she was SOOO happy with a new pair she started to cry! You know how I was able to buy her some new things??  beacause I saved money by shopping at walmart.... 

If one can judge a person by a photo.... imagine how those are judged in real life... ie..my daughter at school with not so new clothes.  makes me want to cry.  We try our best and there's always someone around the corner waiting to judge you.

Eh.... what can you do?  We can't change the world and everyone's opinions.... there are always gonna be those who are just judgemental i suppose.  oh well 

I have my health, my husband, a place to live, and food.... if I have a nice thing or two... Thank the goodwill!! lol  I love that store... I'll admit it  ;)

********EDIT********* btw.... thanks for the compliment!!  I should be a designer instead of becomming a nurse if it's the inside of the house that got her all riled up lol

I did my best and I thank you for noticing  pfft  ;p

well said moody.. you are blessed with an awesome daughter and she is blessed with a great mom:)

thanks swtiris  ;)  She's the best kid ever! 

I was just so hurt when i saw what she wrote.  and I agree with post #289 leather couch and large flat screen tv...and she's not specifically picking on moodymamma? Did you look at the pic?  I feel that it WAS a personal attack... think about it... she even put up a little ghetto-style link to my picture LMAO... how is that not personal? but what can you do??  Just glad its unlikely to bump into her in streets .... she might get mad because I have a pair of docMartins (which i got for $3 btw) lol

Had she called me a bit*h or something, I would have been like... "yeah, sorry"  lol  

Moodymomma - good for you! Theres nothing wrong with working for what you have and I too felt that it was a personal attack against you.  She cant say that it wasnt, specifically pointing our your leather couch and big screen tv.   Yay for you for learning to sew curtains!  My mom sews and growing up she made our clothes because we didnt have a lot of money either.   I think Walmart is a great place for people who ARE thrifty, and watching their finances closely.   

Also, good for you trying to become a nurse!!!   Its hard work and it takes dedication.... good luck to you!!  :)