10 shop local ideas

You may have read my last post and felt like you want to shop local, but just aren't sure of what you can do.

Now I want to go on record as saying, I am not AGAINST mass merchandisers. I am a frequent shopper in many of them. However, I also know how much those little purchases, at your local stores help. So here are just a few ideas to help keep some of your Christmas budget local...

1. Going out shopping? Hire a babysitter! There are many looking to make a little extra money, and they are not all teenagers. Do you know a mother with older children? Or a friend from church, school, work?

2. Hire a housekeeper. This time of the year is so crazy busy, think of hiring someone to come in and help you out a bit. Maybe for a special night (party?) or to help you get some of those big jobs done.

3. Hit up a bakery, instead of the grocery store. Need pies? Cookies? Or other sweet treats for your holiday table? Go to a local bakery instead of grabbing one out of your grocery store!

4. Tired after a whole bunch of shopping? Head to a local restaurant for that lunch/dinner.

5. While I don't drink coffee myself, many people rely on it to keep their energy up while shopping. Once again, go to a local place instead of a big name brand company that rhymes with shmarbucks.

6. Hire a local friend or photographer to take your family picture for a Christmas card, instead of heading into a studio.

7. Many places, while have a "name brand" company are individually owned and operated. For example, our local Hallmark is owned by a local family. I can still use my Hallmark coupons, but am helping to support a local store.

8. Attend a craft fair. People are selling things they have made and they are neat, one of a kind items! I love attending craft fairs.

9. Buy gift certificates to your local stores. Who wouldn't love to recieve a gift card for a local bakery or coffee shop? Think teacher or neighbor gifts, people who live local and would really enjoy it.

10. Host a party for your favorite direct sales company. Earn some fun rewards and help out a friend.

Any other ideas? I would love to hear them!

Shop Local

My inbox has been flooded with emails containing Black Friday ads.

I know many people who have their lists planned out and are going to be hanging out in the cold in the middle of the night.

I have stayed home on Black Friday. I have gone in my pj's to do Black Friday. I have shopped on Cyber Monday. Whatever works to get the good deals right?

Right now, the economy is in bad shape. People are struggling to feed their families, pay their bills and stay in their homes. It is a scary time for many.

So is there anything you can do? Oh yeah. There totally is.

While big stores want to make sales, they aren't personal. You are just another person. But to people with local Mom & Pop stores, it is verrry personal.

I love our area. It is fabulous. Very close to my home, is a strip mall. There are a variety of local shops but also some bigger ones. Every Halloween, the local vendors put on a trick or treat for the kids. My kids enjoy getting candy, popcorn, balloons, coupons for me, face painting...They are so generous and we have fun every year!

Over Halloween, I was able to go with my son on his field trip to the pumpkin patch. While walking through the entrance I noticed their fees. During the week, the admission was $3. Over the weekend? $12. Holy cow! That was just to get into the place. As I walked around I started adding up the costs of the actual pumpkins, the cost of food at the "snack shack". Ugh it made my stomach churn. As a family we went to a small patch run by a family who had been doing it for years. No charge to get in, they took pictures for you, they didn't even weigh your pumpkins just "guesstimated". They were so great and we had a great time.

I grew up in the Northwest and there was a take & bake pizza place that we loved. Easy, inexpensive and yummy. Well down here, I haven't been able to find a take & bake place. Then one opened up (in that same strip mall). It is a small local company that donates pizza to my kids school, has nightly specials and a frequent shopper program.

The music store, which is family run, goes out of their way to get you anything you need. Even if it means driving to one of their other stores to pick it up. They have helped me out in a pinch soooo many times. They also support my daughters music program at school.

Jason, a man who washes & details cars, comes to us. All we do is park the car outside and he comes and takes care of it all. His price is more than reasonable and I feel like he actually loses money on my nasty-mobile.

These are just a few examples of local companies. I am sure if you look around your community, you can come up with your own examples.

Shopping local is good for the economy. You spend your money at a local store, they invest that money back into their store, and are more able to support local programs. The money they make is spent at your local grocery stores or other Mom & Pop stores. All this money stays in your community.

So I like many others, are encouraging others to support Shop Local on Nov. 26th.

I know budgets are tight, but if you have the opportunity & means, consider shopping local.

**I would also like to mention those who are consultants for direct buy companies. Like Tupperware, Scentsy, Tupperware, Mary Kay, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Tupperware. Oh did I mention Tupperware? Maybe that is because I sell it (: Support these women (and men) as they try to stay home with their families.

How about it? Are you going to take the challenge to shop local?