I don't know that I'd buy local bucks (I'm a plastic shopper, not cash), but supporting local businesses is really a great thing. The local toy store I work at on the weekends is crazy popular because we offer personalized service from picking out a b-day present for a party to full registries and stroller discussions (which take 2-3 hrs usually). I worked last Friday, which was interesting- we had very few people in until about 3pm because we weren't running a sale. So they all went out to Toys/Babies R Us, Walmart, Target, etc early in the day, got confused and frustrated, then showed up at our store, had a quick chat with one of us and were recommended, rung, and wrapped in no time. And sometimes snuck out to their car while they entertained their kids too! Maybe because I grew up in small town with 5 and dimes that persisted until around 1990, I have a greater appreciation for local businesses. Do I occasionally shop big box stores, yes- sometimes the bottom line matters that much. But I just find local stores more enjoyable (and it helps neighbors have jobs too).