10 Ways Georgians Can Avoid Making the Rich Richer

Have you ever gotten the feeling that no matter what you do, rich people just keep getting richer? Like, you buy a snack and somehow a billionaire makes five bucks off it?

Yeah, same.

But believe it or not, we can do a few small things that make a difference.

Not in a “live off the grid and churn your own butter” way—but in little everyday choices that Georgia residents have control over.

Use Credit Unions Instead of Big Banks

Big banks are arguably the worst. They charge you fees for everything, treat you like a number, and still hand out huge bonuses to their top guys.

Meanwhile, you’re getting 37 cents a year in interest.

Credit unions are like banks, but typically friendlier and way less shady. They’re owned by the people who use them—so they actually care if you’re happy.

Lower fees, better rates, and no billionaire CEOs in sight.

If you’ve never looked into switching, maybe give it a shot. It’s not super complicated, and it could save you a bunch of money in the long run.

Plus, it feels kinda nice to know your money’s not funding some dude’s third mansion.

Shop Local When You Can

Okay, real talk—Amazon is so easy. You click a button and it shows up the next day. But every time we do that, it’s like handing Jeff Bezos another chunk of gold.

Meanwhile, your local shop is barely hanging on.

When you buy from small businesses—like that cute bookstore down the street or the family-run coffee shop—it actually helps real people.

Like, people you might see at the grocery store or your kid’s soccer game. And local places usually care more about their customers, too.

They remember your name, not just your credit card number.

We get it, sometimes the big stores are cheaper or faster. But even swapping out one or two Amazon orders for something local can make a big difference.

Plus, it just feels good to support people who aren’t building rocket ships for fun.

Cook More, Order Less

Don’t come for us—we love a good takeout night. But those delivery apps? Total money vacuums.

Restaurants get crushed by their fees, drivers barely make anything, and the companies behind them?

They’re swimming in money.

When you cook at home, you’re keeping your cash out of those big tech pockets. And honestly, it’s not that bad.

Throw on some music, try a new recipe, or just do breakfast for dinner. Boom, you’re a chef now.

You don’t have to give up delivery forever. But if you can skip it a couple times a week and make something simple at home, you’re saving money and not padding some billionaire’s bonus.

Win-win.

Cut Down on Fast Fashion

Fast fashion is like junk food for your closet—cheap, fun, and super tempting.

But it’s also kind of a scam. The clothes fall apart fast, workers get paid next to nothing, and the rich execs?

They’re laughing all the way to the bank.

Instead, hit up a thrift store or shop from small brands when you can. Or, real talk, just wear what you already own.

No shame in repeating outfits—celebrities do it now and call it “sustainable.”

You don’t have to stop buying new clothes forever. But the less we feed the fast fashion machine, the less money those big-name companies make off of us.

And let’s be honest, you probably already have five pairs of black leggings.

Watch Where You Stream

We all stream stuff—no judgment. But let’s be real: Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, all those guys?

They’re loaded.

And the people actually making the music or shows? A lot of them barely get paid.

If you love a band or creator, see if there’s a way to support them directly. Buy an album on Bandcamp, toss a buck on Patreon, or rent their film on a smaller platform.

That way, they get the money—not just some big company exec.

You don’t have to cancel everything (I mean, we still need our comfort shows). Just mix it up a little.

Helping out small creators makes a way bigger impact than binge-watching season 4 of something Netflix canceled anyway.

Avoid Buying Stuff You Don’t Need

Impulse shopping is way too easy. One minute you’re scrolling, the next minute you’ve got a ring light, five mugs, and a heated blanket in your cart.

But half the time, we don’t even use the stuff we buy.

The truth is, buying less is one of the best ways to stop feeding billionaire profits. Every time you don’t buy something, that’s money staying with you. Not going to some massive company that’s already loaded.

Try this: next time you want to buy something, wait 24 hours.

If you still want it, cool. But if you forget about it, even better.

You just saved money and didn’t help someone buy another private island.

Rethink Your Cell Phone Plan

Those big phone companies? Total rip-offs. They lure you in with deals, then hit you with random fees, taxes, and “activation charges” no one can explain.

But there are cheaper options out there.

Smaller carriers like Mint Mobile or Visible use the same towers but cost way less.

No fancy stores or big ad budgets—just cheaper phone bills and fewer headaches.

It takes, like, 15 minutes to compare plans. If you’re paying a ton every month, it’s totally worth checking.

You could save hundreds a year and still get the same service—just without helping some CEO get another stock bonus.

Don’t Fall for “Buy Now, Pay Later”

You’ve probably seen those “Buy Now, Pay Later” buttons when you shop online. They seem super helpful—until they’re not.

Miss one payment and suddenly you’re hit with fees or hurting your credit score. Not great.

The companies behind these plans? They’re raking in money from people who didn’t read the fine print.

It’s sneaky. And yeah, the rich guys running them are definitely not losing sleep over your late fee.

If you can, just wait and save up for stuff instead. It might not be as instant, but it keeps you in control.

And you won’t be secretly making rich people richer every time you grab a new pair of sneakers.

Support Public Libraries and Free Resources

Libraries are seriously underrated. Free books, movies, music, even Wi-Fi and workshops—and it’s all paid for with your tax dollars. Using it is basically getting your money’s worth.

Big media companies would love it if you forgot libraries existed.

They want you renting everything or paying monthly fees.

But the library? It’s there for everyone—no ads, no billionaires.

So next time you wanna read something new or watch a movie, check your library app first. You’ll save cash, support something awesome, and stick it to the giant corporations a little bit at the same time.

Be Smart About Social Media

Social media might be free, but it’s also kinda sneaky. These platforms make billions by keeping you scrolling and selling your attention to advertisers.

That’s why your feed is full of stuff you suddenly “need.”

You don’t have to quit cold turkey. Just take back some control.

Unfollow brands that tempt you. Set screen time limits. Follow creators who inspire you, not just sell to you.

And if you do love someone’s content, find ways to support them directly.

Comment, share, or send them a tip if you can. That way, you’re lifting up real people instead of helping a giant tech company rake in more ad money.

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