Shop as local as you can! It's vital to a vibrant community to have the locals supporting the stores in the towns they are paying high rent to be in! In addition it reduces your carbon footprint and you will receive better service and deals face to face. Save a JOB here in Massachusetts by keeping your dollars here and purchase online only the specialty items you cannot find.

I hope we'll all do as much of our purchasing as we can locally. But if you do purchase on line and are not charged MA tax, please remember (in April, when you file your state tax forms) to list your "tax free" online purchases and pay state sales tax on them.

I can hear the groaning, but remember: (1) you are legally required to do so; and (2) every time you don't pay state sales tax on a purchase, you keep in your pocket money that is supposed to help fund thousands of services and kinds of infrastructure from which you and I and all of us benefit. Remember what's happened locally when state coffers are low — increased pressure on local budgets and on property taxes. Every time you plunk down a couple of bucks in state sales tax, think about it as an investment in the present and future of Massachusetts. We have common interests in the health of our state — our common well-being, and our Common wealth.

Best way to save is called collective buying!!! search online for Printapons every day a local business will be featured and prices will be discounted upto 90% off

I just looked at Printapons and it appears that it's completely geared toward large national/regional chains. I couldn't find any of the half dozen or so local, independent retailers for whom I searched. (Retailers such as Ace Hardware, which does have a local store, are represented, and I certainly encourage folks to frequent our local hardware store!) So this resource may be helpful if you're looking for "lowest prices." It won't do much to support local independents, which keep more dollars in our local economy. And remember, the giant corporate retailers who offer such low prices often do so at a price — that of employees' welfare; externalized infrastructure, health, and environmental costs; and undue influence on supply chains (which typically causes a "race to the bottom" throughout the supply system).

We all have budget we need to follow; I simply encourage people to make conscious choices to support their communities in any ways in which they're able.

If you need shoes and a big selection of them, then go to your local shopping mall, that's fine. They are paying real estate taxes in a nearby town and employing your friends and neighbors and paying them money. If you go to a huge retailer online, you are shipping a job oversees, and contributing to the Internet billionaire culture that has created a world where 40% of our country's wealth is controlled by 1% of the upper class. If you want to change this, then support the middle class small business owners. They are employing your teenagers and paying our taxes. Pay attention folks: the job you save may be your own.

I love our village and hope to have it here to raise grandchildren in- so I do my best to shop locally when I can. Frankly, I don't shop very often, but that "Hey, how are you, your kids, team, business, dog...?" with a big smile beats the Bah Humbugs any day! I take pride in our communities- and hope that what is offered will be offered at a fair price, with enough of a selection, and at an exemplary quality- but if something should go wrong, you have PEOPLE, actual people, to service you! If not, then that business isn't likely to last long, regardless. That said, for far away relatives who can be loved via online purchases and mailed directly, I think online shopping/ shipping direct rocks it. Kathleen, your research shows buyers how to really get a fair price and more gifts for the hard earned money we hate to spend. I appreciate that insight! One thing to think about for holiday shopping is to buy Gift Certificates for services that you value for your elderly, housebound or out of work friends. Snow plowing, relaxing health-promoting massages, facials, even groceries (shopping for them?) or gas. How about paying a young guy with a truck to plow a struggling family's driveway? A friend did that for me last year and I LOVED IT!! Thanks for making us think!

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. With so many choices of retailers, it does make sense to consider all the options when planning purchases.

I do support our local merchants--I visited five of them on Small Business Saturday in November. But at this time of year, the convenience of shopping at odd hours online and being able to quickly assess the pricing is very compelling. It is also important to remember that Internet retailers ship from US warehouses that employ our fellow Americans. And the UPS driver who comes to my door is likely a local person with a family to support. Again, I appreciate hearing the opinions posted here today.

Great article Kathleen. Some really useful tips here. I would also suggest using cashback sites. I've saved literally hundreds this holiday season through cash back for my purchases online. I like to compare the sites using cashreporter.com