Shop Local, Pay with Cash
So many people are hurting their local economy without knowing it.
Do you shop local? Do you support locally owned small businesses?
If you shop at big box stores, and chains, where does the profit go? It certainly does not stay in your local economy. Many times it might even leave your country altogether.
If you shop locally at locally owned small businesses more of your money stays in your local economy, building a stronger community in your area.
Do you pay with cash, debit cards, or credit cards?
When you pay with cash more money stays in hands of small people, but when you pay with a debit (interac) card or a credit card the banks take a cut every single time - the businesses must pay a fee every time these cards are used. As such big banks get rich, and money is again taken from the local economy. In some cases businesses might loose hundreds of dollars a month, in other cases these fees can be in the thousands.
Enough money is lost to equal a wage, or a raise, from local employees.
Please always pay in cash if you can, and please always support locally owned small business.
Comments
irenen1 wrote on June 13, 2015, 11:50 AM
I agree but sometimes it just doesn't help the pocketbook to pay more for items from local merchants that are sold next door for a fraction of the cost. Come to find out, the merchants are purchasing their inventory there, too. So how does that figure into the equation?
LeaPea2417 wrote on June 13, 2015, 1:09 PM
I do shop locally but I do use credit cards. I know that is not best, and I need to use cash more.
wolfgirl569 wrote on June 14, 2015, 12:45 AM
I wish I could afford to more than I do, but often it just is not the best price you can get by a lot of dollars. I can not afford that difference
Ruby3881 wrote on June 14, 2015, 8:35 AM
We live in a small town that emphasizes buying local, but we also recognize that our locally owned businesses can't employ all those who need jobs. Nor can they supply all the things people in town need. Our first choice is always to buy from someone local but even if we spend at a chain store in town, we know that our patronage means our neighbours are able to make a living and support their families.
BarbRad wrote on June 15, 2015, 2:02 AM
It's unfortunate, but small businesses can no longer afford to stock what they used to. Sometimes you have to go online or to a big box store to find what you need. As for credit cards, you are right to a point. Merchants who accept cards have to meet a minimum amount in fees or they will be charged a flat fee even if they have no credit card sales that month. Don't ask me how I know that. That's one reason I've retired -- all the flat fees I got charged each month whether I sold anything or not.
AliCanary wrote on January 23, 2016, 10:38 AM
I have a local-interest blog for my fairly large city, and I use it to promote locally-owned businesses. They are very happy to give me an interview, so they get free publicity and I get blog material--it's definitely a win-win!