Shopping Your Values
People are increasingly shopping with their principals as well as their pocketbooks in mind. It’s not always easy to match your values with the places you shop or the things you buy. We live in a fast paced and complex world. It’s hard to keep up with what’s available and the busineses that provide them.
There are tools that can help. One great example, (one I use myself) is the Fair Trade Federation. Not only does their website have current information about fair trade, but you can search for specific fair trade products under their “Find Products” heading on their homepage.
Want someone you can empathize with? WalletMouth (Aptly named, don’t you think?), maintained by Bronwyn Ximm, documents her personal struggle to put her money where her mouth is. The conversational way she presents information and tools she has tested herself makes this folksy site fun and valuable. My favorite is her “Buycotts & Boycotts” section.
For a more interactive experience, check out dotherightthing.com. Here you can help rate businesses on their social responsibility by submitting news articles about specific companies. Visitors to the site rank the importance of the news and companies get a rating. Currently, their top rated company is Seventh Generation, maker of green household products.
In this political season the big issues are on everyone’s mind — global warming, the environment, social justice, and lately, race relations. We all get reminded more and more that our purchases count — they have an impact. I want to know how you are making a difference with your pocketbook. Drop us a comment on this post.
Of course, we are here to help you with new spring arrivals. We look forward to seeing you in the shop and online.
Keep shopping your good values!
Kile