Who today isn't looking for ways to reduce costs and raise more money?

Pinching pennies and tightening belts have become a way of life for individuals, families, nonprofit agencies, businesses and local government.

With everyone looking for ways to make limited dollars stretch as far as possible, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that the more we help each other, the more we help ourselves.

Take, for example, the Homer Chamber of Commerce's new "Check LocalBuy Local" campaign. It's a great example of what Mr. Bentley means. The chamber's program has several components, but they all boil down to one key point: Before you do your shopping elsewhere, it's a smart idea to check with businesses on the southern Kenai Peninsula first.

You might be surprised at what you find. First, there's a good chance that the item you didn't think was available locally is. Second, it's possible the item isn't more expensive here than it is elsewhere. Third, if it is more expensive, you might find a local merchant willing to match that lower price. Fourth, you might find businesses on the southern peninsula really appreciate your business. Fifth, you can save the time and expense of driving elsewhere when you shop in your own community.

Businesses participating in the "Check LocalBuy Local" program will commit to providing incentives to buy locally, including offering at least one of four discounts: a senior discount, a military discount, a student discount or a matching price program. They also will hold monthly customer appreciation drawings.

Buying locally makes sense and cents that add up. The healthier businesses are, the healthier the community is, which means the higher quality of life we all enjoy.

Which leads to this point: A healthy business community leads to a healthy local government, which is no small thing as the city's recent budget discussions have indicated. The city is struggling to find ways to fund popular programs without raising taxes or fees. It's a nearly impossible task. But the city is seeking your ideas, and residents should take them up on the offer.

It's not enough to say "Don't cut such-and-such a program." Residents need to offer solutions and options, not resistance, as cuts are being suggested and debated. The difficulty, of course, is that one person's frill in the city budget is another person's necessity. But the more people who are involved in the process, the better the outcome likely will be. The city administration and council have a tough job ahead of them; they deserve some help.

All of which leads back to Mr. Bentley's statement: Now more than ever we need to help one another, so that we all prosper. Small actions can make a big difference. Buying from a neighbor rather than an online catalog and looking for ways to soften the blows of city cuts are a good start.

Main Street can't look to government for any kind of bailout. We are each other's bailout and involvement in the chamber's "Check LocalBuy Local" program and the city's budget process are ways to prove it.