A week into my year-long project and I have to admit I'm struggling. I really want mozzarella cheese, but the kind I like I have not been able to find at a community grocery store.
Since getting $9.80 back from Starbucks I've wanted to go to Coffee Bar, a Truckee gem. Apparently, everyone knows this. For the past four days I have been unable to find parking. Today, I parked on the street, determined to see the inside of the place. It was packed. The cinnamon rolls were over-iced. I like the frosting, but preferred the old un-frosted rolls best. Coffee Bar hasn't made them without frosting for more than a year now, despite my constant request. But today, they were particularly frosty so I opted for a blueberry bran muffin. Not wanting to leave my dog in my car parked on the street, I took my treats to go. Ultimately, I found this unrewarding and a waste of the $9.80 I secured from Starbucks.
Tonight, I'm eating noodles soaked in butter. I admit, this is the way I usually eat noodles. I just wish I had mozzarella cheese to go with them! Ugh!
Other notable items: paper towels are a fortune at community grocery stores. I think I will invest in cloth napkins. Wine is more interesting and the store clerks are much more knowledgeable about where the wine comes from, how its made, if it has sulfites. I've also found the prices of wine to be very reasonable.
I was told to buy a certain type of cream that I cannot find at my local mom and pop store, New Moon. I had planned to run an experiment using store bought cream vs. homemade cream. I was told the reason the store didn't carry those was because they had known carcinogens (see Kaori Oils for more). Wow! Safeway never looks out for me like that!
So aside from a moz-cheese melt down things are going.
Tomorrow I'm venturing out to another mom and pop in Kings Beach: Tahoe Community Market. They serve sandwiches. I intend to walk the dog and eat a sandwich. Maybe Theodore and I will share the sandwich :)
Friday, December 29, 2017
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Commitment to Community
On December 23rd I posted on FB a "no conglomerates" challenge - mainly for myself, but open to anyone who wants to join me in shopping within the community, not avoiding the community. I realized after posting that challenge that so many things were left unsaid. This blog is long, but does my best to get the year started.
Second step: Remove all affiliate marketing to Amazon (and others, but I only have affiliate marketing with Amazon). I think I've done that, but if any of you notice I have not, please let me know :)
Third Step: Establish the definition of "conglomerate". It could be argued that this is the first step, but I needed to free myself from Amazon first. Can there be a distinction between privately held and publicly traded companies. No. There are huge stores that are not publicly traded. Forbes compiles lists of these and to make the list revenues must be greater than $2 billion (with a "b"). Companies that have made the list include: Albertson's, Toys R Us, PetSmart, and, until last year, Dell. To see Forbes 2017 list, click here.
I don't think it's fair to say that businesses cannot make money. That is the goal of any business. So what constitutes a small business? A community business? Suffice to say that Toy R Us would not open a shop in Truckee, California. It is a large corporation. A community business doesn't need to wait until the next board meeting to make decisions. A community business doesn't go into the business with the intention of putting other businesses out of business or cares if they do. Instead it is an asset to the community.
REI and Briar Patch are co-ops. REI is arguably a very large corporation. It is owned by its members. Members receive a dividend check every year. Mountain Hardware in Truckee is employee owned. These businesses give back to the people that shop (use), work, and/or benefit from the business.
In-N-Out Burger, admittedly an annual indulgence of mine, has 304 stores, all owned by the Snyder family, and worth over $1 billion. It is a very large family-owned business. In-N-Out's growth is dependent on the location of their distribution centers. None of the meat is ever frozen or microwaved.
This is an excellent segue way to supply chain. Where are the items in the store made? Look on the back of the packaging of most items sold at Toys R Us to learn they are not made in the United States. What about Patagonia? Most of their clothing is not made in the United States. Is Patagonia a conglomerate? A large corporation? What are their buying practices? Maybe there is a better choice for certain items, like Inner Waves Organics for yoga-style clothing. I certainly don't think purchasing Patagonia clothing is the same as purchasing WalMart clothing. I had a friend who worked fairly high up in the Patagonia company. She shared a lot of their business practices with me. I feel confident in spending money at Patagonia.
