We all laugh, because we know this to be true- and then feel a small twinge of guilt, because whether we do it this year or have done it in the past, most of us have participated in the greedy frenzy. I know- there are some really great deals out there. Heck, some of the deals may even be items you actually NEED- or, maybe they're actually on your holiday list for someone else!
But part of understanding ourselves and our role in the local and national economy is realizing the impact of our buying habits. Where we spend our money determines much about how the country moves forward, and how we treat our workforce- as well as which political and moral causes get funded by the corporations where we shop. I don't want to create a political divide by assigning attributes to either side, but there are some really strong cases for bipartisan support of indie and small businesses. If we buy cheaply made items from another country at a mass discount at a mega chain, then that's what we'll continue to get. If we buy thoughtfully and support our entrepreneurs and community businesses, that's what will begin to thrive.
A few years ago, a concept called Plaid Friday was introduced to create an alternative to the frenzy. While still consumer driven, Plaid Friday invites you to consider choosing independent businesses for your holiday gift choices. Many are offering discounts of their own, and are allowing both their employees and customers to enjoy Thanksgiving without having to worry about pitching a tent four days before to maybe get one of four cheaply made items as a doorbuster.
As I've talked about other places on this blog, when you buy from your indie/local businesses, you are supporting a local entrepreneur; a neighbor, a community member, a person you potentially interact with on a day to day basis. There's a concept called the multiplier effect, and the idea behind this is that an indie/local business person will take their income and re-invest it into the local economy, over and over.
So, for example, they've likely hired employees also from the community. Those employees then have income, a portion of which will also be spent in the local economy. The business is also more likely to utilize a local accountant, marketing company, attorney, all of which pay more local employees. All of this has tax implications at the local level, too: each of these individuals is taxed, and that's how we afford good schools, good fire departments, good roads, and healthy communities.
As I've talked about other places on this blog, when you buy from your indie/local businesses, you are supporting a local entrepreneur; a neighbor, a community member, a person you potentially interact with on a day to day basis. There's a concept called the multiplier effect, and the idea behind this is that an indie/local business person will take their income and re-invest it into the local economy, over and over.
So, for example, they've likely hired employees also from the community. Those employees then have income, a portion of which will also be spent in the local economy. The business is also more likely to utilize a local accountant, marketing company, attorney, all of which pay more local employees. All of this has tax implications at the local level, too: each of these individuals is taxed, and that's how we afford good schools, good fire departments, good roads, and healthy communities.
Consider all of this on Friday, Saturday, and through the holiday season. Heck, consider it all year round. You work hard to earn your money- use it thoughtfully, and consider supporting those indie/local businesses you'd be heartbroken to lose.
Oh, and another meme that popped up today:
