The U.S. government has launched a trade war, and the cost will fall on us as consumers while corporations will carry on unaffected as usual. Our government may have its own response, but we have our own agency with our purchasing power. We can take direct action where our governments cant impose tarrifs...

The best move we have? Cancel all the American services we can.

1. Streaming Services: Cut the Subscriptions

There’s no reason to keep feeding into U.S.-based media giants.

Cancel the following:

Netflix

Disney+

HBO Max (or whatever they’re calling it now)

Hulu

Apple TV+

Paramount+

Peacock

Instead, explore Canadian alternatives—there are plenty. And if you can’t find an acceptable solution, visit other subreddits like /r/piracy for solutions.

If Netflix is non-negotiable, here’s a tip: Get the $5 ad-supported version, use Firefox + uBlock Origin, and enjoy full access without the ads.

2. Music: Ditch the American Platforms

Spotify isn’t American, so you can keep it if you want.

But consider canceling:

Apple Music

Amazon Music

Tidal

YouTube Music Premium

You already know where to go if you need other options.

3. Ride-Sharing & Food Delivery: Use Local Options

These services are extractive, taking money out of local economies while driving down wages. If you can, try your local taxi service or consider setting up carpools with friends and family.

Cancel and remove:

Uber

Lyft

DoorDash

Instacart

If you’re in an area where Voila is available, it’s a better service—check it out.

4. The Big One: Amazon & Walmart Online Orders

This is the hardest change for most people, but if we want to make an impact, we have to stop defaulting to U.S. corporate giants. Try buying local first.

That said, reality is reality—sometimes these companies are the cheapest or only option. If you’re struggling financially, no judgment. But if you have the ability to cut back, even a little, it makes a difference. Tighten the belt where you can.

Final Thought: Were all in this together

The U.S. government has started a trade war that will directly impact our economies. Governments may respond in their own way, but as consumers, we have a responsibility to act where it’s most effective—by choosing where we spend our money and cutting off support to the very companies that benefit from these policies.

Cancel what you can. Use alternatives where possible. And if you need a workaround for media access, you know where to look.

This isn’t about empty protest—it’s about real action with real consequences. Let’s make it count.

moving back from out east

Looking to move back from out east

Dm me if you have leads

The weight inside my own head... baffles me...

Genuinely WTF. TBh this probably isn't even the whole number. Do they even know how many students and stuff don't have one. OR like how many people are getting counted as having a doctor because they have to go to an ER or an appletree.

**edit. apparently it is 43,000 people who don't have one. so at least I am in good company (in the waiting room at the ER lol)

Howdy! Wondering because there isn’t any word about it anywhere.. which is somewhat strange. Is it any good for preschoolers? Any feedback appreciated!

Anybody have any info? Which bridges and times.

Specifically the Welland canal. I have anxiety about using the Homer bridge.

Hey everyone. I’m wondering if anyone knows of any affordable all-inclusive wedding venues in the Hamilton and Niagara area. I have looked at Carmens Group but want to see what else is out there. We are looking at $90-100 per plate max. Any recommendations are very appreciated !

In need of “quick/easy” car safety in Hamilton or surrounding area! I bought a car that didn’t pass safety due to body issues regarding the rocker panels and inside front fender. The car is mechanical good with minor repairs and no visible rust on the exterior of the body! I’m just in a serious pinch right now and need to get this car on road. Will be paying cash! Looking in the Hamilton or Niagara region. (Private message name and location of shop/ individual to speak to)

Hey Niagara Community!

I’ve been working on an app called Fleety, and I’d love for you to check it out and let me know what you think. It’s a transit tracker app that shows live bus and train schedules using GTFS realtime data.

I built it to make commuting a bit less stressful—no more guessing when your ride is coming! It’s lightweight, easy to use, and (hopefully) super helpful for anyone who takes public transit regularly.

It’s currently available on Android, and I’m working on an iOS version too, so stay tuned!

If you’re into trying new apps or just want to make your commute a little easier, you can download it here on Google Play. Any feedback would mean the world to me—whether it’s bugs, suggestions, or just thoughts on the design.

Thanks for taking the time to read this! I hope Fleety can make your travels smoother. 😊

Update: Thank you all so much for your suggestions! I'm excited to plan another lil outing for her!

Today we ended up picking up coffee from Starbucks drive thru and delivering to family at their place of work. She loved it because she got to see where they commute to every day! Starbucks... She could do without lol. Apparently she takes her cream with a little bit of coffee instead of the other way around haha. Still a great outing tho!

Hi all!

My grandmother is 92 and doesn't get out much aside from the occasional doctor's appointment or family gathering.

Every now and then, we like to break her out do something a bit more... fun? Anyway, I'm wondering if you might have any suggestions! She has a walker and can't go TOOOOO far, so like, walking around Chapters probably wouldn't work.

So far, we have

• taken her to the mall and loaned out a wheel chair to push her around in and window shop
• taken her to the library and then to a sit down lunch

Any more thoughts? TIA! :)

Hello,

I need some recommendations on activities to do while I spend two full days in Niagara Falls, ON in the first week of March with my cousin.

Our age of selfish indulgence needs to come to an end. We’re now starting to see the planets’  violent climactic response to our exploitative lifestyles with abundant and stronger, less predictable storms and weather altogether, bigger fires, and mass die offs within living systems.

