I've had conversations with multiple people on why I'm trying to live as locally as I can. For most people the first question is isn't that more expensive? And yes, sometimes it can be more expensive. However, when I spend a little extra on something local, I'm fairly certain it is going toward paying my neighbours (in a local, provincial or regional sense) a better wage. I feel like I get more from that transaction. This also usually translates into better quality, more environmentally sound practices, etc. etc.
I know for many even spending a little more on groceries or clothes isn't possible and I'm excited about examples like this one that make space for everyone in this local living circle. There are a lot of us though that can consider if we can reframe our buying decisions.
Can you think less about how you are losing $10 and more about how that $10 is being invested back into your community in countless ways? Our society also tries to make us addicted to stuff. Can we shift to a quality over quantity mindset and spend the same amount of money to get less stuff that is better? As with everything this is about progress and not perfection. Whatever little bit you can do will make a big difference.
Being a Force for Good 