Online small businesses are certainly prevalent in today's internet-centered economy. There are things that I will not be able to find in Truckee. But I have a choice to find a company that is not Amazon. Most online retailers are savvy and have figured out that letting people know about their business practices is important and does make a difference.
Maybe it's easier to define a non-conglomerate. Employee-owned, family owned, independently owned, and member-owned (co-op) businesses. These are key words. Buying and/or supply chain practices that foster community development, offer safe working conditions, opportunities for growth, and do not employ under-aged workers. Companies that give a damn about carbon footprint and how long it takes to get strawberries from overseas to New York City in the middle of winter.
This is what I mean. This is where I want to shop this year.
Fourth step: Ground rules.
I told my brother what I was doing and he brought up some interesting points. He asked what cellular company I use? Utilities, etc. Fortunately, where I live, my utilities are all local except for gas, however, I use propane, which is local. I am not advocating that anyone cut themselves off from power, water, and cellular service. While it is a personal goal of mine to live off the grid and I'm taking steps to do so (a different blog all together) this year is about living in the community and shopping at the stores my neighbors own.
Ground Rule #1: OK to use public utilities.
Goal: Turn off the cell phone 1 full day 1 day a week. Most likely that will be Monday's for me.
He then asked if I would buy Kraft Mac & Cheese. I don't actually buy Kraft Mac & Cheese, but for sake of argument, let's stick with that example. The answer is yes - if it is purchased from a community grocer. My community grocer buys wholesale, just like the big guys -- Safeway, Save Mart, and Costco. I'm still supporting my community grocer regardless of the products I buy. Incidentally, I went to Village Market in Incline Village, a family owned grocery store for 35 years. Village Market does not carry Kraft Mac & Cheese. I looked.
Ground Rule #2: OK to purchase any brand as long as it if from community supplier.
Goal: Purchase brand that use sustainable practices -- we still don't really know what's inside a Kraft Mac & Cheese box.
My brother then asked where I was going to buy my gas. It's been a long time since we've seen truly independent gas stations. I do remember them, when I first started driving over 30 years ago. However, most gas stations are independently owned. I met a gas station owner a few months ago. I was catching a plane to Bali and thought I'd walk from the train station to the airport. On my way, it started pouring rain that turned to hail. I took cover under the awning of an AM/PM. A gentleman pulled up in a worn out Ford Mustang from the late 80's. He seemed harmless so I asked him for a ride. Turns out he was a private pilot chartered by a major casino owner to run between Reno and Las Vegas. As a side project he bought an AM/PM in Reno. He no longer works as a private pilot, but his gas station is paid for -- as well as his Ford Mustang. (This man is a an incredible role model for building wealth -- again, a different blog.) The last time I got gas in Reno, I actually drove a bit out of the way to use his AM/PM.
Ground Rule #3: Get gas from independently owned gas stations. Get to know the owner/operator
Goal: Park the car for at least 1 full day and walk or ride a bike.
About that time, my mom joined the conversation and bet that I'd go to Starbucks before the year is out. I looked at the balance on my Starbucks app: $9.80. I did go to Starbucks this year. I went earlier today. I requested a refund of the balance remaining on the app. Turns out in California if a gift card has a balance under $10 can be redeemed for cash. Apps are considered gift cards.
Ground Rule #4: Try to get refunds from balances left over from the past.
Goal: There is no perfect time to start something like this. This has been an ongoing shift over the past several years. Maybe my mom may be right that I will go to Starbucks before the end of the year. It's not about perfection. I hope I'm never perfect. I hope that I always continue to strive to be perfect.
The next topic was transportation, specifically, flying. Last year I was out of the country almost six months. I flew several major airlines and a few smaller airlines. I hope to fly to Iceland and South America this coming year. I know that my pocket book cannot afford to charter a private plane. I find myself completely stumped. I believe in my heart of hearts that the cultural experiences gained from traveling far exceed anything we can ever read in a book. While traveling, I have charted private planes and independently-owed airlines.
