Where Did YOU Shop Locally Today?

A July, 2011 national survey by American Express found that consumers say that about one-third of their discretionary spending is with independent local businesses.  Here are some more stats to get you to open your wallet:

Fifty-nine percent of respondents to a 2010 Intuit survey said they spend at least $100 a month at small businesses.  Ninety percent of the survey respondents said that small businesses are vital to the community and 65 percent wanted more small businesses in the area.

For every $100 spent in a locally owned independent business, $68 is returned to the community through taxes, payroll, and other operating expenses.

If just half the U.S. employed population spent $50 each week in a locally owned independent business, more than $42.6 billion in revenue would be generated. 

So, where did YOU shop locally today?

(Sources:  American Express, Intuit, The 3/50 Project, The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal)