Spending with a Purpose: Adding Meaning to Everyday Purchases

Most of us spend without giving much thought to the bigger picture. In reality, with every purchase we’re faced with a small way to change the world. We’ve already talked about spending in line with your values. The amount of money we spend on certain things and the portion we allocate to various parts of our budget says a lot about our values.

Let’s take that one step further and think about where we spend our money and how that contributes to the bigger picture. Consider each of your dollars a vote as to how our entire economic system is structured. You can use each and every dollar and channel it in the direction you’d like to see change. What changes would you like to see in this world? Chances are there’s an opportunity to put your money where your mouth is.

Here are just a few examples of how you can use your money to create meaning in everyday purchases:

• Supporting local merchants (eating at local restaurants vs. chain restaurants, shopping farmers’ markets)
• Supporting women in business (check out our Mommysavers Networking Group)
• Supporting the green movement (buying things with less packaging, buying used, etc.)
• Supporting community events and organizations (buying items for school fundraisers, etc.)

Assignment: Do you stand for something? Write down a list of the ways you’d like to change the way you spend according to your values. Share some of your ideas.

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Ok one thing I like to do is to support the SAHM. Most of my friends are SAHMs and I like to go through them when I can. Now most things I can get for less other places. But I have been very happy getting our family photos done by a mom with a studio in her basement. Hosting a party and then using the hostess incentives to buy gifts. If nothing else I feel like part of a network. A friend of mine is starting a cloth Diaper buisness with knit soakers. Now while I am not into cloth diapering I have another friend who does classes and sales supplies, I have another friend who dyes yarn, and another who makes them. The least I can do is try to hook everyone up.

I like doing the farmers market or local stores

Have yet to really break into the green movement but its a great idea.

I guess I have the feeling with community events and organizations that I would rather donate then buy. Take the ever popular Girl Scout cookies. I like them but no way are they worth $4 a box I would rather take all of the $4 and give it to the troup them get something I really don't need.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006 &

Organizer of the Coupon Clippers of Tacoma