Choose MOGO

One of the big buzzwords lately is “ethical consumerism” or “green consumerism,” touting the idea that you can have your healthy, vegan, organic, fair-trade chocolate and sugar, locally-produced, compostable cake and eat it, too. Green goodies are definitely in, but not many people are stopping to ask themselves whether or not they even need (or want) that stuff anyway, green or not. Many of the choices we make seem to give us short-term satisfaction or pleasure, but don’t truly bring us joy, meaning, or accurately reflect our deepest values.

If you want to look beyond the surface of “ethical” consuming and bring mindfulness to the material goods and services you add to your life, keep a “Caring Consumer” card on you and consult it when you feel that urge to lay down some greenbacks.

Here are the Super 7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Buy:
(Note: There are actually more than 7 questions, but just go with it )

• Is this a Want or a Need?
• How much will I use it? How long will it last?
• Could I borrow it ? Make it? Do without it?
• Will having this add meaning to my life?
• Is purchasing this item the best way to care for myself and the planet?
• What is the true cost of this item to: My own health? Other species? Other animals? The environment? Other cultures?
• What will happen to this item when I’m finished with it?

I can already hear some people saying, “Dude! There’s no way I’m going to take time to think about all that stuff before I buy every single thing. That’s crazy! That’s overload!”

Sure, it can seem a bit overwhelming at first. But, as the cliche goes, “Practice makes perfect.” Making choices that do the most good and least harm isn’t actually about perfection, but when we start bringing awareness to the impact of our choices, and take a few seconds to think about questions like “Is this a want or a need?” then such questions become part of our new awareness and then become easier habits, and then grow into old easy ones. Rinse & repeat.

You can download a PDF that includes 6 copies of the card. Keep a couple for yourself & share the rest with friends and family!

~ Marsha