We try to support local, beneficial retailers and manufacturers as much as possible. Through various name changes I have have looked to Green America for all sorts of information. Here again they give me guides which I would like to share...
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
20 January 2009
Support what is good and right
Tara and I work hard to be considerate citizens, friends and now, parents. There is a lot to that. There is the compassion for the individual, attention to the relationship and the dedication to bring it to the world.
23 December 2008
Thrift-Store Shopping
I am a middle class person. I grew up middle class and I maintain a great deal of the middle class ethic. I admit its classist but I work hard to overcome it. I try not to assume things about people based on where they live or how they speak. I try maintain a level of cognisance about where I come from and what I expect. One of these things is Goodwill/Thrift-store shopping.
I grew up with the idea that you shopped Goodwill b/c you couldn't afford other. You bought on sale but you bought from a top level retailer. When I got in high school you shopped Goodwill b/c you couldn't afford other or you needed something retro or something you could write on.
As a 40-year old I believe you shop Goodwill b/c people like me get rid of stuff, b/c there is already so much stuff manufactured that you don't need more resources used and b/c you can save money.
There is a supervisor at the library who is always bragging about his Goodwill finds, so I finally started to go. My first trip I found a j.crew linen shirt (lavender) which retails for almost $70. It was my size and it cost $4.00! At that point I was hooked. When I got out of college and started to make some money I lived the j.crew catalog. (Really? How middle class is that? My closet is still filled with j.crew.) Now, shopping at these places can be real hit-or-miss. I still don't go regularly but I go far more often than I used to.
Tara, on the other hand has been an avid thrift-store shopper. Once she found out she was pregnant it became even more regular. She figured if she had to buy clothes that she would wear less than a year (maternity clothes) or baby stuff which will be outgrown almost as quickly as they are worn there was no reason to spend tones of money, fuel the inefficient clothing manufacturing machine. She has made out like a bandit and she has inspired friends and coworkers. Tara is also making out like a bandit at consignment sales.
I grew up with the idea that you shopped Goodwill b/c you couldn't afford other. You bought on sale but you bought from a top level retailer. When I got in high school you shopped Goodwill b/c you couldn't afford other or you needed something retro or something you could write on.
As a 40-year old I believe you shop Goodwill b/c people like me get rid of stuff, b/c there is already so much stuff manufactured that you don't need more resources used and b/c you can save money.
There is a supervisor at the library who is always bragging about his Goodwill finds, so I finally started to go. My first trip I found a j.crew linen shirt (lavender) which retails for almost $70. It was my size and it cost $4.00! At that point I was hooked. When I got out of college and started to make some money I lived the j.crew catalog. (Really? How middle class is that? My closet is still filled with j.crew.) Now, shopping at these places can be real hit-or-miss. I still don't go regularly but I go far more often than I used to.
Tara, on the other hand has been an avid thrift-store shopper. Once she found out she was pregnant it became even more regular. She figured if she had to buy clothes that she would wear less than a year (maternity clothes) or baby stuff which will be outgrown almost as quickly as they are worn there was no reason to spend tones of money, fuel the inefficient clothing manufacturing machine. She has made out like a bandit and she has inspired friends and coworkers. Tara is also making out like a bandit at consignment sales.
I really need to check that out myself, I have a suit and other random clothing items I can't wear that might make money.
Anyway, check out your local 2nd hand-gently used-consignment stores before you head to the mall.
12 May 2007
Ten Things You Should Never Buy Again
Thanks to The Hip and Zen Pen for the Ten Things You Should Never Buy Again
1. Styrofoam cupsTechnorati Tags: eco-friendly, shopping, consumption
2. Paper towels
3. Bleached coffee filters
4. Overpackaged foods and other products
5. Teak and mahogany
6. Chemical pesticides and herbicides
7. Conventional household cleaners
8. Higher octane gas than you need
9. Toys made with PVC plastic
10. Plastic forks and spoons
25 April 2007
Easy Stuff - Socially Responsible Behavior
This concept mirrors the "buy black" movement that shows up every few years. Whenever you spend money check what the sources are. Buy items you conscious says are "drama free". Support items, manufacturers, and retailers who support treat their product, employees, customers, and environment with respect, fairness, and honesty.
If you don't know about a certain company just ask or go to the interweb, there are a few of sites to help:
So as usual, there is no perfect answer we just have to do the best we can do.
If you don't know about a certain company just ask or go to the interweb, there are a few of sites to help:
1. Business Ethics Magazine Top 100 2006 (.pdf)Stop eating fast & chain food. If you must eat out go to an independently owned restaurant. Ask the server if they buy locally grown food. If they don't suggest that they might. My wife and I love Middle Eastern/Greek and there are a few places in Nashville (Istanbul, Chicago Gyro & House of Kabob) we frequent and they all have a mix of mass bought ingredients and not.
2. Co-Op America's Responsible Shopper
3. Care2's Shopping Page
So as usual, there is no perfect answer we just have to do the best we can do.
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