How best to support local businesses and the economy

[Skierajs]

Just a PSA and discussion - many of us here are in enviable situations to weather the storm from COVID-19, but local businesses, especially our restaurants, fitness studios/gyms, personal services, etc are getting clobbered. Some ideas I’m embracing:
- Using my restaurant/going out budget to get take out and delivery. There is no evidence at all that food is a transmission route for this virus (you’d have to breathe it in).
- Not canceling memberships to gyms, etc. instead reaching out to trainers etc and ask for google hangouts based sessions
- Still go to local grocers and farmers markets to buy essentials and/or use local grocery delivery companies instead of the big names
- Consider buying a gift card from a local business to use later in lieu of a service you’d be getting now (like a massage). That cash flow really helps folks.

Anyone else?

[InvestingGeek]

- Not canceling memberships to gyms, etc. instead reaching out to trainers etc and ask for google hangouts based sessions

I like this idea.

[fru-gal]

Someone posted on facebook a reminder that animal shelters can't hold fundraising events during this, so send them donations if you can.

[retiredjg]

I'm doing take out and going to restaurants that are not crowded. Will probably increase tips just to help out people who may have lowered incomes. Several of our local eateries are doing curbside delivery - order and they bring it to you at the curb. I plan to use that some.

Some people I know have suggested buying (probably online) gift certificates from vendors they support to give them income now instead of later.

I probably would not even consider canceling memberships.

[Sconie]

Consider purchasing gift certificates for your future use &/or for gifting? The business will have immediate income and will only later have to incur an expense....

[OnTrack]

... Will probably increase tips just to help out people who may have lowered incomes. ...

I think this could help a lot and those tips are likely to be spent so should help the economy.