One of the most important thing you can do to influence society is to make sure your shopping habits fit your personal philosophy. Some companies are particularly bad or particularly good in their environmental policies, labor policies, charitable giving, scandals, etc. The money you spend should, to the best of your ability, go to support your ideals and companies that aren't violating your ideals. This is not easy, unless you have a resource that can give you the information you need to make these decisions.

That resource can be found at Co-op America. It is called "Responsible Shopper." I have been using this resource for some 15 years, back when it was a little boolket called "Shopping for a Better World." From their site:

Co-op America's Responsible Shopper provides you with the real story about abuses by well-known companies, gives you actions to promote corporate responsibility, and helps you green your life and world.  read more »

The Holiday season is upon us. Don't know about you, but I don't set foot in stores this time of year if I can avoid it. I prefer shopping online. Actually, most of my shopping is long gone...Barnes and Noble.com (through my own blog) and A Greater Gift are where I bought most gifts I'm giving this year.

But a political friend of mine has a business that should interest many readers: Alonovo.com. This is a business that allows you, the consumer, to find and shop at businesses that support YOUR values, whatever those values are. YOU set the criteria and Alonovo.com tells you what businesses match your values. This idea is a hit across the political spectrum, letting people feel good about being consumers.

Here is what Alonovo.com has to say about themselves:  read more »

Tis the season to consume. Of course there are two ways to consume: shop at those awful soulless malls owned by people like Bruce Ratner who doesn't give a rat's ass about community, or shop at local businesses run by your neighbors and friends. I admit it. I have done my share of shopping at big chain stores. But when you get to know the owner and the store is part of your neighborhood, it just feels better shopping there.

Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn, the group that has been at the forefront of defending Central Brooklyn from overdevelopment, is highlighting the community based businesses that support them as a way to say "thank you" for that support. Here is the list: (after the break)  read more »