Shop to Save the World

I have many noble thoughts to save the world. But how many of them have I actually done? Turning off the lights when I leave the room or wanting to go out to a disaster area and volunteer? Well, no matter what I have wanted or thought of doing, I think I can (and you can too) make a difference when shopping and save the world at the same time.

Vote with your dollar(s).

Give Back
In my last article on shopping I talked about making money while you shop. It’s now time to give back and talk about making our spending dollars worth a vote to save the world.

Social Spending
I drive around the city in my Prius (proud owner!) and I notice schools are active, hospitals are busy and police cars patrolling. So I walk into a local store and notice a sign that says “support your local community – 10% of the proceeds donated to the local high school band”. And I think to myself “What a great idea. I get to spend money here to get something I need and help out the local high school.” Then a couple of days ago my fiance emails me a “Do good while you shop” article link from luckmag.com where I can buy a handful of products that supports the Big Brother and Mentor programs in the USA. It makes me happy to know that some of the money I spend goes to support good causes.

Responsible Spending
It would be a tiresome task for me to constantly hunt down socially responsible companies to buy from. But I do read the news and one thing the news is good for is telling me bad news. Bad news for companies that do bad of course. Such as info I find on walmarwatch.com which helps me find out the kind of harm Wal*Mart may be doing. As I hear about these companies using sweat shop labor or buying from sources that oppress their workers, I vote against these companies by not buying from them.

Environmental Saving
Too busy to be an activist and just not aware enough of the news sometimes lead me to just focus on the product at hand. When I look at my shampoo bottle I look to see if it was made of recycled material. Or better yet, I look to see if I can use the bottle to be refilled. I even look at the packaging like Starbucks Cups. Even when I dine out and I ordered a drink I try not to order an extra glass of water (I try to share it with my fiance). Because I’ve read on a place card in a restaurant before that said it takes 7 glasses of water to wash 1 glass. Wow! I notice many times where guests would just be served an extra glass of water when it never even gets touched after the meal. What a waste.

So I try to do my part and use my shopping dollars as an active vote. And just like the recent campaign on “Get the Vote Out”, every vote (or $Dollars spent) counts! You make your choice and the businesses will listen and follow.