Do you think about the statement you’re making when you spend money?

Do you remember the “Made in the USA” campaign geared to get people to buy locally made merchandise. It turned out, people weren’t willing to spend more money to protect jobs in the US. Buying cheaper merchandise made in China was more appealing than the helping people in the local community earn decent wages or even maintain employment.

This is why I won’t shop at Wal-Mart. As you may or may not know, Wal-Mart has so much purchasing power, they can literally close factories in the US and move them overseas. Losing a deal with Wal-Mart could be considered a commercial catastrophe. So, companies do what they can to keep the Big Blue Box happy. If that means firing 400 people and crippling the economy of a town, so be it. Bring on the LOW PRICES!

This isn’t really a message targeted at Wal-Mart. Most stores use buying power to garner more competitive prices, but Wal-Mart has taken it to a whole new level. Still, we’re faced with these choices all the time.

Here’s an easy exercise you can do to see the effect of buying products produced locally or in Canada, at least. Go to a Farmers’ Market and buy goods off local producers. You’ll be giving money to people in your community and you’ll instantly boost the economy. The same can be said for drinking your local craft beer at the pub.

Think of what happens when you loan a pal $100 to help him out. It makes his life easier and better and he’s able to be more productive and do something for you in the future.

Read the labels. Buying locally makes a big difference. It’s worth spending the money.