The Power of Your Money
When you spend money, you convey to yourself and to the world what matters to you. It’s a vote. It’s an expression of your power.
The things you tell yourself with your dollars are just as important as the thing you tell the world and the universe at large. Are you worth it? Is your body worthy of the best food ethically sourced? Is your home worthy of higher quality hand-made furniture that will last a lifetime? Where and how you spend your money is a choice. Your money can cause— even unintentional— harm or be used deliberately for good.
Being mindful about how you exert your own personal financial power can affect positive change in the world. It takes curiosity and perhaps a little diligence at first, but once you know what to look for, the questions to ask and once you find the companies you can trust to fulfill your mission, it’s a piece of cake.
Any incremental change on your part will make an immeasurable difference in the world. No one is perfect and from time to time we all have to buy take out and use a plastic fork or make a purchase that isn’t completely aligned with our personal mission. It’s ok. As you become more aware, you’ll naturally go deeper and make more decisions with a positive global impact.
Getting started.
There are myriad ways to vet your purchases, but here is a list of questions you can ask yourself as you plan to make a purchase whether it’s a bar of chocolate or a new couch. As you begin to research and contemplate these questions you can begin making deliberate positive purchases to help change the world.
Who owns the company. In other words, whose pocket are you filling with this purchase? Is it an individual (and their family) or a large corporation?
What is the product made from? Are the materials made with harmful chemicals with little regard for the impact, perhaps the company dumps waste into a nearby stream. Was the rainforest cut down to grow this product?
Is there a negative or positive environmental impact of this product that affects the environment, the people who live in the area or the wildlife of the area?
How long will I use this product? In the case of a plastic fork, are you going to use it once and discard it? Or will you purchase a titanium or bamboo utensil set you can reuse for years? What about that sweater? Is it well made of durable materials and is it a style that will last? Or is it throw-away fashion that will end up in a landfill in a few months?
Where was this product made? Was it made in your country? How far from you was this product made?
Exert your power in a positive manner a little bit every day when you make a purchase. You’ll feel better when you spend your money as a bonus.
Most companies are opaque about their business practices. If the information is not readily available, then it’s highly likely the company has questionable practices. As a consumer you also have to have a little intuition. The branding may look friendly, but behind that fake smile lies dark intentions. Are those cows really smiling in real life?
Certification
There are certifications that help set businesses that strive to make an impact apart from the rest. One such certification is B-Corp. It’s a designation that indicates a company’s positive impact on its employees, customers and the planet at large. B-Corp products are easily identifiable as they carry the B-Corp badge. Some examples of B-Corps are: Patagonia, New Belgium Brewing, Tom’s (shoes), Athleta, Tillamook (cheese), Allagash Brewing, and Grove Collaborative.
The B Corp Declaration of Interdependence from the BCorporation.net web site:
We envision a global economy that uses business as a force for good.
This economy is comprised of a new type of corporation - the B Corporation -
Which is purpose-driven and creates benefit for all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
As B Corporations and leaders of this emerging economy, we believe:
That we must be the change we seek in the world.
That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place mattered.
That, through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all.
To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations.
Now you have one more tool to help you express your power of your money in a positive way. Keep the good vibes flowing!