Economy of Choice

In my very first Econ class in undergrad, the professor asked us what economics was about. “Money,” we answered. We were wrong. “Everyone thinks economics is about money,” he said, “but it’s not. Economics is about choices. Choices are what drive economies, not prices.”

That lesson marked the foundation of my economics major. And he was right. The price is often the last piece in the puzzle, not the first.

As a global pandemic sweeps through communities, online shopping has become the go-to for nearly everyone. Even those like me who have always preferred in-person shopping experiences started utilizing online shopping daily. I can’t deny it, for the first few months I became addicted to the thrill of receiving packages of pretty things during my work-from-home day. Fortunately, it did not completely consume me. Even at the height of my two-month Amazon obsession, I continued to shop locally. I knew COVID-19 was hitting local businesses hard and they needed support now more than ever. But when seeking a certain sized photo frame or wall mounts for my guitar that local shops didn’t seem to have, I would give up looking local and turn to Amazon. It was convenient.

But then I saw how Amazon mistreats and endangers their employees. Upon reading Tim Bray’s blog about warehouse conditions during COVID-19 and the leaderships’ targeting of minorities, I resolved to quit Amazon all together. May 4th, 2020 was when I read his article, and coincidently also the last day I purchased anything from Amazon. It’s been a year of navigating a pandemic without shopping on Amazon and I’m here to tell you, I have found other safe ways to spend my money. Local ways.

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If quitting Amazon cold turkey seems out of reach for you, start small. Start by opting local for some items you might normally order online. If you are concerned about health risks, remember that many local businesses have found ways to offer a contact-free experience. Do a little research on your local businesses to see what their best practices are. More often than not, I bet it is more intentional and safe for all involved than the conditions at Amazon.

Shopping locally not only avoids supporting a giant corporation with problematic ethics, it also helps your local economy thrive. And just in case you’re still at a loss on which items you can source locally, check out a new initiative I’ve launched called Local Love Box. This quarterly subscription box will bring a collection of locally-sourced goods straight to your door. A new Top Five will also be coming to this site soon to share the favorite things to buy locally from community leaders throughout the South. Options are out there. I promise to help you find them!

Your choices are what dictate economy. Choose wisely.

The Local Love Box is based in Macon, Georgia. This quarterly subscription service is designed to share the hand-made and home-grown goods of artists, artisans, and entrepreneurs from the area. Each box is $50 and will include 4-6 locally sourced items that range from art, to home accents, to tasty treats. Our goal is to spread the local love by sharing the goods of our community with a wider audience while also supporting our local talent. We want each box to delight and inspire. Thank you for visiting and we hope you will join the movement of Local Love!

Ordering is now open for the Summer Box! The deadline to order is June 10. Boxes will be delivered, shipped, or ready for pick-up on June 18.

Click here to learn more about all the artists that have been featured and for more social links than you could ever hope for.