Life before 2008 07 Feb 2007 02:40 pm
Gettin’ Real About Walmart.
It would seem there has been a bit of a ripple effect going on in my mind. What started as a realization that I was tired of the debating on Walmart, it’s practices, and whether or not the criticism it receives is justified or not, choosing instead to focus on the very real fact that a company that size has significant power and ability to make real changes in the world, has gone farther.
In the comments of the previous post there is agreement. There is challenge. There is debate. There is a shifting of the issue. The problems facing our world are indeed complex and there is no one single “bad guyâ€. David cornered me this morning, before coffee, and while he sympathized with my ongoing Walmart-angst, he also reminded me that I was expecting too much. The company, he said, answers only to it’s shareholders, and is within it’s rights to do whatever it/they deem necessary to make money. It’s not up for the rest of us to then try to impose our own standards upon them.
As an idealist, I’ve heard this one before. But I know it’s true: they are free to do what they want. And so am I. I did a little “reminder homework†on what capitalism means. From wiki: “ Capitalism generally refers to an economic system in which the means of production are mostly privately [1] owned and operated for profit and in which distribution, production and pricing of goods and services are determined in a largely free market. It is usually considered to involve the right of individuals and groups of individuals acting as “legal persons” or corporations to trade capital goods, labor and money (see finance and credit). Theories of capitalism first developed in the context of the Industrial Revolution and the Cold War and were meant to explain, justify or criticize the private ownership of capital; to explain the operation of capitalistic markets; and to guide the application or elimination of government regulation of property and markets. “ But I believe in capitalism with a conscience. And here’s where I get a little more “realâ€.
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I believe there are real problems on this planet that require a bigger effect than the individual can provide. All my recycling and energy conservation can’t in any way make a dent the way corporate involvement could. I believe that in order to effect real change in several environmental areas, it’s going to require big-business lead the way.
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I believe that people do not save money when they shop at Walmart, no matter what marketing technique or the brain-washed masses say. While individual items may cost less, the stores are designed to ensnare and sell; costing me more by the time I reach the check out. I believe the store preys on the poor and under educated in several ways, from product layout and placement to employment policies. And very often they do not have the best price.
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I believe Americans have an unreal expectation of what food costs to produce.
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I believe we have a country full of people living a lifestyle that is a lie; that very few people actually live within their means, and we do so at the expense of others.
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I believe Walmart’s true sales product is convenience and that it comes at too high a price, for my soul, my country, and my planet.
What made me go back to shopping at Walmart after not stepping into a store for nearly 3 years? Trying to raise a family of six on 25k, without government, church, or family involvement and believing that the store made it possible. What was the end result: I have been reduced to tears of frustration every single grocery trip. I have bought on impulse things we didn’t need. I found Dave Ramsey and the REAL way to live financially free (hint: Walmart can’t sell it to you). I joined my local food co-op and found a way to support a local economy, work towards better health for my family, and vote with my dollar.
So here’s the deal: I shop at Walmart because I have four kids to shop with and I thought it was easier to get as much done under one roof as possible. Because I like spending a dollar less on olive oil and diapers. But the nuts and bolts of it is, I don’t like Walmart’s conscience. I think they can do better. Do more. I think I’m tired of giving them money to ignore that. I think they are not so huge that I don’t have choices, even if it means a little more effort on my part. And there’s the crux: effort.
If I change out my light bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Bulbs, the light might take some getting used to but it’s worth it for the benefits. Any future conversion to more solar power, wind, water, bio-diesel, ect is going to require a bit of sacrifice and adjustment. Cloth diapers do take a bit more effort. Recycling matters and might be inconvenient. For some one who lives where I do, where there is no pick up or center nearby, it is extremely so but that doesn’t free me to dump my glass in the dumpster and pretend that’s okay. If we mono-crop corn for Ethanol and we find we have corn shortages, we may have to eat less corn so we can burn it. (High-fructose corn syrup doesn’t belong in our bodies anyway). Or maybe Ethanol is not all it’s cracked up to be and we go back to the drawing board to find something else that lessens dependence on petrochemicals. But we have to keep trying. We don’t make 25k anymore but we are a single-income family fighting with our nails in the cliff to stay that way for our children. Shopping with a conscience costs us in very real ways.
