gordon's blog

The New Economy and You!

 The credit crisis is scary but it doesn't have to be the end of you and your local economy. Here are some ways to you can survive and even thrive in the new economy.

1. Buy Generic and Buy Local 

Credit cards are a necessary evil of modern life, they make things easier but can also turn your life upside down. Is it possible to have a socially conscious credit card?

The all mighty thrift store powers need your help to bring thrift to the masses. There are many thrift stores listed in BuyThatLocally.com but we need more! (Especially the good ones.)
If you, or someone you know, as secret thrift store knowledge you should share it with us. please.

Some interesting links I've been collecting while doing research on social enterprises and social entrepreneurs.

There are many reasons to become a locavore! Lets explore a few of them.

What Is A Locavore?

 A locavore is a person that eats food grown only within their bioregion or about 100 miles from your home. A good locavore will track their food miles and know just how far a food item has traveled from farm to table. 

    Drive Less And Live Happier

A little less than a month ago, I decided to buy a bike so that I could spend less money at the pump. So far it has worked well. It is amazing how many trips in the car can be replaced by self powered transportation if you try hard enough. My bike will have payed for itself in about two months.

Citgo Locally Owned?

Franchises are "locally owned" too.  I was just reading national geographic and an advertisement for Citgo claiming all of its service stations are "locally owned and operated." I tend to forget that franchises can also be locally owned and operated just like traditional mom and pop businesses.

How To Fight Off the Recession With Your Refund Check

Industry analysts  are saying that the companies that will see the biggest boost from the 2008 refund check will low to middle end retailers like Kohls, Wal*mart and Kmart.  As the majority of products sold at Kohls, Wal*mart and Kmart are made overseas, spending your economic stimulus check there won't actually help stimulate the economy, it will make it worse. Your stimulus check money will go from your bank account to the big box store and end up overseas.

Here are 5 ways that I learned to drive less and save more. It wasn't easy but if you try, you can do everything you need to do without draining your wallet.

1. Forget About Brands:
I had to tell myself, do I want to have a Black+Decker drill or do I just need a drill? I just needed a drill. A brand name drill was 26 miles away but a generic drill was only 6 miles away at an employee owned drug store.
2. Coordinate Your Driving:

This May I will go through the MicrocreditNH orientation process to be able to access training and funds. Microcredit NH is a program of the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, they do interesting things with small businesses and low income housing loans.