Have a Good Weekend.

I enjoy the blog so much and it brings me such joy! I look forward to it and treasure my time learning or pondering something new. Its almost like a luxury indulgence. With that said, I would never tell Joanna how to run her business. It takes money to offer a blog and support employees and their families -which requires ads and links. It seems hypocritical to enjoy a free, quality blog then complain how its funded.
We as individuals can choose who to support with our buying choices. Our dollars are powerful. Should Amazon pays taxes? Absolutely and so should all Americans. We should all( including businesses) be contributing something towards all the services that our provided for us. Contact your representatives and let your voice be heard. But don’t wait on the government, we can make changes ourselves now. Look into a minimalist lifestyle. Its not about getting rid of everything you own. Its about only owning what you need, use or love. Let the excess go and perhaps someone who has less can use it? I loved the questions another poster mentioned. Ask yourself is it something you really need? Do you already have something you can use? Make choices on how products are packaged. Look for alternatives to plastics. Support companies that match your beliefs. Being mindful and meaningful in our purchases is life changing. Just something to think about. Thank you to all the COJ posters. I enjoy reading all the reader comments, Take care & Be Well.

I work for a wealthy family and can confirm they asked BOTH their nannies to come in to watch their 2 kids during the stay-at-home order in NYC. When one called the agency who had placed her, the agency said, “70% of my clients have been furloughed so I suggest you do anything and everything to keep your job right now.” It’s absolutely abhorrent. Risk getting sick and dying (or infecting others who may die) or keep your job. What a world.

Amazon is one of those things where I can see every side of the argument. Jeff Bezos is gross. It’s deplorable that our economic system allows this kind of wealth inequality and abuse of workers and the environment. For everyone who boycotts Amazon, good.

Also, we buy things like parts for our cars (husband fixes with Amazon parts, a fraction of what they cost elsewhere, and youtube videos), and washer dryer and dishwasher and yard gates and dog doors and chicken equipment…… Someone earlier stated that Amazon doesn’t sell things we really need – SOME of the crap they sell we don’t need, but my car does need side mirrors and my dogs do need a dog door. What I’m trying to say is that for working class people, and as small business owner myself, Amazon saves us probably hundreds (maybe even thousands with a few big purchases) a year on things we really do need. And hundreds is actually a lot for us. And it’s fast shipping and dependable, which matters when it’s a part for your washer. Or a snowblower.

Do I buy new outfits or makeup or shoes or a new patio set or the latest cookbook?? No. And I don’t buy those anywhere else either. Because I can’t afford them. And also I don’t buy crap I don’t really need.

For some people it’s not as simple as just buy it local or elsewhere. If it is for you, then please please don’t shop Amazon. As long as I’m going to continue earning not that much money caring for other people’s children (I job which I think is valuable and I love, but also has zero benefits and sometimes pays under minium wage), and my husband’s going to earn not that much money working as a state employee, we HAVE to.

And I have a feeling Joanna’s affliate links and the income stream they generate are not a simple as you all think either. I would just guess that if she dropped Amazon, she’d be done. Do you think she LIKES supporting Bezos? Why do you think she included that graphic? Bezos is the problem (and the whole underlying system), not us.

I was just wondering with all of the concern expressed here over supporting small businesses if it would be possible to do some sort of a small business feature? I often learn about small business owners or artists here, and I know I could submit a few for consideration. I have no idea how this would work for a blog, just throwing it out there. )

Those postage stamps are so touching and fun. I went to high school with Jason, and it’s heartwarming to see his sketches taking on a new life.

I chuckled at the Timothée Chalamet title. I read « singlée » as if it were a French word, which sounds exactly like the actual French word, « cinglé(e) », meaning crazy/looney.
I had to do a re-read because my brain was like « Wait, what?! »

Would CoJ consider setting up a Patreon account? I would 1000% percent contribute, and would MUCH rather put my money directly towards the site than buy an item I don’t need so the team gets a commission payment.

Loyal reader here: when will you cover the Tara Reade accusations? I remember how quick you were to side with Ford when she accused Kavanaugh.

Just wanting to make sure you weren’t siding with Ford because his politics irritated you ?

I shop at small stores, I shop on Amazon. I have Amazon Prime and it’s made my life a million times easier and better. Do I feel guilty about contributing to Jeff Bezos’s wealth? I feel guilty about many choices I make everyday–including the types of funds that my retirement savings go towards. Amazon saves me so much time and frustration that it frees up energy and effort so I can contribute more in other ways of my life.

I’m fine with Cup of Jo linking to Amazon–it’s the high/low range of products and prices that make this site so appealing to so many people in a wide range of situations. It’s 100% the right of ppl who are asking for the Amazon links to be taken down. I just want the staff to know that I’m sure there are many of us who don’t feel that way.

Thanks for this blog; it’s getting me through this pandemic!

I only shop on Amazon if I can’t find what I want anywhere else because I’m leery of counterfeit goods. I shop locally as much as I can, because it keeps the money in the community. I realize I can’t buy everything locally, but I do support our local businesses. They often carry products no one else has, or I can buy a product locally instead of ordering on line.

Please do not assume that just because a person is a Cup of Jo reader that they are riding out this pandemic in comfort. I would have commented directly on that person’s post but did not want it to be buried in the thread.

