How to Make a Difference: August 2008

29 August 2008

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23 August 2008

Image by s e l v i n via Flickr It seems strange to me that, in an age where you can talk about sex on public television and swear words are accepted everyday vocabulary, money is such a taboo subject. It would seem obvious with the recent economic downturn that this strategy has not panned out too well for most individuals.

We need to get over our embarrassment and start a dialogue about money. We need to talk openly about money with our kids, our partners, our friends, neighbours, financial advisors, work colleagues and bank managers. We need to talk with those in the know so we can understand money better. We need to pass on our accumulated fiscal wisdom - or ask for help if money management is a skill that has passed us by.

Why? Take a look at this list and start a conversation about money today!

1. In June, Consumer Debt in America rose $14.33 billion (in New Zealand they fell in June - but rose for the first time in 3 months in July). Having high levels of consumer debt - such as credit cards, hire purchase agreements, mortgages and personal loans - limits your choices about how, and even where, you choose to live. It ties you to working long hours, and steals away time you could be spending with loved ones. Sure, you might have more 'stuff', but wouldn't you rather have more choices?

2. The gap between the haves and have-nots is growing, globally and within countries. We can't address the unfair distribution of financial resources if we can't talk about money. Discuss what you earn, what you spend, what you buy, what you give . . . these conversations all help guide us to a decision on what is enough and what is fair.

3. We need our children to learn good financial management. If we can't openly discuss our fiscal failings and money management successes, we can't prepare our children to go out into the world as responsible, financially savvy citizens.

4. The more people we talk to about money, the more we learn and the better we can become at managing our own money and helping other people to manage theirs. We can learn more about how we can use our money to help those less fortunate or to enrich our community. We can learn how to make sure we always have enough to live comfortable and fulfilled lives.

5. According to the experts couples fight more about money than anything else. Talk about your feelings in regards to money, talk about your spending habits, make financial plans together. Being open and honest about money with your partner could save your relationship!

Join in the conversation at the Beating Debt Group at Care2!

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22 August 2008

Blog Action Day 08

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day 08 to help raise awareness about Global Poverty and create a global discussion. There are heaps of great bloggers joining the cause so there should be plenty of fantastic posts to peruse on October 15th . . . don't forget to pencil it into your diary so you can be there and join the conversation!!

17 August 2008

What would you give up?

Image via Wikipedia I recently discovered The Luxury Fund (via My Greening: Going Green).

Heres an excerpt from their introduction:

This is how it works. Today, you could decide to skip your cup of coffee at the local (or global) coffee shop and instead of running your check card for $3 at the coffee shop, you can run it right here and add $3 to the luxury fund. It's an easy way to make a small sacrifice with a huge impact around the world that can literally save lives. This is not a monthly or annual commitment, it's a day by day choice, and if you decide to forgo a luxury, you can come here immediately and add your money to the fund.

The money is all donated to 4 charities - Blood Water Mission, Compassion International, International Justice Mission, Love 146

Its a great idea, and definitely a positive step towards living an 'enough' based lifestyle!

So, what will YOU give up?

11 August 2008

5 Ideas to Help You say "Enough"

Image via WikipediaThe idea that we must constantly be striving to obtain more possessions is at the core of any capitalist democracy - and, by the looks of things, at least one large 'communist' dictatorship. Its an idea that society has embraced without question, and without regard to the true cost.

These days most people in developed nations work longer than they did some 50 years ago. We have less leisure time and spend less time with our families. We are deeper in debt than ever before and less connected with our neighbourhoods. And these are just some of the social costs.

The environment is also suffering from an economic system based on constant growth. We are drowning in rubbish, destroying pristine environments, and chasing species after species down to extinction.

Isn't it time someone said "ENOUGH!"?

If you want to help us all get out of the rat race here's some ideas to help you find what is enough for you:

1. Ask the big questions
Socrates, by all accounts, used to upset his fellow citizens by asking them to analyse the obvious and think deeply about widely held assumptions. Try challenging yourself with the following questions (and any others that you come up with):
What do I need to live a comfortable life?
What is the difference between financial security & hoarding wealth?
Who would I be without my possessions?
Is my financial security attained at the expense of others?
Does having more stuff make me happier?

Feel free to share you answers with us in the comments section.