In sacrificing our ability to produce our own food for the ease and convenience of grocery stores we are now completely at the mercy of massive multinational corporations that barely consider the nutritional quality of the food they sell, nor the often long term detrimental methods of mass scale production. By being sold into the idea that we are above the rest of the natural world the disservice to our psyche from this unnatural separation is also being exposed by the astonishing rise and prevalance of mental health problems, as well as physical ailments induced through sedentary lifestyles, and lack of proper nutrition, coupled with industrially processed food, fattening our bodies and choking our arteries.

With food costs skyrocketing as various global pressures forever ratchet up the cost of living while wages stagnate, the average consumer is beginning to see the serious cracks spreading within the foundation of our system. The time has come were we need to start actively disengaging with their system. Fortunately it’s not too late and one of the most direct impacts we can have on their power is to grow our own food. The intrinsic connections of the oil and agricultural industries since industrialization have created a truly toxic and restrictive relationship on the development of our society, with very effective disinformation campaigns its hard to deny that many people do no see the problems that the industry themselves were aware of over half a century ago. Also, with current regimes sliding back into verified destructive practices to produce ever more oil while alternative methods exist (and should be far more developed by now), the violent grip on the throats of our living systems is tightening. All this so that the handful of families can continue their astronomic accumulation of wealth, literally at the expense of the rest of the planet and it inhabitants.

You are not saving the planet by buying an electric car. You’re still just padding their pockets. We need to start growing our own food and focusing on living within a truly localized scale. We must restrict our reliance on personal vehicles in favour of public transportation, or get a bike, or walk when possible. The only way we actually start breaking free of our minion mentality is start doing things ourselves. It will not be easy. The ease and convenience of our lifestyles have led us to become disconnected from our true nature, and we need to do the work to reestablish our abilities to produce our own food locally before it’s too late. 

If you are lucky enough to have a lawn, it is time to get rid of it. The financial and ecosystem costs of a well maintained lawn are frankly not worth it. It’s baffling to me that the trend of lawns caught on initially. That in our busy lives scrambling to make ends meet there is a dedication of time, money, and energy to continually pour into a space that has no intrinsic value has become something many people see as a sign of civility is in fact a total waste of space. Start a garden, plant some trees, even let it grow natural is a better application than grass. If you live in apartment talk to your landlord about using any available lawn to great a community garden. I think it would be great if vacant lots within cities that weren’t being used for over 2 years to revert to temporary community access gardens rather than sitting empty gathering garbage would be really beneficial to many people. If you’re living in a town or suburb talk to your neighbours and the housing association about reclaiming your lawn, or converting public spaces like meridians and such into little gardens or natural growing areas. Every dollar saved not spent on lawn maintenance is a win for planet. Every dollar saved by growing your own food is a dollar that the super rich don’t get to apply to the active destruction of our planet. Also, growing food, plants, trees, anything aside lawns, is very rewarding in a multitude of significantly beneficial ways, bolstering mental, physical health, and often fostering community connections. Sharing food that you’ve grown with your family, friends, and neighbours is easily one of the purest ways you can show your appreciation.

If you don’t have access to any outdoor space I still suggest you take up the practice and start learning how to grow. Grow lights are quite affordable and even just germinating seeds from your favourite fruit is a fun, and useful learning experience. A micro green growing space can be set up of and produce higher quality nutritional food throughout the year for less than $50.

Another difficult but necessary aspect of fighting the rapidly tightening fascist noose is to vehemently exercise your purchasing power. Research where you are spending your hard earned money. Try not to support multinationals in favour of locally sourced goods. Better yet go to farm markets and support independent producers. One of the most difficult dilemmas will be for those that have kids, as the marketing campaigns towards children area very effective, but ever piece of garbage wrapped candy further sells our society into the pockets of the worst human beings on the planet. It will likely be difficult for your kids to accept that although they taste good they are filled with waste and carcinogenic chemicals that have no place in growing bodies. When holidays come around and they expect gifts because they’ve been brainwashed into conflating consumer goods as expressions of love and appreciation you need to have real conversations to dismantle the predatory psychology to which they’ve been exposed. Bake some cookies or a cake with them, show them the true value of investing time with someone, and that time invested for someone is a direct expression of care, and that purchased goods are the lazy way out. This Halloween make a real difference by making your own costumes and not handing out landfill waste for them to ingest.

The excuse of ignoring the environmental damage “for the kid” is absolutely empty when the actions taken only further entrench their future within the oligarchical structure of become obedient mindless, wasteful consumers.

We need to relearn how to work together as a local community, the potential for great reward and real value through developing community connections and helping one another out, sharing and caring for our direct neighbours in a meaningful way is the only way we survive the inevitable turmoil that is coming as the ability for our current system to support society rapidly diminishes.

Love and Power to the People.

What Is the Snack Drive?

The Superbowl Snack Drive is an initiative launched by Toolbox Niagara to collect essential snack items and non-perishable foods for local shelters and food programs. This year, the drive kicks off on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at Boldt Realty Inc., Brokerage, located at 211 Scott Street, St. Catharines, and will run until Thursday, February 6, 2025, culminating just before the big game. The event invites residents to contribute snacks such as granola bars, crackers, chips, and other easy-to-eat items that can bring a sense of comfort and joy to those in need. - Full details in this week's www.barometers.ca (Niagara Edition)

Hello,

I was visited by a gentleman in a high-vis vest at my door asking if I was interested in Telus home security? He said he was with quality assurance.

I haven't gotten a hold of Telus to ask yet. Is this legit or a scam?

I wouldn't have answered in the first place if I wasn't already expecting other company, so I was taken off guard.

Has anyone else been visited today?

In Welland.