How are you helping small businesses?

[JasoninDenver]

In these times of economic turmoil many of the people and businesses we have supported for years are in desperate straits. Many have come up with some creative solutions to keep cash coming in. I have supported many where we can and even reached out to others about helping them through these rough times.

Here is what my family is doing...

1. Paying our house cleaner even though we have told her not to come

2. Working online with our personal trainer so he doesn't lose income

3. Ordering some custom shelving I have been eyeing for a while (builder shipping from in stock inventory)

4. Ordering more wine from our favorite vineyards (many small producers are offering modest discounts)

5. Buying gift certificates from our favorite B&B in Healdsburg, CA for future stays

6. Moving our kids music lessons and math tutoring online for continuity

A great deal of these efforts are superfluous luxuries we could easily do without for a few months, but our friends who provide these goods and services cannot do without us.

I agonized over buying anything that required shipping but changed my mind after talking with our UPS driver who is extremely grateful for her job right now. She drops our packages in the garage where they can sit for a couple of days.

What are you guys/gals doing?

[kieselguhr]

Love this thread OP. Instead of sulking in doom and gloom, what are you doing about it?

Paying the local owned gym monthly dues despite not being able to use it.
Buying meats from our favorite restaurant (where I first met my wife).
Paying my landscaper for maintaining my yard and lawn.
Waived my long time tenant’s rent for 3 months.

[dnpina]

"Waived my long time tenant’s rent for 3 months."

All great things, but that especially is really great of you. I know you didn't post this for praise but I'm moved by that. I am sure they are thankful.

[Patton250]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

In these times of economic turmoil many of the people and businesses we have supported for years are in desperate straits. Many have come up with some creative solutions to keep cash coming in. I have supported many where we can and even reached out to others about helping them through these rough times.

Here is what my family is doing...

1. Paying our house cleaner even though we have told her not to come

2. Working online with our personal trainer so he doesn't lose income

3. Ordering some custom shelving I have been eyeing for a while (builder shipping from in stock inventory)

4. Ordering more wine from our favorite vineyards (many small producers are offering modest discounts)

5. Buying gift certificates from our favorite B&B in Healdsburg, CA for future stays

6. Moving our kids music lessons and math tutoring online for continuity

A great deal of these efforts are superfluous luxuries we could easily do without for a few months, but our friends who provide these goods and services cannot do without us.

I agonized over buying anything that required shipping but changed my mind after talking with our UPS driver who is extremely grateful for her job right now. She drops our packages in the garage where they can sit for a couple of days.

What are you guys/gals doing?

Outstanding. We are doing the same things. Lawn Care, Auto details, music lessons all of it still going. Thanks for this thread!!!!

[Mr. Miami]

Supporting local restaurants by getting take out twice a week from different places.

[uscmatt99]

For us it's mostly ordering out from our favorite local eateries at this point. Many have done a fantastic job taking measures to protect staff and customers. Several are accepting donations for servers who have been laid off as well which is great.

We plan to pre-pay for housekeeping and landscaping as well, as we have gotten to know these guys and gals over the years and it would break my heart if they had to close up shop.

Lastly, we are lucky to have befriended folks from a local farm/ranch co-op so we will be purchasing meats and veggies from them as they become available.

[chappuy1750]

I just signed up as a volunteer with commerce4good.com
Personally trying to help food wholesalers who lost restaurant business shift to a direct-to-consumer model.

[walds11]

Originally Posted by Mr. Miami

Supporting local restaurants by getting take out twice a week from different places.

Yep, or 3-4 per week

[slimboy1974]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

In these times of economic turmoil many of the people and businesses we have supported for years are in desperate straits. Many have come up with some creative solutions to keep cash coming in. I have supported many where we can and even reached out to others about helping them through these rough times.

Here is what my family is doing...

1. Paying our house cleaner even though we have told her not to come

2. Working online with our personal trainer so he doesn't lose income

3. Ordering some custom shelving I have been eyeing for a while (builder shipping from in stock inventory)

4. Ordering more wine from our favorite vineyards (many small producers are offering modest discounts)

5. Buying gift certificates from our favorite B&B in Healdsburg, CA for future stays

6. Moving our kids music lessons and math tutoring online for continuity

A great deal of these efforts are superfluous luxuries we could easily do without for a few months, but our friends who provide these goods and services cannot do without us.

I agonized over buying anything that required shipping but changed my mind after talking with our UPS driver who is extremely grateful for her job right now. She drops our packages in the garage where they can sit for a couple of days.

What are you guys/gals doing?

Great post Jason and think it’s great what your doing the small things we take as the norm that we can easily pass on has a ripple effect on a lot of other companies I for 1 am holed up not able to work for minimum 4 weeks but can honestly see it being end of may before we may even start making some headway I’ve myself and 3 others to pay that I have told will still get 100% of their wage although I’m in the same situation as the people working for me I feel responsible to try and make their lives as seamless as possible through this,

[Chewbacca]

Bought raw materials from my local burger place. Buns, frozen burgers, juice.

Got all my booze from my local independent.

Bought $200 in ground coffee from my local coffee independent.

Helping SMEs with writing proposals to their banks for support.

I’m driven when I’m day drinking.

Will be doing more.

[JasoninDenver]

Glad to hear everyone is doing what we can.

Our regular restaurants are all closed with the exception of Chipotle.

Glad yall reminded me to reach out to our landscape guy. I would hate to lose him.

[Raypep]

I'm using DoorDash to deliver food from local restaurants.

Grocery Shopping at a local place instead of a national brand

[GB-man]

Bought a new bike from my Local bike shop. Bought a few hundred in gift cards to our fav local restaurant. Shopping at local grocery stores (delivered). Need to do more.