I spent weeks 21 through 37 on “bed rest” (aka house arrest) during my pregnancy with my daughter. It was a lot like this.

Wow Bezos is disgusting. He doesn’t even pay taxes! Meanwhile, the lines at food banks are longer than ever. It’s sociopathic at this point.

This Sunday is International Bereaved Mother’s Day. Sending love and prayers of comfort to the bereaved mothers who may be reading this. I’m so sorry for your loss and your pain. My nephew Wesley died 4 months ago at 1 month old and I write this as a tribute to my sister in law, Wesley’s mother, as well. xo

I watched The Half of It this morning, it was a delight.

Toasting mini marshmallows with my dad over a candle in our living room in the winter is one of my favorite memories from childhood!! S’mores were taken seriously in my family; we had these old school extendable hot dog roasting forks(which were always used for marshmallows, not hot dogs) and would toast marshmallows over the grill/barbecue in the summer if dinner had been cooked on it. I always preferred one with Hershey’s milk chocolate but later in life I came to appreciate the merits of a dark chocolate s’more!?

Love this and also appreciate the wealth inequality map. It’s so disturbing! I wonder if his kids read this and ask him what he’s planning on doing with all his wealth.. or are horrified at this. I would like to decrease my purchases on Amazon and try.. but of course even if you don’t buy anything from them, Amazon Web Services power a large percentage of the internet. But regardless, really hope this pandemic changes the government and business structures that have created people like him. However, from what I’ve read, he isn’t pledging to give away his money or donating, etc. as much as others in his position and that’s on him. With all your influence (you know I want to buy everything you recommend), I wonder what ways you can influence society in pushing for more income equality that is in line with the delightful world you have created and that we all love.. and that supports you and your team continuing to create the content we look forward to everyday.

I love Julie Nolke’s explaining the pandemic to herself! I’ve watched it so many times and sent it to a bunch of friends. She nails it on the head. If you’re feeling sad, or down, or disgusted, this is just a few minutes of humor to lighten your day.

The poster series reminded me of an artist Diana Zeng who is painting a work from home scene a day. I love her colors and creativity with these otherwise “everyday” moments (swipe on her photos to see the original picture). https://instagram.com/dianazeng_?igshid=7chwgwu87dpb

Thank you for posting the wage inequality infographic. I love CoJ but I’ve felt quite uncomfortable with the affiliate link program with Amazon, given everything we know about the company and now in light of this infographic. Other readers have made very astute points about Amazon and Jeff Bezos’ wealth.

Could you consider a) finding a more environmentally friendly / philanthropic / less tax evasion affiliate partner or b) posting a transparent blog about why you continue to use Amazon links almost exclusively?

I do understand that content has to be paid for somehow, and you offer this website to us for free. I appreciate that Amazon probably makes affiliate linking easy and pays well. I appreciate that you have an international audience and Amazon ships globally. But I think the time is ripe to challenge affiliate marketing and expect (and demand) better for businesses and their customers!

I don’t buy from Amazon, had been shopping on the high street as much as possible before lockdown, and still try to buy from smaller independent shops – they need our custom even more now! Let’s create a better future for small businesses, the environment and support companies that pay their taxes together, CoJ!!

This is the headline that made me laugh:

‘I Will Never Lie to You,’ McEnany Says in First White House Briefing

It was a dark and bitter laughter, but still…..:)

Thanks for posting this wealth inequality infographic! It is shocking indeed. I’m really happy to see you guys post it and indeed, like other commenters above, I’d like to ask you again to stop placing affiliate links to Amazon on your website. In reply to a comment of mine about this under a “week of outfits” post a little while ago, someone explained that in these cases you try to keep the source the same when linking to products or alternatives – makes sense, but maybe you could just ask for a different outfit to be presented? And for the rest, there are so many alternatives to Amazon and I would be delighted to see you do your bit by seeking out and promoting smaller, ethical and local businesses. Leaving these comments in the full belief that the people running this website care about these things :)

It’s not so much that Bezos is absurdly wealthy, it’s the business practices that brought about that wealth:
-Tax avoidance, which is stealing from all of us.
-Unfair competition driving other businesses out of business.
-Copying successful products on Amazon and selling generic versions of the item to put that seller out of business.
-Not paying for the cost of environmental degradation his products and shipping incur.
-Not paying workers a living wage or making working conditions safe.

I try and impose a hierarchy on buying things: 1. Do I need it? 2. Can I make or modify something I have or borrow an item? 3. Is there someone locally that I can buy the item from? 4. Is there a small retailer online where I can get this? 4. Is it on eBay? 5. Is there a more ethical larger retailer I can get it from?

Unrelated to this list, but I just wanted to tell you that the post on the “food-would-you-rather” kind of sparked my creativity to come up with my own food game. So now I send a foodie friend who is sheltering at home with their elderly parents and thus can’t leave the house at all a photo of either today’s ingredients or, if that is too vague, my kitchen in various “prepping/cooking stages” and they guess what I am making. It’s called “What are we having for dinner today” ??? and while really easy and not that earth-shattering, it has proven to be a nice conversation starter and way to connect in a small way.