As a father of four young children, I want to leave a robust economy with more opportunity for them than I found when I came of age. Unfortunately, right now, it seems like we are going in the other direction. Whether you think Government can or should be working to restore the American Economy, one thing is certain, times are tough, and it seems like they may be getting tougher.
This is why, now more than ever, it is extremely important that individuals consider how consumer choices can add up to as much or more change, economically speaking, as individual votes can on election day.
When you spend your hard earned money with a local independent business, 60% of that money get's reinvested into your community. This is a fact that has been validated by multiple studies. Why is this important?
Well, if you like having choices, nice parks for your kids to play in, a sponsor for your little league team, more and better higher paying jobs..... spending your money conscientiously matters a great deal.
In comparison, less than 40% of your money stays in the community when you shop at a national chain (most of it in payroll dollars). National chains as a rule have no reason to do business with other local businesses, your money is sent out of state to pay for corporate services (or even over seas)! These publicly traded companies have to show a profit for their stockholders. It sounds dramatic, but the reality is that they impact a local economy like a plague of locusts - gobbling up resources and giving little in return.
Saving money at a national chain is really an illusion when you consider the whole picture. Perhaps a relevant parallel might be to compare a choice to Buy Local to a choice to contributing money to a 401k plan that offers an employer match. It might give you more money in your paycheck if you don't contribute, but you will forfeit the matching percentage your employer is offering if you do. When you shop at a national chain, to save a couple of bucks, or for the "convenience factor", you are forfeiting the investment the local business owner will make into your community. In my ignorance, I never used to consider this, but now I get it, and now that you have read this, YOU are responsible. If you have read and comprehend what I have written here and continue to participate in a process that is leaching money out of your community, you honestly can no longer blame politicians or big corporations for shipping jobs overseas. Rather, look in the mirror, because you are feeding the machine that is consuming your opportunities.
If you want to run the risk of becoming a buy local evangelist like me.. read this book (just make sure you buy it from a local bookstore through this link, and NOT on Amazon!)
You Gotta Read This Book
PayLessFirst is a local business with a national vision. We seek to help local merchants to compete with big box stores, itinerant retailers, and online competitors by educating consumers on the benefits of “buying local”. We also promote and maintain an online directory of independently-owned, local businesses for the encouragement & convenience of conscientious shopping. To add your business to our national directory for free, click here. To search for local independent businesses in your area, click here
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