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The economy is in a really strange place right now. With the uncertainty around what the current administration may do or undo next, untied from any usual economic policy, we’re wading in rather uncharted waters. One issue (of many) that I’m paying attention to is the size and power of certain big players in our economic fabric—and what we can do about it when so much feels out of our control.

There are many complex issues intersecting here, but one relatively simple principle stands out to me, perhaps because I’ve been particularly guilty in this area.

I’m asking myself, “What happens when the big guys are the only players left?”

For example, my in-laws live in a town of about 1,000 people in the Midwest. Their small town has its own family-owned grocery store and some estimate that 20% of the town would have to move away if that store were to close. After all, not everyone has the ability to drive 20 miles down a rural highway in blowing snow to reach the big corporate-owned grocery or discount store.

This example is a microcosm of what happens everywhere in any industry.

But why care?

In short, when there are only a few players left in any industry, the whole landscape becomes increasingly fixed and monotonous. And the leverage of customers, employees, and neighbors to negotiate anything from prices and wages to building sizes and ethical sourcing decreases dramatically.

So how do we keep small businesses that enrich and reflect our communities alive? The answer is pretty simple: we spend our money there.

And when the broader world feels out of control, nurturing life in your local community becomes all the more important.

In this spirit, I recently took the kids to a nearby historic downtown district and, in addition to the local history museum, we discovered some gems I’d hate to see disappear.

Because you can’t peruse a personally curated collection of great books, art, or plants, let alone get beautiful (and delicious) unicorn- or cookie monster-themed macarons on Amazon.

But you can find all that, and more, at small, independent shops, galleries, and restaurants owned by your neighbors. (Also, check out bookstore.org to support an independent book shop of your choice while enjoying the convenience of online ordering.)

To use your money in this value-directed way, however, you must manage your money consciously. Buying a full price book at a small local business compared to the (as I’m learning) undercut prices on Amazon takes a little bit of sacrifice and intention.

It’s not necessarily about more things for your money, but more value in a bigger picture sense.

But I’m increasingly believing that it’s not only worthwhile, it’s essential to avoid living in a grim, monopolized economy where the everyday person has zero power.

What kind of future are your money habits creating, not only for yourself and your family, but for your entire community?

All of us, it has been said, are here because someone took care of us when we were small and defenseless.

The work of our lives is to go from this dependence to dependability, from being taken care of to being a caretaker—but not just for our own children if we choose to have them, but for others, for ideas, for causes, for justice itself.

Ryan Holiday in Discipline is Destiny

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Under 2, an email series designed to share quick bites of wisdom to empower your financial journey (while keeping it short). Be sure to sign-up below to get these messages in your inbox.

All for now,

Lindsey

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