So effort it is. If the word from heaven this year was, “It’s about doing moreâ€, then I’m about to do it. After I pick up my pictures at Walmart tomorrow, I will no longer shop there. I will schlep my kids to smaller stores. I will not believe the lie that says, “I can’t afford not to shop thereâ€. I will find stores that either operate with a conscience or are at least not the giant beast that won’t.
Three years ago I stopped buying produce from South America and Mexico. It can be done folks. Eating seasonably 100% is harder but going local, at least continental, is possible. You may not have a berry salad in Novemember or tomatoes in January, but they’ll taste better when you do get them. I’ve learned how to live without credit cards. We’re almost debt-free and it’s taken blood, sweat, and tears. The milk across the street from Walmart averages 10 cents more per gallon and I will afford that. I know how to go without and I’ll do that if it’s necessary.
This is how I Live Deliberately.
on 07 Feb 2007 at 4:53 pm 1.Don Bradley said …
Permit me to make an observation. I think about 10% of us are just crap; about 89% of us struggle to be good to varying degrees; about 1% (for whatever reason) are just good eggs. You fall into that 1%. Where you see a kitten or puppy that needs cuddled, I see road kill. Where you see a downtrodden Appalachian, I see a hick. OK, maybe I’m not that cold, but you get the point. I think you do what you do from a good heart, which is more rare than you think. The list of people I can say that of is quite short. Let’s call it the absence of guile. Most of us do not have that kind of purity in our motivations.
More power to you if you don’t want to shop at Wal-Mart. And if enough people join you, Wal-Mart may change what you want to about them. Once they do, another corporation will follow their current business model. Wal-Mart does not make a single product, they are just the middle-man selling the same goods you find elsewhere. I would venture to bet that 90% of every food product your family consumes is produced east of I-35, or within 1000 miles of your house; due mostly to the transportation costs. The labels don’t tell the whole story, because as I said previously the labels are interchangeable and almost inconsequential. They are commodities.
Let me know if you find a good deal on something. I am not as deficient of guile as you, therefore I am always looking for a deal being that I am an economic Darwinist.
on 08 Feb 2007 at 5:42 am 2.Colleen said …
Welcome to the ranks, sister. The atmosphere here is lovely. : )
Cheers,
Colleen
on 08 Feb 2007 at 7:20 am 3.Beth said …
Walmart has semi-announced plans to build a supercenter2/10ths of amile from my door. Around the corner. The combined neighborhoods of the area petitioned county council for a 90 day moratorium against building, in order to study safety, traffic issues, etc. The developer said he would sue council if they acquiesed. So council denied the moratorium, not wanting to get embroiled in a lawsuit with the big guns of Walmart (but apparently not minding the wishes of the constituency). Now we neighbors are really pissed, and WE have filed two suits against council! Walmart is NOT at all listening to the views of the community at all. The neighborhoods around here are generally upper middle class, with some tending toward the high end of that scale. Put it this way, the golf course would be less than 500 yards from the Walmart dumpsters, as a crow flies. all that to say, we can all afford to drive two exits down the interstate to the other Walmart Supercenter.
I haven’t shopped in Walmart in ages, not really for such noble motives as you…. I just hate the whole experience, and would prefer not to have my soul sucked out of me. But with this, you can be sure I won’t ever drop in there again.
on 08 Feb 2007 at 8:21 am 4.Kellie said …
If you don’t let them know that you’re leaving them and why, they won’t miss you or change. Make sure to send Walmart executives your post!
on 08 Feb 2007 at 8:22 am 5.gina said …
I boycotted Walmart for four years as well and then caved as our income shrank, unemployment was real, and as I saw the little groceries stores prices sore to keep up with the lack of business because of WALMART. The diapers/pullups are much cheaper as well as canned veggies- so I shop at both stores. Little(not that little)Elmer’s for meat, produce, and dairy- and walmart for mostly shelved things. At this point, WALMART has us by the throat though because of our income. I’m really good at identifying the tricks of the impulse shopping there and get in and out as fast as possible and staying on the grocery side helps that. I’m looking up for the promised blessings of the year and the day we don’t HAVE to shop at Walmart!
on 08 Feb 2007 at 10:18 am 6.Queenofthehill said …
Tia, I would love to hear some tips on eating local year-round. We have a farmers’ market, of course, but that’s only in summer (and sadly for me, on Saturday). Thankfully, I know a number of farmers, so summer isn’t too difficult. I should be able to garden some this year, too. The other seasons are a challenge for me, though, and I bet they are for others — short of driving into Knoxville for the co-op, or learning to can, anyway.
While I boycott Walmart, sometimes I doubt that all the other stuff I’m doing, shopping-wise, is consistent with that decision.
1. I buy my diapers/wipes at Target. (Isn’t that “the man” too?)
2. Organic most everything else (including baby food) at Krogers.
So, any tips on more thoughtful shopping? I miss the mom and pop stores we used to have around here. With TWO Walmarts in Blount County, we aren’t likely to see any more of those.
When we lived in California, we shopped almost exclusively at Trader Joes, which prided itself on natural and unprocessed foods — and with huge buying power, it wasn’t very expensive. In Winston-Salem, it was the Fresh Market. In Atlanta, we shopped at Harry’s Farmers Market. We really need something like these stores, or some healthy alternative, in Blount County. I’ve often thought of petitioning the Maryville City Manager, but then it was HIS idea to get the Walmart!
on 08 Feb 2007 at 12:30 pm 7.Don Bradley said …
Two suggestions, both expensive on the front end, but huge savings on the back end:
Buy a large freezer. You can find a local butcher and buy a half a steer, or find someone to split a whole one with you. You’ll get better meat at half the price. Chicken and pig can be found at the same butcher. If a new freezer is out of your budget, a used one can be had for a few hundred.
Get a restaurant-style milk dispenser from a restaurant supply store. They are themselves a little refigerator, and you can purchase your milk in 5 gallon bags.
You can shop cheap, but it takes a lot of work. Buy the local paper, and cherry-pick the sales they advertise. When you see a deal, buy a case instead of a few items. I used to do all of the grocery shopping for my family, and that is how I used to do it. Even for those still shopping at Wal-Mart; know that not all Wal-Marts price the same.
Good luck.
on 08 Feb 2007 at 10:49 pm 8.Kyra said …
There are Fresh Markets in Farragut and close to downtown. There is also another store at Turkey Creek called EarthFare (www.earthfare.com) that deals in fair market trade and organics. But if you are looking to buy local…caveat emptor.
Solway boasts two year round roadside veggie stands, everything there is from within 50 miles. (so they say, sometimes they have things that don’t quite seem in season)
Also, to save money…what we do way out in our neck of the woods is grow our own and can it. Granted I do not can as much as I use to, (back in the day when I would can anything that couldn’t outrun me and the cat was afraid) now it is mostly stuff like Apple Butter, salsa, and grape jelly (cuz that is easy-peasy) We also freeze and dehydrate great goodly gobs of stuff too.
Peas, beans, tomatoes, okra, blueberries, raspberries, asparagus (we have a HUGE asparagus patch) and a decent fruit orchard. Then there are my herbs, just getting started, but we have a lot set aside and nothing like a chicken grilled when it is filled with sliced lemon and stuffed with fresh picked rosemary.
I am making fruit leather and and homemade granola again this year…that is a must…
on 09 Feb 2007 at 10:13 am 9.Tia said …
Don, thanks so much for the kind words. And, forgive me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t Wiegel’s sell locally produced milk for about the same price as Great Value at Waldemart? I don’t go into Wiegel’s much, but I seem to remember hearing that.
Beth, you have my deepest sympathy! They did that to a neighborhood in Jax too. Despite fierce community opposition, they insisted on building their version of a grocery store when there was a Sam’s a mile or so down one direction and a Walmart a mile or so the other direction. They do it with a bully-ish attitude that insists “if we build it, you will come”. My guess is that your neighborhood would prefer NO huge big-box store build there!
