Buy Local – Save Jobs

The election is now over. Many people are frustrated by who the winners were. What if I told you that was only a small part of the problem? Now is the time to help each other out. Buy local and from independent merchants and watch what can happen.

What is the problem?

Businesses are closing down, people are losing jobs. It is all the fault of the politicians and big business. Or is it? I really believe the root of the problem is our own selfishness and short sightedness.

What? It’s our own fault? You must be crazy…

Too often we (myself included) look for the best deal. How can we save money? Where can I buy for the cheapest price? What if we changed our thought process? How can I spend my money more wisely so it has a bigger impact on my local community? Huh? Why would we want to do that?

Studies show that spending money locally, and with independent merchants helps to benefit the local economy. The numbers are staggering. Even changing as little as 10% of what we are already spending can make a huge impact.

It is widely known that the bigger stores have purchasing power which allows them to drive prices down. This is a fact. From these lower prices, how much of that gets returned into YOUR local economy? If you save a dollars here, two dollars there, what happens?

The money you use to buy local can help to drive more of those dollars into your local economy, simply, by spending a portion of what you currently do with local independent merchants. -Dennis Bosse

When you spend money with a local merchant. They are more likely to bank locally. This in turn allows the local bank to loan money locally – keeps the money flowing within your local economy. Money spent at the big box stores goes back to HQ – Paying for bonuses and executive salaries.

Local Payroll—The locally owned businesses spent a larger share of their revenue on local labor (29 vs. 23 percent), because they carried out all management functions on-site, rather than at corporate headquarters.
Procurement—The local retailers spent more than twice as much buying goods and services from other local businesses. They banked locally; hired local accountants, attorneys, designers, and other professionals; advertised in local media; and sourced inventory from local firms.
Profits—Because their owners live in the area, a larger portion of the local retailers’ profits stayed within the local economy.
Charitable giving—The local retailers donated more on average to local charities and community organizations than the chains did.

Source >>LINK<<

Money spent at your local Mom & Pop shop will go to Dance lessons, School functions, buying gas, etc. This helps to create local jobs and keep the local economy going.

Just think about it, the job you save could be yours! What about your kids and grandkids, where are they going to work when they grow up? That is where you should be spending your money!

Source: Andersonville Project (website not available)

The studies / websites I will link to are comparing independent versus “big box” retailers. This is not even bringing shopping online into the mix.

“Every study we’ve conducted around the country has shown that shopping locally can keep at least three times more revenue in the local economy,” said Daniel Houston, partner at Civic Economics.

Seymour said the study also concluded that shifting just 10 percent of purchases from national chains to local retailers and restaurants would keep $487 million in the Utah economy — money that currently leaves the state to be spent elsewhere.

Source: >>LINK<<

Here is a great list of “Top 10 Reasons to buy Locally” – Source: >>LINK<<

Top Ten reasons to Think Local – Buy Local – Be Local

1. Buy Local — Support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms — continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.
2. Support community groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.
3. Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun — all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit.  “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust
4. Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
5. Create more good jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.
6. Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.
7. Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
8. Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
9. Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.  A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
10. Encourage local prosperity: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

Infographic published by Intuit – https://visual.ly/buy-local-boost

by Column Five Media.

What next?

We ALL need to stop blaming the other guy, put our money where our mouths are and support your local community! Support your local business!

Christmas shopping is upon us. I challenge everyone to spend 10% at a local merchant in lieu of a big box chain store. This goes for eating out as well. All we need to do is change a little bit… it goes a long way!

As always… Truly Blessed!
-Dennis