A tough new years resolution

[Preston]

I always try to give myself a new year's resolution that is creative, and tough to accomplish. I got sick of the 'try to lose weight' and typical stuff years ago so I do something that provides me with a challenge.

this year I started a "zero tolerance policy for BS" so whenever someone something blatantly ignorant or stupid I had to call them on it, regardless of the relationship I had with them. I did, however, have to take into account keeping my job.

I did this kind of reacting to how stupidity seems to be a communicable disease that has people defending their car payments, spreading gossip, or even someone sending me a letter this year telling me "Not to support the Obama Healthcare bill because the government can't run anything" and then sending that letter to me via the United States Postal Service.

After seeing the big government bailouts, and reading a lot this year, and seeing documentaries such as "Wal-mart, the high cost of low prices" and "The Corporation" and realizing that part of the reason our country is in dire straits is because of the greedy corporations that outsource jobs to fatten their wallets with no regard to who they step on in the process.

I have decided on a multiple-step NY resolution, but I need help on how to achieve it... here we go:

1) Buy American made products and goods.

2) Support local businesses in my area ONLY.

3) Do not do business with large corporations.

4) Pay cash for everything. Do NOT use credit cards at all.

Now Obviously there are some instances I cannot get around dealing with a major corporation. Such as gas. However, I have decided that I will only buy from gas retailers that use domestic oil primarily. From research I have gathered that Sunoco, BP, and Hess use domestic oil with minimal if any importation. I hate BP and there is no Hess in my area but I am fine with Sunoco.

I currently bank with US Bank but now I have found I can be part of two credit unions locally so I am going to be switching to them within a year.

I've already found a local bike shop instead of going to Dick's Sporting goods for gear.

Instead of Kroger I have found a local butcher and a farmers market. I am still doing research on this.

I took my computer to a local computer store instead of going to Best Buy.

I think I should keep a blog, or do a video documentary on all the struggles I am going to have to go through to keep true to this commitment.

I think it's time to start supporting the local community instead of the corporate gods.

[ml2620]

Sounds like an interesting challenge. We also try to keep it local. I'd read your blog for research and solutions we are also trying to find.

What about health insurance? I've also wanted to find a way to keep my mortgage local, without success.

[Preston]

What about health insurance? I've also wanted to find a way to keep my mortgage local, without success.

Health insurance through employer so I guess I'll have to eat that one.

I tried keeping mortgage local too, but then it got sold to BoA.

[Monner 1]

I can't wait to see how things go through out the year for you. I totally believe in what you are trying to do because several of them are things I just talked to my husband about yesterday. I guess we are going to give it a go in 2010 also but we are slowly going to start now just to test the water. All of us should try to do this as much as we can.

Monner

[imagine]

I would be interested in following a blog like that.

Some stumbles I have run into with "local only buying" is small chains (sometimes big chains fall into this area to) owned by local poeple. It is still a chain but is owned and operated (not just managed) by local people. I have a hard time figuring out where that fits in. local not local.

Also have a hard time figuring out local chains, a local eatery or bank starts out local then adds stores in other places, is it truly still local or is it a chain?

[NikoSan999]

I would definitely read your blog on this. Would you be blogging on FV or on another website?

[frugalwarrior]

I like this
WE
-buy produce,perfume,honey and shop garage sales,and church sales in our area for lots of goods.
-our vet is a local (we have lots of animals)
Seek out lots of small individuals in your area and ask if they know anyone. Our dentist was our neighbor. We also found our roofing guy this way who introduced us to our chimney guy. Our older next door neighbor always knew what locals were good. We are still a small town in lots of ways.
I would be interested in a blog of your growth this year.

[rowdy35]

very cool idea. i have tried to be more consious of things too lately.

for instance, my little contribution to the planet is that i use cloth grocery bags

i guess every little bit helps

i really like your ideas

[mauimagic]

Every little bit does help rowdy35 - that's what us little guys can do to make an impact.

Preston - sounds as if you have a lot of interest in your blog!! Please don't let us down - we are ready to follow you!!

[Thevail]

We do a lot of that.. farmer's markets ROCK!

We did run into trouble trying to "buy American" though.. It turns out nothing is "made American".

[AspiringToBeFrugal]

I agree...buying "Made in U.S.A." has been getting kind of tricky in the last year or two...more and more is being shipped into our homes from China and it's poorly paid workers.

I work for the area Chamber of Commerce and we push "shop locally" as much as we can--it's amazing how often a dollar will turn over when spent in a local store--your dollar goes to the store, which pays it's employees, who go out and spend their paychecks (hopefully) locally, and on and on. And so many businesses in our area support the local recreation center, schools, non-profits, etc. so what people spend locally is going back into the local economy. I try to spend locally as much as possible.

[hotprincesscm]

Very good idea! I would read your blog, for ideas and support on this subject!

[kaurand554]

for your spin on things..............

you are a say it like it is type person! LOL.....

lost track of the speeding ticket, how did that go?

As for a local mortgage check with credit unions there is one here (Mass) that advertises that they do not sell mortgages, ever.... it is worth looking into :-)

[Sassyclass]

I agree with AspiringToBeFrugal. I stopped at our Chamber of Commerce at the start of summer and picked up a pamphlet that listed about 15 local businesses that sell farm fresh meat, handmade items like quilts, homemade candles and soaps, honey. If you have pets check out your local Farm Co-Op. They usually sell food a lot cheaper than the stores. I wish you good luck and can't wait to see how you do.

Cat

[mommymath]

What a strong and interesting idea! Preston, you might want to read:

A Year Without "Made in China": One Family's True Life Adventure in the Global
Economy, by Sara Bongiorni.

I found it honest and fascinating.