How to Make Your Money Reflect Your Values
And every dollar I spent in February of my Low Spend Year.
One of the strongest powers we hold as Americans is the power of our dollars. In a country where the richest have power, it’s a form of communication and maybe the only form that they listen to.
As tempting as living in a cave and surviving on nuts and berries seems, I do appreciate the money I spend on running water, heat, clean clothes and coffee. Even as someone participating in a Low Spend Year, when folks shout about “SPENDING NOTHING EVER AGAIN!,” I can’t help but give a little side-eye. Because this all or nothing thinking is how we got into this mess.
I purposefully called my goal a “Low Spend Year” because I know that some spending is inevitable. As much as I’d like a different system, we currently live under capitalism. Although I want to stick it to the man, I still want to live my life too.
Do I think we should boycott billionaire’s companies? Yes.
Do I think we should should have dedicated economic blackout days? Yes.
Do I still want to buy a book, get a little treat and meet my friends at bookclub? Also, yes.
I truly believe that there is a space between off-grid cave dwelling and unfettered, TikTok-shop-style capitalism. And that space is making your money reflect your values.
Here’s how to do it:
Redirect your spending
Take a look at your current, frequent purchases. What can you redirect to small businesses? What can you order directly from the manufacturer’s website instead of going through a third party like Target or Wal-Mart? Examine these purchases, cut down on what you don’t need and redirect to businesses who better reflect your values. Speaking of cutting down…
Save where you can
The truth is that often times supporting a small business is more expensive. Small businesses can’t offer free shipping because shipping isn’t free! They also have to pay themselves, small business taxes, mailing supplies, the list goes on and on. I’m a small business owner and when accounting for time spent, I make less than minimum wage. This is where customers can help.
If you can minimize excess spending at big businesses, you can afford to spend at small businesses. We’ve all been to Target for one thing and left with absolutely nothing we came for. Instead of spending on that extra stuff, cut down on what you need from the big guys, so you can spend that extra $2 on the small guys. A $100 trip to Target means nothing to them. A $100 trip to your local small business means paying their light bill.
Change your bank
Big banks are some of the worst offenders of climate change. They also don’t care about you AT ALL. Big banks are driven by profit. Credit unions, on the other hand are typically non-profit and focus more on the financial well-being of their members. As part of a credit union, you are part owner and have more say. You may be able to vote on board members or even become one yourself! Credit unions also contribute to your local economy by investing in local initiatives. Seriously, if you do nothing else, take your money out of those big banks.
Know that something is better than nothing
There’s so much whataboutism in urging people to shop less. And honestly, it wears me down. When I recently posted about how to participate in the economic blackout, I had so many comments telling me that they needed something. And ok, maybe you truly do need something, who am I to judge? (Although you know they’d be the first to judge me! 😛 ) But limiting your spending to 50/50 (small biz to big box store) is way better than nothing at all.
Even making one less purchase a month at a billionaire’s business is better than nothing. We can always do something, even if it’s small.
