Be a more concious consumer

Since I started to earn my own money doing research for university I learned that my money is very hard to make. So, some things that I thought were cheap when I used my parents’ money, are now very very expensive!

My mother says that this happened to her as well. I know my money is precious and I have to think carefully before spending it.

However, I don’t think I’ve achieved this goal yet. I’m still spending more than I can afford. Well, luckily my dad always saves me and I never have debts with the bank. But I still need to be more careful.

I don’t buy Chevron gas because Chevron bought the patent for NiMH car batteries from Stan Ovshinsky and refuses to sell the batteries (or let others sell them), except for “large OEM orders”.

be more aware of the purchases I make.

We recently watched the video about Wal Mart being really evil and now we will no longer shop there or Sams Club. You must pay for their low prices! Check out the movie: Wal-Mart the High Cost for Low Prices.

Not only is it better for the planet, for society, etc., but you start to really feel much better. Not just because of conscience, either—you just naturally feel less stressed, in our experience.

By the way, an interesting issue on consumerism in the APA’s journal Monitor on Psychology: http://www.apa.org/monitor/jun04/consumetoc.html

Enjoy.

http://www.treehugger.com

Great site/blog about sustainable living.

As people have mentioned, it is very difficult to avoid evil corporations. My aim here was not to buy things exclusively from “good companies” but to reduce the amount of money I spend on things altogether. Most of my money now goes to experiences—shows, drinks or dinners with friends, movies. I am not a fan of chains so I hope by doing this most of my money goes to local businesses and back into the community. Plus by buying less things, maybe I helped reduce the toll that manufacturing and shipping takes on the environment, just a bit. Maybe? I don’t know. Now, I do still buy clothes and shoes, but not at the rate I used to. I feel I’ve made significant headway in changing my spending habits.

My hope is that my family will continue our new tradition of a present-free holiday as well.

there are several companies that i avoid for ethical, moral, etc. reasons. for the same reason, there are other companies that i support b/c i appreciate their business policies, etc. it definitely makes me feel that my money is well-spent.

I am now carrying around a shopping bag with me and refusing plastic bags in shops – boy does it feel good

http://www.aavs.org/intro.html