My answer is yes. I always visit retailers that are in the closest proximity to my home first (even if the price is higher). I will admit that I do have cost limitations on certain goods and services, but for the most part, I choose local. Here’s an example: I needed to purchase 6 navy blue blazers for children at a local school. (These were donations to an underserved community, but that’s an entirely different story that I will tell at a later time). Anyway, I could have simply ordered the items online at Target.com with free shipping, loaded the box in my car and delivered items to the school. That sounds convenient right? Well, I started thinking. How about I just drive to my nearest Target and purchase the blazers at that location. Better yet, I decided to call. Did you know that Target will take an order by phone! To my amazement, the salesperson retrieved 3 of the 6 blazers that I needed and put them on “hold” for me to purchase at the service desk the following day. My total time for going this route: 20 minutes. For some, this might be troubling or too much work. As I see it, I just pumped several hundred dollars into my local economy. Think about it…I want all my local merchants to thrive in this and any economy. No one wants empty commercial property near their home. It’s an eye sore and can we talk about reduced property values of homes. Now I know you are probably wondering, what I am going to do about the other 3 blazers that were not available at the Stonecrest Target. Well, I am still searching the other Target’s in town. I was told that the Blakeney Target is expecting a shipment in a few days. I am willing to wait.