Gina, we use very, very few commercially canned items so you may find in the years to come that if your cooking habits change, it can affect your shopping habits. I found it to be an unexpected perk.
Queen, on eating local year-round: it started for us by going seasonal. And that is hard at times…round about February when the asparagus isn’t quite in, nor the root veggies, and the apples are dry and pasty. It truly is a month for greens and preserved food! Summer is truly abundant. But “local” for me often means “not Peru” or “not South America” and this year, “not Mexico”. I still buy Canadian rutabegas. There are no tomatoes in my winter salad and that’s an important part of it: you can’t eat the same foods year round.
Yes, Target is another big-box store and often has practices I wouldn’t consider to be in line with a good conscience. BUT….they are not nearly as big as Waldemart (my friend’s name for it that I love). They don’t leave me with the same dirty, cheap feeling when I walk through a store. They sell an image (quality, hip) rather than convenience (any thing you want, cheap) which isn’t necessarily “good”, but it’s “less bad”. That said, I don’t live near a Target so I’m not changing one out of the other. I’m going to use local stores that sell house stuff, make my own, or do with out. If I had Target, like I did in Maryville, I’d shop there and still call it progress as in, “better than Waldemart”.
Oh for a Trader Joe’s!! I’d LOVE one of those!
Don, a freezer is on the list. But I have no time for commparison shopping and no newspapers to do so. Plus, I find by eating whole foods, they never have those in the papers anyway. Your milk dispenser idea is interesting…
Kyra, don’t you find Earthfare to have a creepy-vibe? I much prefer 3 Rivers co-op. Feels more earthy and honest to me.I like their bulk prices too. Although, for people who want fancy-organic, it’s good that option is available to them. Never been to Fresh Market. And girlfriend…if you’ve got any asparagus to spare so I can start my own patch, I’d love some! We love the stuff!
on 09 Feb 2007 at 6:24 pm 10.Kyra said …
I can spare some…we will get together after the patch seeds. It has taken about 10 years for my parents and I to get this patch to the size it is…once it seeds you need to just let them seed up for a while. We stuff ourselves silly on the sprigs in the spring.
Also…many of the things we buy in bulk like what Don is talking about is frozen or canned stuff (the stuff that it is not cost effective or feesible for me to can or grow) and things like Ziplock bags. It really does help to have a years worth of green beans in the basement and know that it only cost you $15.
And yes, EarthFare gives me the oogies. I feel like I am trapped in some strange place where the Stepford wives all have Birkenstocks and tie-dyed shirts. I think the strange sittar music is what weirds me out the most.
You will probably like FreshMarket…little older, not as hyper-yuppie crunchy environmentalist gone anti-society. It has a nice feel to it..sort of a cross between a Krogers and a mom&pop store.
on 09 Feb 2007 at 8:24 pm 11.Don Bradley said …
“Don, a freezer is on the list. But I have no time for commparison shopping and no newspapers to do so. Plus, I find by eating whole foods, they never have those in the papers anyway. Your milk dispenser idea is interesting…”
Ebay. You can limit the distance in the advanced search field. I’ll bet the Knoxville News-Sentinel has a want-ads section online too. If you find one, I have 2 pick-ups at my disposal to pick it up for you. I’m home every other weekend, and a 6′2″ 290 pound son that can help move it. They’re not that hard to find. There may be a “scratch and dent” outlet in the area to find a new one that works but has imperfections in appearance. The cheapest used can be as low as $100.
on 10 Feb 2007 at 11:03 pm 12.Bob Clark said …
Walmart contributes nothing good to a community.
They do not pay healthcare, and guess what the taxpayers in the community pick up the tab. People are
not refused healthcare in this country.
Whenever they build a store the are required by zoning
to provide n number of parking spaces. In about 6 months
after they open they move their garden retail to a large
part of the parking lot. Most of there stores end up so
crowded with stuff in the store you can’t get through.
They become fire traps, because if they had a fire during a busy time, the people cannot get out.
They get away with it, because the community does not
want to lose sales tax revenue. Store managers are required to break laws for profit. I hate them, will not set a foot in Wally World. I will gladly pay more at a responsible store that obeys laws and provides for
their employees.
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