Ground Rule #5: Major airlines, train lines, etc. OK.
Goal: See if an alternative is available and within the budget.
Finally, for those that are still skeptical, the number one way we vote in this country is with our dollars. Don't be fooled by election years. We vote all year long, every day, everywhere we spend money. When we purchase something made overseas on Amazon, we just voted to receive items from overseas, at an easy-to-shop venue like Amazon. Likewise, when we visit Village Market in Incline Village, NV we vote to keep Village Market. Think of it as 1 point for Amazon. One point for Village Market. Then multiple that by all the various items one can purchase on Amazon vs. what one might be able to buy locally. That's a lot of points for Amazon. At the end of the day, who do you want to have all your points?
Follow me through this exploration of local (or loco) on Instagram at samaararobbins. Watch for my hashtags (still learning what that actually even means) #makeeverydollarcount, #outsidethebox, and #liveatthelake. Visit Facebook and this blog (www.killerliving.com). Comments welcome. :)
First step: Cancel Amazon Prime membership.
Second step: Remove all affiliate marketing to Amazon (and others, but I only have affiliate marketing with Amazon). I think I've done that, but if any of you notice I have not, please let me know :)
Third Step: Establish the definition of "conglomerate". It could be argued that this is the first step, but I needed to free myself from Amazon first. Can there be a distinction between privately held and publicly traded companies. No. There are huge stores that are not publicly traded. Forbes compiles lists of these and to make the list revenues must be greater than $2 billion (with a "b"). Companies that have made the list include: Albertson's, Toys R Us, PetSmart, and, until last year, Dell. To see Forbes 2017 list, click here.
I don't think it's fair to say that businesses cannot make money. That is the goal of any business. So what constitutes a small business? A community business? Suffice to say that Toy R Us would not open a shop in Truckee, California. It is a large corporation. A community business doesn't need to wait until the next board meeting to make decisions. A community business doesn't go into the business with the intention of putting other businesses out of business or cares if they do. Instead it is an asset to the community.
REI and Briar Patch are co-ops. REI is arguably a very large corporation. It is owned by its members. Members receive a dividend check every year. Mountain Hardware in Truckee is employee owned. These businesses give back to the people that shop (use), work, and/or benefit from the business.
In-N-Out Burger, admittedly an annual indulgence of mine, has 304 stores, all owned by the Snyder family, and worth over $1 billion. It is a very large family-owned business. In-N-Out's growth is dependent on the location of their distribution centers. None of the meat is ever frozen or microwaved.
This is an excellent segue way to supply chain. Where are the items in the store made? Look on the back of the packaging of most items sold at Toys R Us to learn they are not made in the United States. What about Patagonia? Most of their clothing is not made in the United States. Is Patagonia a conglomerate? A large corporation? What are their buying practices? Maybe there is a better choice for certain items, like Inner Waves Organics for yoga-style clothing. I certainly don't think purchasing Patagonia clothing is the same as purchasing WalMart clothing. I had a friend who worked fairly high up in the Patagonia company. She shared a lot of their business practices with me. I feel confident in spending money at Patagonia.
Online small businesses are certainly prevalent in today's internet-centered economy. There are things that I will not be able to find in Truckee. But I have a choice to find a company that is not Amazon. Most online retailers are savvy and have figured out that letting people know about their business practices is important and does make a difference.
Maybe it's easier to define a non-conglomerate. Employee-owned, family owned, independently owned, and member-owned (co-op) businesses. These are key words. Buying and/or supply chain practices that foster community development, offer safe working conditions, opportunities for growth, and do not employ under-aged workers. Companies that give a damn about carbon footprint and how long it takes to get strawberries from overseas to New York City in the middle of winter.
This is what I mean. This is where I want to shop this year.
Fourth step: Ground rules.
I told my brother what I was doing and he brought up some interesting points. He asked what cellular company I use? Utilities, etc. Fortunately, where I live, my utilities are all local except for gas, however, I use propane, which is local. I am not advocating that anyone cut themselves off from power, water, and cellular service. While it is a personal goal of mine to live off the grid and I'm taking steps to do so (a different blog all together) this year is about living in the community and shopping at the stores my neighbors own.
