Whether buying a gift for Valentine’s Day, or just making purchases in day to day life, how important is it to be a conscious consumer? To think about the impact that our decisions have beyond ourselves? How can we be conscious consumers in today’s materialistic culture?
These are questions that I’ve been struggling and wrestling with lately. I definitely don’t have all of the answers, but here are some of my thoughts and ideas for how we can make more conscious and responsible purchasing decisions.
These are questions that I’ve been struggling and wrestling with lately. I definitely don’t have all of the answers, but here are some of my thoughts and ideas for how we can make more conscious and responsible purchasing decisions.
1. Buy Used.
I’ve talked about this before, but I think it’s one of the biggest ways that I started to shift my mindset from a consumerist, materialistic mentality. I used to think, “Why should I buy a used sweater for $5 at a thrift store when I can buy a brand new one for $10 at Target?”
But, buying used is not just about the actual money spent, it is about the resources saved, the reduction of manufacturing, production and packaging, the space in the landfill saved, as well as about the mindset of always having to have new things.
Buying used is the best way I have found to deal with the tension I feel of not wanting to buy items that are made under questionable circumstances, that hurt people through forced labor, or whose companies do not use sustainable practices. It is not a perfect answer the question, but it is the best I can come up with at this point.
While there are definitely companies, and products, out there that are careful and conscious, those products usually come with a higher price tag. If you’re on a tight budget, like we are, you just can’t always afford to buy the “best” thing in every situation. So, I think buying used is a great alternative because the used item has already been made, resources have already been used, and I am not contributing to any further abuse of people, resources or the environment through my purchase of a used item.
2. Buy Fair Trade
There are many different categories of products that can achieve Fair Trade certification. You can be sure that when you purchase products bearing the Fair Trade label you are helping to improve communities around the world; the workers are fairly compensated, profits are reinvested into communities, and production must adhere to strict environmental standards. It is one certification that encompasses all aspects of goods produced – the workers, the communities, and the environment.
Although Fair Trade does not cover every type of item that could be purchased, the list of Fair Trade products continues to grow. Buying Fair Trade as often as you can is an important way to vote with your dollars, to tell companies that you think Fair Trade products are important and worth spending your money on, and encouraging more companies and stores to carry Fair Trade certified items.
Take a few minutes to visit Fair Trade USA and learn about the types of products you can buy Fair Trade, where to buy them, and how to be a more conscious consumer.
The main Fair Trade item that we buy right now is coffee. A few years ago we watched the documentary Black Gold, and it changed the way we look at the coffee we drink. For high commodity items like coffee and chocolate, it is important to know that what you are consuming and enjoying did not cause the abuse or exploitation of someone or something along the way to your home.
I’ve talked about this before, but I think it’s one of the biggest ways that I started to shift my mindset from a consumerist, materialistic mentality. I used to think, “Why should I buy a used sweater for $5 at a thrift store when I can buy a brand new one for $10 at Target?”
But, buying used is not just about the actual money spent, it is about the resources saved, the reduction of manufacturing, production and packaging, the space in the landfill saved, as well as about the mindset of always having to have new things.
Buying used is the best way I have found to deal with the tension I feel of not wanting to buy items that are made under questionable circumstances, that hurt people through forced labor, or whose companies do not use sustainable practices. It is not a perfect answer the question, but it is the best I can come up with at this point.
While there are definitely companies, and products, out there that are careful and conscious, those products usually come with a higher price tag. If you’re on a tight budget, like we are, you just can’t always afford to buy the “best” thing in every situation. So, I think buying used is a great alternative because the used item has already been made, resources have already been used, and I am not contributing to any further abuse of people, resources or the environment through my purchase of a used item.
2. Buy Fair Trade
There are many different categories of products that can achieve Fair Trade certification. You can be sure that when you purchase products bearing the Fair Trade label you are helping to improve communities around the world; the workers are fairly compensated, profits are reinvested into communities, and production must adhere to strict environmental standards. It is one certification that encompasses all aspects of goods produced – the workers, the communities, and the environment.
Although Fair Trade does not cover every type of item that could be purchased, the list of Fair Trade products continues to grow. Buying Fair Trade as often as you can is an important way to vote with your dollars, to tell companies that you think Fair Trade products are important and worth spending your money on, and encouraging more companies and stores to carry Fair Trade certified items.
Take a few minutes to visit Fair Trade USA and learn about the types of products you can buy Fair Trade, where to buy them, and how to be a more conscious consumer.
The main Fair Trade item that we buy right now is coffee. A few years ago we watched the documentary Black Gold, and it changed the way we look at the coffee we drink. For high commodity items like coffee and chocolate, it is important to know that what you are consuming and enjoying did not cause the abuse or exploitation of someone or something along the way to your home.
3. Buy Organic and Local
Although an Organic certification is not as all encompassing as a Fair Trade certification, it is still an important way to know that the products you are purchasing comply with environmentally responsible farming practices. Again, voting with your dollars buy purchasing organic products tells both farmers and retailers that it is important they provide products that are free of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, GMOs, etc.
Buying Organic can be challenging on a limited budget, I know that I am still working on figuring out how to buy the highest quality products while staying within our food budget. The best resources I have found on this topic is Real Food on a Real Budget by Stephanie Langford of Keeper of the Home. It is a comprehensive guide filled with ideas, tips and tricks for buying the best food for your family that you can afford.
While buying organic is important, sometimes organic foods are shipped from far away countries (which is obviously not the most environmentally responsible way to purchase products), so sometimes buying local is more important than buying organic. Make an effort to eat foods when they are in season locally, frequent your local farmer’s market and ask questions of the farmers. You may find that a local product is produced with many of the same standards as organic products, but without the actual certification and high price tag that goes along with it.
Although an Organic certification is not as all encompassing as a Fair Trade certification, it is still an important way to know that the products you are purchasing comply with environmentally responsible farming practices. Again, voting with your dollars buy purchasing organic products tells both farmers and retailers that it is important they provide products that are free of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, GMOs, etc.
Buying Organic can be challenging on a limited budget, I know that I am still working on figuring out how to buy the highest quality products while staying within our food budget. The best resources I have found on this topic is Real Food on a Real Budget by Stephanie Langford of Keeper of the Home. It is a comprehensive guide filled with ideas, tips and tricks for buying the best food for your family that you can afford.
While buying organic is important, sometimes organic foods are shipped from far away countries (which is obviously not the most environmentally responsible way to purchase products), so sometimes buying local is more important than buying organic. Make an effort to eat foods when they are in season locally, frequent your local farmer’s market and ask questions of the farmers. You may find that a local product is produced with many of the same standards as organic products, but without the actual certification and high price tag that goes along with it.
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