#MyMoneyStaysLocal - How am I doing?

 

 

So, let's see how I can improve my number.

Where can I get what?

 

Once I grabbed my bank statements I was surprised to find that a whole bunch of my purchases could be done easily, and not necessarily more expensively, locally.  Granted, some things, like printer paper, was a little challenging to find from other than a big chain, but, so much else is available!

I know that making a habit is an important step in behavior change.  And, I want my reflex to be on local not online or at a chain.

So, I started by looking at frequent purchases and mapping out where I can get the same items locally.

• Health Foods/Organic Markets - Peggy's, Healthfully Yours, Planet Ozone
• Bowls & Smoothies - Ital Bowls, 3Natives
  
• Good Olive Oil - Two Olive Trees
• Produce - Palm City Produce
  
• Fish - New England Seafood 
• Fresh Herbs for the Garden - Pinder's Nursery
• Dog Treats/Food - Wagnolia's, City Dog, City Dog
  
• Pandemic dresses for Working From Home - Downtown Stuart
  

Independent restaurants may be the hardest hit business in our area.  They are truly struggling and many of them will not survive.  Social distanced eating is a particular challenge for small restaurants whose margins are already razor thin. 

I very much want them to survive and I look forward to the day when I can have a leisurely meal in their dining rooms.  So, I built a list of my favorite restaurants that offer takeout and/gift cards and put them on my rotation of dining options.  

 Stay tuned for next month when I run my numbers again!  

Easy ways to support your local economy.

It takes many hands to steer a ship.....

A recent survey by Main Street America found that almost 60% of small businesses saw a revenue decrease of MORE THAN 75%.  And that was as of April 2020.  Certainly, as we small business owners know, things are likely worse now.  Millions of SMBs anticipate closing permanently withing the next few months.

We know that Small Business contributes over 44% to our national economy.  The number is an average, and small communities, like the Treasure Coast,  have an even higher percentage.  How we, as a community, spend our dollars can have a direct impact on the depth and breadth of our recovery.

#MyMoneyStaysLocal is an effort to raise awareness for how important it is to spend locally.  Discover your "Number" by calculating how much of your expenses go back into our economy.  Calculate for your business AND your personal spending.  Then, set a goal for yourself.  How much can you raise your number next month?

You have a powerful message to share with your customers, employees, friends and family when you include them in your messaging on social media, email, in-store that shows your support for local businesses.  Challenge your vendors to do the same. 

SeaShell Digital has a great number yet there is still room for improvement.  My personal number, however, needs a lot of work!

Get more information and tools to help communicate how important this is visit:  www.tcreboot.com

Working together we can right this ship.