Supporting your local economy is both good business and good for the soul. I live in a smaller Midwestern city. Our modest town is a good 15-20 minutes from the nearest box store and 20-30 from the nearest mall. Back when gas was over $4.00 a gallon, there was a good reason to shop local. The fact is, there is a good reason even when gas is under $2.00 a gallon. Buying local supports friends and families in my town and gives me face-time with potential clients or people who know potential clients.

Yes, goods and services at small-town shops and stores can be a bit more than at the box stores. Then again, you don't have the traffic, or the drive time, to deal with on your trip. If you put a value on your time, it doesn't take much to make up the difference in prices and realize how much you save by shopping local.

In my town, Chelsea, Michigan, we have stores that sell almost everything you need. Our local paper, the Chelsea Standard, recently published an article detailing everything that you can find in town. I bet your local paper has the same information.

I used to own a small bookstore in another small town and understand the challenges that small-town shopkeepers face, especially in a slow economy. If they don't survive, the downtown starts to see boarded windows and the town starts to die. It is a sad thing to watch and an easy thing to prevent. So, for this holiday season, give the gift of patronage to a local shop keeper. You may make a friend and help save a town!