The $150 Shift: How a Change in Spending Could Transform our Communities

The $150 Shift: How a Change in Spending Could Transform our Communities

Imagine a scenario where every American redirects just $150 of their weekly spending towards local businesses. This seemingly small shift in consumer behavior could unleash a tidal wave of economic growth, revitalize communities across the nation, and redefine the American Dream for generations to come.

How a Change in Spending Could Transform our Communities

The Power of Local Recirculation

Studies suggest that when you spend money at a local business, roughly 67% of that revenue stays within the community. This means that for every $100 spent, $67 is recirculated locally, supporting local jobs, suppliers, and community development.

Now, let’s apply this to our $150 scenario. With an estimated 260 million adult Americans, a collective shift of $150 per week equates to a staggering $39 billion injected into local economies every single week. Based on the 67% recirculation rate, that translates to $26 billion staying within local communities each week – or a staggering $1.35 trillion annually.

A Stark Contrast to Corporate Giants

Compare this to the estimated 0.5% of revenue that stays local when purchases are made on Amazon. That same $39 billion spent on Amazon would result in a mere $195 million remaining in local communities – a difference of $25.8 billion every week, which amounts to a difference of a massive $1.34 trillion annually disappearing from our communities.

The Ripple Effects of Local Investment and How a Change in Spending Could Transform our Communities

This massive influx of local spending would trigger a cascade of positive impacts:

• Job Creation: Small businesses are the engines of job creation. Increased revenue would enable them to hire more employees, offering better wages and benefits, and reducing unemployment rates nationwide.
• Thriving Main Streets: Downtowns would experience a renaissance, with vacant storefronts transforming into vibrant businesses, attracting foot traffic, and fostering a sense of community.
• Increased Tax Revenue: Booming local businesses translate to increased tax revenue for local governments. This would fund essential services like schools, infrastructure, and public safety, improving the quality of life for all residents.
• Reduced Income Inequality: Supporting small businesses often means supporting local entrepreneurs, many of whom come from diverse backgrounds. This can contribute to a more equitable distribution of wealth and opportunity.
• Environmental Sustainability: Local businesses often prioritize sustainable practices, sourcing locally, reducing transportation needs, and minimizing their environmental impact.

A Call to Action: The Power is in Your Hands

This $150 shift isn’t just a theoretical exercise; it’s a call to action. Every individual has the power to make a difference. By consciously choosing to support local businesses, we can collectively reshape our economy, revitalize our communities, and create a more prosperous and equitable future for all Americans.

The next time you reach for your wallet, remember that you’re not just making a purchase; you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. Choose to invest in your community, support your neighbors, and unleash the transformative power of local spending in our communities.

According to Chain store age new data from LendingTree shows that 90% of Americans believe shopping locally positively impacts their community, and 65% wish they could shop locally more than they do. Ninety-two percent shop local at least monthly, while 57% say they shop local weekly, 20% monthly and 15% daily. 

#ShoppingSmall #SupportingLocal #ForStrongerCommunities