Do you spend $50 a month at a local business?

[knoxmom]

I've heard about the 3/50 project where 1/2 of the employed population spends at least $50 per month in a local business. I was visiting some local businesses yesterday and they're all a little anxious about a slow Christmas. Anyway I was thinking and I don't think I spend $50 a month using a local business or service. It's not intentional. I just shop sales and shop where it's convenient. And it makes me feel bad. Does anyone else spend $50 a month locally?

[Carrie]

Do local liquor stores count?

Kidding!

I don't. I am like you, I have been shopping sales. Since I have been trying to get this couponing thing down to a science I have been doing Kroger and Target mostly because I can get so much for just about free. Maybe I will try to do Christmas gifts locally.

[bydesign]

I can think of a few local business that I shop at, or eat out on a monthly basis. Pretty sure all these are locally owned and am definitely spending 50$ plus especially if you combine them. We go to Lenny's probably once or twice a week.

Rabbits Foot
Smart Toy & Books
Me and Mommy to Be
Sitar
Lenny's Sub Shop
Bradley's Chocalate Shop

[bydesign]

And local liquor stores definitely count and I always use the same one. That was why there was a big push by local owners not to sell wine in grocery stores.

[Gabrielle]

Yep, we do. We buy many of our groceries at Three Rivers Market (which has some FANTASTIC sales this month on organics). We visit the local farmers markets regularly. When we eat out we try to patronize local restaurants when we can. The Knox County School Coupon Book helps a lot with that! I've purchased pottery from a friend who does some amazing work, and this has helped me to get a lot of my holiday shopping done all at once. I know we should be buying even more of our gifts locally and are trying to do so.

The best thing about buying from local sources is that more of the money stays in our community. It is hard to hear about any business going out or any person being fired, but it is even harder for us to hear about the mom and pop types of businesses going under. I was speaking with a real estate appraiser just the other day about how hard the construction industry has been hit recently, and he told me some sad stories about businesses going under and homes being foreclosed. If you've read my blog at all, you know I'm the first one to jump on a good deal, and to me, the best deal is when I can find a service or product through a local source at a good price.

Thanks for opening up this conversation Ali! It is a good reminder to all of us that we need to look out for our friends and neighbors. Next time you are going shopping, consider a local store. Next time you are eating out, stop by a local restaurant.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Gabrielle
couponingincriticaltimes.blogspot.com

[Kristen]

Most of our local spending comes in the form of eating out. I'm not sure if we do $50 a month every month, but we do our share. =)

[vegmom]

I see someone posted Farmers Markets. If that counts then I definitely did $50 or more per month through the summer. We also spent some at the Herb Farm. And the Fruit and Berry Patch in the Spring/Fall.

I also enjoy the local shop in Farragut on Campbell Station that has natural and organic unique items.

Got my Tiffin from them and its still my favorite lunchtime contraption... But its not someplace I would need to go to all the time. And Tomato Head, that's local right? DEF. Spend $50 per month there.

Not sure I have any others?