At this time of year, financial decisions are aplenty. How much to spend on gifts, and for whom? What should those gifts be, and where should we buy them? There are many options and it can be hard to choose. Within the coming week, there are the two well – known holiday shopping deal days, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Today I would like to tell you about the other great (but lesser known) source of holiday deals that is sandwiched in the middle. Small Business Saturday is this coming Saturday, and you can get all kinds of things your favorite local small businesses at excellent prices.
Of course, since Small Business Saturday focuses on local independent businesses, the deals you can get depend on where you are located. You may want to call your favorites or look them up online. Many participating businesses are advertising their specials on their websites, blogs, Facebook, and Twitter. Also, the NFIB website (National Foundation of Independent Businesses) has a few deals listed for businesses that have submitted them to the site for publication. For example, if you live near Brewer, Maine and you are looking for the perfect present for your precious pooch, The Uncommon Hound is offering 25% off unique gifts for pets. Shoppers near Elkhorn, WI can save ten percent on a snowmobile tune up for the outdoor enthusiast on their list if they bring the snowmobile in for service on Small Business Saturday.
Local newspapers, both in print and online, as well as local Chamber of Commerce web sites are another great way to find Small Business Saturday deals. For example, in my town, the Chamber of Commerce has an annual local shopping card program where people who shop at local businesses can earn stamps on their shopping card with each qualifying purchase. Once you fill your card, you can submit it for entry into a drawing where you can win a variety of prizes that have been contributed by the local businesses that participate in the program.
Which local businesses are you planning to shop at this Saturday?
Photo by clarita on morguefile.com.