While I love saving money, I do prefer to support small businesses, even if it means paying a tiny bit more for a product. Why? Because the money tends to stay in the local economy and each sale means the world to small businesses–especially creative folks.
Whether it’s buying a CD direct from a musician, a piece of art at a small gallery, or a book from an author at a literary market, each sale encourages them to keep going while validating all the hours and heart that were poured into the project. You can’t put a price on that!
In order to help others shop small (and clear out some space around here), I’ve created an online Square Shop for my books. I’ve actually had it for over a year, but don’t typically advertise it.
Square is used at many small businesses (both store fronts and those who sell on-the-go.) It’s secure, paperless (unless a store with a printer has that option for customers, otherwise it’s digital receipts), and can handle the four major credit/debit cards. After a transaction fee is taken out (paid by the seller), they receive the money transfer from Square at the end of the day–never the purchaser’s payment information.
While I can’t compete with the big companies (especially when they mark my books below the wholesale cost because they can afford to lose money on a few sales), I have rounded down my retail prices from the cover price (for example, Perilous Confessions is $18 instead of $18.99.) I also offer free local pickup/delivery and tried my best to make the shipping prices affordable by using Media Rate (which has tracking) through USPS .
This holiday season and throughout the year, please consider shopping small as often as possible. There are numerous stores, creatives, and service providers eager to help you.
carriedalby.com 
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