• Cinda Baxter founded The 3/50 Project to help save independent stores.
• The 3/50 Project urges consumers to support three local businesses by spending $50 a month.
• Local business owners pour as much as 68 percent of their revenue back into the local economy.

Cinda Baxter, founder of The 3/50 Project, wants to inspire people to shop local all year long – not just for Christmas. While big-box stores and online shops may offer deeper discounts, local businesses often provide a level of service, friendliness and atmosphere that a chain store can’t match. And they pour as much as 68 percent of their revenue back into the local economy, while only 43 percent of revenue from big-box stores – and none at all from online sales – comes home.

Baxter’s initiative, The 3/50 Project, urges consumers to pick three local businesses to support and commit to spending $50 a month across the three businesses. The project’s holiday campaign, “Keep the Cheer Here“, reminds consumers to support their neighborhood shops at Christmastime, and the shops will bolster their local communities all year.

“The 3/50 Project isn’t an ‘all or nothing’ campaign that insists consumers stop shopping in chains or franchises,” said Baxter on The 3/50 Project’s FAQ page. “Instead, our message is about balance.” So as you’re checking gifts off your list this Christmas season, balance your big-box spending with a little local shopping – and make things merry for yourself, your gift recipients, and small-business owners in your neighborhood.

Visit The 3/50 Project on Facebook or follow @cindabaxter for updates.