2. Try GivingMany of us a so scared about losing our 'stuff' that we protect it at all costs. But if you really want to attract more abundance into your life try giving things away. Sign up for the 29-Day Giving Challenge and give one thing away every day for 29 days. Who knows what you'll find yourself giving away.

3. Go WithoutGive the credit cards a rest and indulge in a week without buying anything but the essentials. Sometimes less really is more - or at least enough!

4. Take StockMake an inventory of everything you own. How much of it do you actually use? How much of it do you owe money on? How much of it did you not even know you had? What things are actually essential items that you use regularly? What things would make you feel worse off if you no longer had them?

5. Be Grateful
Take the time to be thankful for the things you do have - and not just your physical possessions. Remember to value the things money can't buy. Often the very act of being grateful can help you realise what is important to you.

06 August 2008

Green Technology

Image via WikipediaGreen technology is a term that is bandied about a lot these days as companies try to cash in on the emerging consumer demand for more eco friendly products. If you believe the ads, then it seems pretty much anything counts as green. But what is green technology really about?

Green technology should be environmentally sound, economically viable and socially equitable.
It needs to meet these criteria from the very beginning of its lifecycle to the end of its useful life when it should be able to be fully reclaimed or recycled.

It may sound like pretty tough criteria, but never fear. If you are a technophile and a greenie there is plenty of appropriate technology out there.

Take a look at EnviroGadget.com for news on all the great eco-friendly gadgets out there. You can find reviews on everything from energy efficient hard drives, to a washing machine/toilet combo that uses the grey water from the washing machine to flush the toilet!

And read 'The Do-Good Imperative' to find out about the innovative technologies that are being developed to meet the needs of people in third world and developing nations.

04 August 2008

Lets Take Responsibility

Image via Wikipedia Lately I've been hearing a lot of people complaining about the state of the world today. About the rising costs of petrol and groceries, about increased crime and violence, about environmental degradation, about unemployment, how their neighbourhood isn't what it used to be, about the crazy traffic on our roads . . . now don't get me wrong, its not that I don't think these things warrant a grizzle. Its just that the majority of people I hear complaining are blaming it all on someone else - Government, big business, immigrants, terrorists, the rich and powerful - as though they have no personal responsibility for the problem and therefore no responsibility to contribute to the solution.

Its so easy to blame McDonalds for making us overweight rather than accepting responsibility for our own poor diet choices. Or to blame credit card companies for drowning us in debt rather than accepting responsibilty for our own bad spending habits. Or to blame the loss of local jobs on big business rather than on our lack of support for locally made goods

Its time to take a look at the choices we make as individuals and consider their consequences. If we choose to buy overpackaged products, then they will continue to be made. If we choose not to support our local economy, it won't thrive. If we choose to live outside of our means, we will get into debt. If we choose to support businesses that pollute our environment, they will continue to do so.

Its up to each one of us to start making informed and mindful choices about how we live our lives rather than sitting back and waiting for 'them' to fix things for us. Its up to each one of us to start now instead of sitting back and waiting for everyone else to do something - someone needs to be first . . . why not you??

01 August 2008

5 Ways to Use Less Energy

Image via Wikipedia If you are lingering out on the edge of green, too overwhelmed to dive right in and not quite sure of the best place to so much as dip your toes in the water, then this could be the list for you.

Its ok to start small and work your way up to bigger and more challenging lifestyle changes, especially if you are dragging some not so enthused family members along with you. Its also ok to find some changes that you are just not prepared to make - as long as we all get started doing something to lower our impact on the planet.

So start now and do something. Its not so hard to be green as Kermit would have you believe!!

1. Switch it off
Turn the lights off when you leave the room, turn appliances off at the wall when they are not in use, turn your computer off when you finish using it . . .

2. Turn it down
Turn the thermostat down a few degrees in the winter and wear a jersey instead. You don't need to replicate summer temperatures indoors in the middle of winter!

3. Hang it Out
Use a clothesline to dry your clothes rather than the dryer, or if you don't have a backyard, simply use a clothes horse and dry your clothes on a sunny balcony or in a sunny window.

4. Leave it at Home
Your car, that is. Catch a bus, walk, car pool . . .

5. Wait till its Full
Only wash full loads in your washing machine or dishwasher. You'll not only do fewer loads but use less water too!

You can do it! Pick one of the suggestions on this list and make a start - you'll not only be saving the planet, but saving money too!