Shopping Local

With all of the talk about buying local food,  I began to think beyond that and to identify other ways that we shop local and support the real local economy.

I was overjoyed to realize just how local we really are.  I mean we try to shop the farmers market and we get a farm box from Farm Fresh to You, but other things are really difficult to buy local (or so it seemed).  Here's my list after I thought about things for a few minutes:   We get our haircut less than a mile from home at locally owned and operated Silver Star Salon--Tammy and her sister are great!  Thanks to my friend Colleen for the referral.  We get our exercise locally at Cerezo's martial arts ( the guys take Karate and I do cardio kickboxing with a great bunch of women).  Our daughter takes dance at Encore Studio of Performing Arts.  We have our car serviced at Hal's Auto Care.  We shop Green Acres Garden Supply.

When we were thinking about buying a new car, we finally came to the conclusion that we would have to give up all of our activities in order to make the car payment.  If I think about things beyond just the activities, those local business that we are supporting have employees who are supporting families, so we are giving up more than just our activities and interests.  I'd much rather keep the old car (at least until someone comes up with a better fuel option) and support my local economy and get the great personal service that goes along with using a locally/family owned business!

Now I've just got to find some good local places for clothing, shoes, etc.