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I need to more. I don't want local places to go out of business...

I use my Amazon app to price check...if it is only a few dollars less I will just buy the product at the local shop. If it is $5 or more, I will buy from Amazon...usually on my mobile app right on the spot!

Part of our problem here is the accessibility of our local stores. For example, today our swamp cooler motor went out (big sad) and we tried to buy local, but all the local suppliers are closed today... so we have to go to a big box (another sad) to get one, because it's slated to be 95 degrees today!

I do. But we don't have too many small businesses in our area.

We support the local restaurants and hardware store mainly. For other things, it's hard to support local since the prices are so much higher.

I do, unless it's a big purchase with a big difference. I'm willing to spend $10 more, but not $100. Also, it's a small town, so shopping really limited.

We support local restaurants all the time. The majority of the stores around here are franchises and big chains. When we're in our hometown, we shop locally a lot more.

We do. We don't eat at chain restaurants, and do most of our shopping locally. Honestly, the price difference isn't that huge for most items. We bought all our major baby stuff at a family owned, small baby boutique and the BOB infant carrier adapter was $5 CHEAPER at that shop than on Amazon. All the other items were basically the exact same price as on Amazon/online.

We live near an old cider house that makes wonderful ciders, juices and jams all grown organically and locally. It's a little pricey compared to the normal stuff, but so very worth it. But aside from that, the local pizzeria, the closest grocer, and a cafe that serves Asian food, and a few other small food stores, we don't buy much of anything else locally. But it's mainly because of selection. Well, there is a hardware store that we're guilty of neglecting but there really isn't much else in our little town.

For baby gear, I've bought things online almost exclusively. Not only was it cheaper, but 98% of the stuff I couldn't find here. I kind of wish I was able to buy furniture online without ridiculous shipping fees (for the few places that do). Lack of selection has definitely been a struggle for me, but I suppose it's normal when you live in a sparsely populated country.

@andrea, We are the same way! Local hardware stores & restaurants FTW Would be nice to be able to consistently afford other local businesses, but I have a really hard time justifying the extra (large) expense.

I get most fruits and veggies from roadside stalls - a family runs one just around the corner from us, and they are the cutest couple. I get broadcloth from a local lady (she barely breaks even, and anything extra goes to her grandson.) We like trying new things, so we go to a lot of local restaurants (Polka Dot Pig was one of our best local finds. Boll Weevil if we want cake, though their other menu is very interesting - tomato apple soup? Turkey-and-spinach-dip sandwich? Along with rib-eye in a raspberry demi-glace?)

Yes, we try to use local whenever it is possible, however sometimes the bank account makes the call for us. I would love to use them all the time,but financially speaking we just can't do it. When we move to a smaller town again, I will for sure stick to teh small town shops instead of going to the bigger chain stores.

We love to support local restaurants... it's a delicious and wonderful thing to do!

And we do try to support local businesses, especially in our town center because a big outdoor mall sprang up in town and our center is definitely suffering. There is an adorable kids book store and we buy stuff every time we're there, even though it's always a few bucks more than on amazon or wherever... we figure a few bucks is worth it to keep a cute local place going. Plus the customer service is always so great... we don't want those super nice people to lose their jobs or their stores.

I try to shop locally whenever possible, but Amazon is too easy!

We try to buy local produce and foodstuffs, but for other things, its hard to justify an additional cost if I can get it cheaper online.