Visit an independent business instead of a chain

Supporting independent businesses helps to preserve choices and keep things interesting - for yourself, for your neighborhood, and for the local economy. And it's easy and enjoyable to do: get your espresso at the Italian-style cafe rather than a Starbucks, browse for books at the socialist co-op bookshop instead of on Amazon, or pick up children's gifts at a family-owned wooden toy store rather than the super-shiny god-of-plastic behemoth that is Toys 'R Us. Yes, you may end up paying a bit more. But you're also more likely to find something more off-kilter, to have a conversation with an employee who's passionate about their work and their products, and to have a more pleasant experience all around.


Effort involved: no extra effort, apart from possibly walking a bit further to head past the chain stores.