The Power of a Purchase by Carrie Howthorne

During 2009, thousands of Americans struggled to find work, pay bills and provide enough food for their families. The economic crisis of 2009 also was the time that the country’s four largest financial firms netted $22.5 billion in profits. The CEO of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein, defended the investment bank’s massive profits, saying Goldman Sachs is “doing God’s work.”*

No doubt many of us have an entirely different idea of what God’s work is—one that doesn’t include record-breaking profits or doing nothing to address the root causes of poverty, hunger and environmental degradation around the world. Unfortunately, many corporations operate with a focus on the bottom line, rather than their toll on people and the environment.

But each of us can make a difference. Each time we make a purchase, we vote with our dollars—whether we’re buying a birthday present or our morning cup of coffee. Each purchase is a vote in favor of not just a company, but its way of doing business. Spending is a huge responsibility.

*Amy Goodman, www.DemocracyNow.org, November 19, 2009.

Read the full text of this article to find out the tips (and logos to watch for!) to make each purchase mindful and meaningful.

Call 866/802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the January/February 2010 issue (HZN-10-200; $4 plus shipping).

Carrie Hawthorne is director of Partners for Just Trade (PJT).

Illustration by Chris Angrisani .

Other Articles Online This Issue

Devotion (The Spirit of Simplicity)
Living Simply
The Simple Living Journey
Living Simply, Eating Simply
The Power of a Purchase
Giving Our Children the Gift of Simplicity
A Seed Bears Much Fruit
What One PW Is Doing (Becoming the Hands of Christ)
Supporting Mission (Living Simply, Loving Greatly)
Discernment (Empty Tea Cups)


Read the full text of this article to find out the tips (and logos to watch for!) to make each purchase mindful and meaningful. Call 866/802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons or order the January/ February 2010 issue (HZN-10-200; $4 plus shipping).	The Power of a Purchase: How Buying Thoughtfully Can Improve Lives by Carrie Hawthorne During 2009, thousands of Americans struggled to find work, pay bills and provide enough food for their families. The economic crisis of 2009 also was the time that the country’s four largest financial firms netted $22.5 billion in profits. The CEO of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein, defended the investment bank’s massive profits, saying Goldman Sachs is “doing God’s work.”* No doubt many of us have an entirely different idea of what God’s work is—one that doesn’t include record-breaking profits or doing nothing to address the root causes of poverty, hunger and environmental degradation around the world. Unfortunately, many corporations operate with a focus on the bottom line, rather than their toll on people and the environment. But each of us can make a difference. Each time we make a purchase, we vote with our dollars—whether we’re buying a birthday present or our morning cup of coffee. Each purchase is a vote in favor of not just a company, but its way of doing business. Spending is a huge responsibility. Amy Goodman, www.DemocracyNow.org, November 19, 2009. Read the full text of this article to find out the tips (and logos to watch for!) to make each purchase mindful and meaningful. Call 866/802-3635 or subscribe to Horizons* or order the January/February 2010 issue (HZN-10-200; $4 plus shipping). Carrie Hawthorne is director of Partners for Just Trade (PJT). Illustration by Chris Angrisani . Other Articles Online This Issue Devotion (The Spirit of Simplicity) Living Simply The Simple Living Journey Living Simply, Eating Simply The Power of a Purchase Giving Our Children the Gift of Simplicity A Seed Bears Much Fruit What One PW Is Doing (Becoming the Hands of Christ) Supporting Mission (Living Simply, Loving Greatly) Discernment (Empty Tea Cups)	Current Issue JAN/FEB 2010 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue to Horizons or call (866) 802-3635 the January/February 2010 issue, HZN-10-200 ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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