Hey Taylor: I’m trying to cut back on online shopping and invest more money in my local economy. I’m having a little trouble kicking the habit and I’m wondering if you have any tips that might make this easier for me. — Riley
Hey Riley: It’s an admirable thing you’re doing, especially because it can be so hard to give up the convenience some of the big businesses deliver. The best advice I can offer is to keep reminding yourself that it’s worth it. On top of that, here are a few options that don’t require too much effort.
Dine locally. You have to eat near your home anyway, so you might as well make an effort to grab lunch and dinner at the locally owned and operated restaurants. Chains are great and might have a few deals that other spots can’t offer, but the price difference isn’t so drastic that you can justify only eating at the franchises. Every meal at a local restaurant pays not just waiters, chefs, and owners, but there’s a good chance it supports local food growers as well. Speaking of, going to a local farmer’s market or co-op for your groceries is another good way to keep your dollars close to home.
Service locally. If you have cable TV, there’s a good chance you have internet services through the same provider. Getting that bundled almost always means going through a large telecom company, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The small town internet provider isn’t extinct yet, and you might be able to get really competitive rates by finding someone local. There are lots of options when it comes to services; have copies made at a local supply store, go see the mechanic who works out of his or her garage, pay someone to fix a broken TV instead of buying a new one, etc.
Bank locally. You might have to sacrifice a few conveniences if you close your checking account with one of the financial juggernauts, but putting your paychecks into a local credit union or savings bank is one of the best ways to shop locally without actually doing any shopping. Just by having a savings account with the brick-and-mortar bank down the street, you provide a financial boost for your community. It might not feel like shopping locally, but it has the same effect.
The holidays are a great time to think about how you can do right by your local economy. Beyond the gift shopping, these three options let you spend locally throughout the year. Thanks for the question!
