April 26, 2008

Are you a smart consumer? It's the question the website Locallectual.com is asking and is aiming to help you answer.

They say savvy shopping is no longer about finding the lowest price but thinking about how your shopping affects the economy and the environment, whether it be clothes, toys, or food.

"People are now slowly starting to realize how our goods and the way they travel affects the earth," said Jessica Meehan, Locallectual Co-Founder.

That's why Locallectual is encouraging consumers to shop locally and domestically.

"You can keep your money where you want to keep it. If you want to buy in Charlottesville, you can help the community, infrastructure of Charlottesville, help businesses," said Meehan.

Plus they say shoppers can also help the environment. By decreasing the amount of traveling a product makes, consumers can cut down on smog and air pollution. And there are other reasons. With the recent rash of toy recalls, parents can look for toys that are only made in the U.S.

"The one thing that our website offers is a chance for consumers to go and find only toys made in specific areas, so you can really can zero in as close as you want," said Karen Beauford, Locallectual Co-Founder.

All in an effort to change what it means to be a smart consumer.

"You can go on there and find it so we're doing the legwork for you, instead of having to read labels you can go to our site and find exactly what you're looking for and not have to research it," said Meehan.