Ground Rule #1: OK to use public utilities.
Goal: Turn off the cell phone 1 full day 1 day a week. Most likely that will be Monday's for me.
He then asked if I would buy Kraft Mac & Cheese. I don't actually buy Kraft Mac & Cheese, but for sake of argument, let's stick with that example. The answer is yes - if it is purchased from a community grocer. My community grocer buys wholesale, just like the big guys -- Safeway, Save Mart, and Costco. I'm still supporting my community grocer regardless of the products I buy. Incidentally, I went to Village Market in Incline Village, a family owned grocery store for 35 years. Village Market does not carry Kraft Mac & Cheese. I looked.
Ground Rule #2: OK to purchase any brand as long as it if from community supplier.
Goal: Purchase brand that use sustainable practices -- we still don't really know what's inside a Kraft Mac & Cheese box.
My brother then asked where I was going to buy my gas. It's been a long time since we've seen truly independent gas stations. I do remember them, when I first started driving over 30 years ago. However, most gas stations are independently owned. I met a gas station owner a few months ago. I was catching a plane to Bali and thought I'd walk from the train station to the airport. On my way, it started pouring rain that turned to hail. I took cover under the awning of an AM/PM. A gentleman pulled up in a worn out Ford Mustang from the late 80's. He seemed harmless so I asked him for a ride. Turns out he was a private pilot chartered by a major casino owner to run between Reno and Las Vegas. As a side project he bought an AM/PM in Reno. He no longer works as a private pilot, but his gas station is paid for -- as well as his Ford Mustang. (This man is a an incredible role model for building wealth -- again, a different blog.) The last time I got gas in Reno, I actually drove a bit out of the way to use his AM/PM.
Ground Rule #3: Get gas from independently owned gas stations. Get to know the owner/operator
Goal: Park the car for at least 1 full day and walk or ride a bike.
About that time, my mom joined the conversation and bet that I'd go to Starbucks before the year is out. I looked at the balance on my Starbucks app: $9.80. I did go to Starbucks this year. I went earlier today. I requested a refund of the balance remaining on the app. Turns out in California if a gift card has a balance under $10 can be redeemed for cash. Apps are considered gift cards.Ground Rule #4: Try to get refunds from balances left over from the past.
Goal: There is no perfect time to start something like this. This has been an ongoing shift over the past several years. Maybe my mom may be right that I will go to Starbucks before the end of the year. It's not about perfection. I hope I'm never perfect. I hope that I always continue to strive to be perfect.
The next topic was transportation, specifically, flying. Last year I was out of the country almost six months. I flew several major airlines and a few smaller airlines. I hope to fly to Iceland and South America this coming year. I know that my pocket book cannot afford to charter a private plane. I find myself completely stumped. I believe in my heart of hearts that the cultural experiences gained from traveling far exceed anything we can ever read in a book. While traveling, I have charted private planes and independently-owed airlines.
Ground Rule #5: Major airlines, train lines, etc. OK.
Goal: See if an alternative is available and within the budget.
Finally, for those that are still skeptical, the number one way we vote in this country is with our dollars. Don't be fooled by election years. We vote all year long, every day, everywhere we spend money. When we purchase something made overseas on Amazon, we just voted to receive items from overseas, at an easy-to-shop venue like Amazon. Likewise, when we visit Village Market in Incline Village, NV we vote to keep Village Market. Think of it as 1 point for Amazon. One point for Village Market. Then multiple that by all the various items one can purchase on Amazon vs. what one might be able to buy locally. That's a lot of points for Amazon. At the end of the day, who do you want to have all your points?
Follow me through this exploration of local (or loco) on Instagram at samaararobbins. Watch for my hashtags (still learning what that actually even means) #makeeverydollarcount, #outsidethebox, and #liveatthelake. Visit Facebook and this blog (www.killerliving.com). Comments welcome. :)
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