Greening Your Money: Socially Responsible Investing

Most of us do not have extra cash laying around to invest. But, if we ever do, here's something to consider: Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). This cutting-edge growing trend makes it possible for people to achieve their financial goals without compromising their beliefs in a socially and environmentally just present and future. SRI's stocks, IRAs, Mutual Funds and even Community Investing provide competitive returns while encouraging social and environmental progress. These companies are screened against alcohol, weapons, animal testing, labor relations, and a series of other criteria.

If you are interested in learning more about SRI's, read all about it in the March topic of green notes.

Environmental step: toner

Most people have a small printer, and most people complain about the cost of the inks. But what most people don't know is that the cartridges are recyclable, and 95% end up in the landfill which will take 1,000 years to break down. Many cartridge companies offer free prepaid pouches for the recycling or reconditioning of those cartridges. Depending on what kind of cartridge you have, there are a couple of ways you can save money and the environment: 1) to purchase "refill kits" of inks, which allow you to keep your existing cartridges but refill the inks yourself, or 2) to purchase remanufactured cartridges from trusted vendors.

BookWorm Watch: Megatrends 2010

In an interview on NPR, Patricia Auberdene, author of MegaTrends 2010, explained that capitalism does well because it's driven by self-interest—a very natural human trait. Greed, on the other hand, is self-interest gone amok. Many companies have a "bottom line" that is unreasonable, when profits are desired at any cost, including human health, salaries and benefits. On the other hand, a growing number of companies seem to have a different kind of bottom line. The reconciliation between corporate and consumer spiritual values (not religious) with the economy is a megatrend that is catching on. A very though-provoking read.

ISBN: 1-57174-456-8 (Hampton Roads Publishing)

February's donation went to the San Francisco Rescued Orphan Mammal Program. This non-profit rehabilitates injured and orphaned native wildlife, such as baby racoons, opossums, skunks and squirrels and re-introduces them back into their environment. This non-profit is run entirely by volunteers and funded only by its supporters. In addition to this donation, Designarchy will also donate graphic design services (and Tania and Skylar will be fostering baby animals as well ;-) Check out their website at www.sfromp.org

Marketing and advertising via mail can be pretty expensive in terms of postage and materials costs. Changing your mailing to self-mailing, eliminating the need for envelopes will save you money in both areas and eliminate paper waste.