The idea is simple. Which 3 locally-owned stores would you miss the most if they went out of business? Spend a total of $50 per month in those 3 stores to contribute to their well-being. Contribute to your neighborhood’s vibrancy and help stimulate its economy.

That’s the idea behind The 3/50 Project, a grassroots campaign that attempts to get people to consider where they spend their money, and what effect it has on their community. As you might, expect, we are all for it.

According to The 3/50 Project:

“If just half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned businesses, their purchases
would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.”

And, much moreso than when shopping in chains, that money continues to
circulate around the local economy. We’ve said it before and we will
say it again, for every dollar you spend at a locally-owned shop, 68
cents comes back into the local economy. Compare that with 43 cents for
everything you purchase at a national chain.

So, we ask you – what 3 locally-owned businesses could you not do without? Be sure to leave us a comment, and then stop by to support them. These entrepreneurs could probably use your support now more than ever.