[CAMP]

We're going to continue paying our dog walker even though she is shut down, ordering lots of take out from local places and purchasing food from local farms and small markets. Plus booze delivery. Bumping up the tip % for the delivery folks as well.

[superdog]

Cut my tenants rent in half. He is a restaurant owner.

Offered pay for our cleaning lady. She declined but I told her I would help her out if she ever needs it.

Take out and delivery.

Organized a ride with a bunch of car folks that ended at my favorite local restaurant. I bought take out, curb delivery lunch for everyone.

I could be doing more. I will start.

Thanks or this thread.

[Sephiroth]

Let’s see:

-Paying for daycare
-Paying for daughter’s swimming and gymnastics
-Paying for all lawn services
-Paying for house cleaning
-Buying takeout and tipping 40%
-Buying only the groceries we need, and asking neighbors if they need anything while we are making a run

[kings4sap]

I am actually volunteering at our friends restaurant. They did a quick conversion to takeout and that poses a lot of logistical issues that were not a part of their normal business plan. Making it work with reduced staff is even harder especially when there is a short-time window for when things get busy (2-3 hours). They need help - I am the man.

[brandrea]

Food banks need our help more than ever. They have a double (maybe in triple) whammy:

1. People who hoard food and supplies take away from the normal supply.
2. People are less like to donate in times of uncertainty.
3. Mass layoffs and unemployment mean that even more people rely on food banks.

I encourage everyone to consider a donation in your very own backyard to help out the less fortunate.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Food banks need our help more than ever. They have a double (maybe in triple) whammy:

1. People who hoard food and supplies take away from the normal supply.
2. People are less like to donate in times of uncertainty.
3. Mass layoffs and unemployment mean that even more people rely on food banks.

I encourage everyone to consider a donation in your very own backyard to help out the less fortunate.

Great idea Brian done

[mimo5000]

What an awesome thread. Thanks for this OP!
This makes me realize that even though we are doing some things, like still paying the people who would have been doing services for us but can't, trying to buy local as much as possible, and shifting all sorts of things like yoga sessions similar to virtual, I can certainly do more!
I'm now planning to sign up as a meals on wheels delivery person for those in need in my area. A little bit risky, so I need to look into the protections. But there are a lot of people suffering who need help.

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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Great idea Brian done

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[Burlington]

Not really helping a business as such, but bought a stack of extra food for the food bank when doing the grocery run yesterday.

I’m sorry to admit that like many others it slipped from top of mind during the rush to get prepared for the family needs first.

However the shortage of donations has been well publicised so wanted to help make up their collection.

[swils8610]

Trying to support anything local. Ordering take out several times a week.


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[OrangeKenny]

I’ve pre-paid as many of my foreseeable expenses as I can. It’s great that a lot of people are keeping their music lessons, cleaners, shopping local etc, but I figured a lot of other people won’t so there will be a major dip in cash flow for a lot of small businesses. So by pre-paying a year’s worth up front I’m doing a small amount to ‘flatten the curve’ from a cash flow perspective. Has hurt my cash flow a bit but I’m lucky enough to have secure income so it’s not a huge risk for me.

[BigBlue1]

I am buying locally, unfortunately from time to time I still need to buy from the internet, but some things just aren’t available.
I still keep paying monthly memberships for services unavailable.
Definitely tip more than my usual 25%.

Humble Pie Everywhere

[Rebel]

I pastor a United Methodist Church that operates a food pantry serving over 100 families once per month. This month we have arranged a second food distribution. By the way, with layoffs, etc. we added almost 40 more families than average on the giveaway last weekend. The Lord blessed us with the second opportunity to distribute and we are grateful for the ministry.

[Doc Savage]

Originally Posted by swils8610

Trying to support anything local. Ordering take out several times a week.

I bought two guitars from my local Mom & Pop music store in the two weeks before the quarantine. Would have bought more, but we didn't get much notice from the state beforehand. The store told me they had already seen a 90% dropoff in sales at that point. I hope they can survive this recession.

I'm also supporting my favorite restaurants by ordering take out. It makes me feel good about being too lazy to cook for myself

[_speedmaster_]

Great thread idea. This environment has wreaked havoc on many, and I'm gutted at how small businesses are suffering during this time (my father owning a small business when I was growing up so I know how tight margins generally are). I live in a small town and local business is an important part of the fabric of the community. Trying to do my part, as best I can. It's sobering when just ordering coffee at my local stop warrants a "thank you so much for coming in".

1) Continuing to purchase takeout from local restaurants, tipping 25%
2) Paying the house cleaner, even though we told her not to come
3) Continuing to pay for my toddler's small private school
4) Paid for the gardener's services well in advance
5) Shopping at the local market for staples like bread, milk and eggs

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Food banks need our help more than ever. They have a double (maybe in triple) whammy:

1. People who hoard food and supplies take away from the normal supply.
2. People are less like to donate in times of uncertainty.
3. Mass layoffs and unemployment mean that even more people rely on food banks.

I encourage everyone to consider a donation in your very own backyard to help out the less fortunate.

Great realization here!

Our food bank is not taking donations of food but preferring cash so they can purchase directly from suppliers with the intent of having fewer hands on the goods I suppose. Will contact them tomorrow.

[JasoninDenver]

Originally Posted by OrangeKenny

I’ve pre-paid as many of my foreseeable expenses as I can. It’s great that a lot of people are keeping their music lessons, cleaners, shopping local etc, but I figured a lot of other people won’t so there will be a major dip in cash flow for a lot of small businesses. So by pre-paying a year’s worth up front I’m doing a small amount to ‘flatten the curve’ from a cash flow perspective. Has hurt my cash flow a bit but I’m lucky enough to have secure income so it’s not a huge risk for me.

That will come back to you in more ways than you can ever imagine.