KEEPING IT LOCAL

It's not until you live in a small town you really understand the importance of keeping it local.

You have a choice to buy your groceries at the two large chains that dominate the industry… or you can support the franchisees of small businesses, or the local vendors at the weekend market.

In fact, the path those dollars take when they leave your purse is an interesting one to think about.

As a consumer we have the choice whether or not to support local.

But when you peel that choice back to the local people it actually effects, the impact is quite significant.

In a world where the cheapest isn't necessarily the best, the modern consumer is faced with a simple choice.

Blindly buy the best option for the hip pocket, or put in a little thought — even if that means a few more dollars — into the purchase that helps your local community thrive.

When prizes need to be donated for a raffle at the local fashion show or football club it's the small businesses who often step up to support their community with goods donated free of charge.

So this May why not return the favour and put your money where your heart is!

After all you never know whose kid you may be helping put through school.

And they may one day teach your child, or live across the road from you, or open your favourite coffee shop.

What goes around comes around, and the lifeblood of local communities is support from the locals.