Comments on: Money and Values: Voting With Dollars http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/ personal finance that makes cents Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:06:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Sherm http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6568 Sherm Fri, 01 Sep 2006 20:52:57 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6568 Tracy W makes an excellent point. Similarly, of course there are corporations out there doing evil and reaping huge shareholder returns at the expense of others (Exxon, anyone?), but that is certainly not true of all corporations. For all you know, Supercuts Inc. could be the greatest philanthropic organization known to man, and might actually pay its stylists far more than what your local barber makes. I'm as pro-small business as anyone, but a blanket stance that Corporate = Bad is naive coming from someone who appears to be so knowledgeable about finances in other regards. It would be far more reasonable to suggest that people become informed about what the corporations they buy from are doing and make their purchasing on that basis, rather than "buy local!" Tracy W makes an excellent point.

Similarly, of course there are corporations out there doing evil and reaping huge shareholder returns at the expense of others (Exxon, anyone?), but that is certainly not true of all corporations.

For all you know, Supercuts Inc. could be the greatest philanthropic organization known to man, and might actually pay its stylists far more than what your local barber makes.

I’m as pro-small business as anyone, but a blanket stance that Corporate = Bad is naive coming from someone who appears to be so knowledgeable about finances in other regards. It would be far more reasonable to suggest that people become informed about what the corporations they buy from are doing and make their purchasing on that basis, rather than “buy local!”

]]> By: Tracy W http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6431 Tracy W Thu, 31 Aug 2006 03:58:52 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6431 Why prefer to shop only at local places and keep your money in your community? What's the logic behind that? People are richer the greater the variety of people they can trade with. Part of the reason the US is so rich is that the total market is some 260, 270 million people before you have to put up with the hassle of international trade. People in your local community are probably not any more virtuous than people in the rest of the world, and if you're in the first world then they're probably far better off than the average person around the world. Why would you want your money to stay in the local area? And on the other side, whenever I've been away and seen signs in shops encouraging people to buy local, no shop has ever refused to take my money even when my accent and appearance is screaming foreigner. If buying local is good, then why don't shops refuse to sell to people from far away? If you're concerned about the travel cost of goods then it makes more sense to lobby for petrol taxes so the cost of the transport gets incorporated into the cost of the good. Sometimes it is environmentally more friendly to buy goods from further away even once transport has been taken into account because there are other environmental benefits from growing stuff in a climate that is more natural. There are reasons to worry about ethics when buying something. But I don't understand why the favouring buying local. Why prefer to shop only at local places and keep your money in your community? What’s the logic behind that?

People are richer the greater the variety of people they can trade with. Part of the reason the US is so rich is that the total market is some 260, 270 million people before you have to put up with the hassle of international trade.

People in your local community are probably not any more virtuous than people in the rest of the world, and if you’re in the first world then they’re probably far better off than the average person around the world. Why would you want your money to stay in the local area?

And on the other side, whenever I’ve been away and seen signs in shops encouraging people to buy local, no shop has ever refused to take my money even when my accent and appearance is screaming foreigner. If buying local is good, then why don’t shops refuse to sell to people from far away?

If you’re concerned about the travel cost of goods then it makes more sense to lobby for petrol taxes so the cost of the transport gets incorporated into the cost of the good. Sometimes it is environmentally more friendly to buy goods from further away even once transport has been taken into account because there are other environmental benefits from growing stuff in a climate that is more natural.

There are reasons to worry about ethics when buying something. But I don’t understand why the favouring buying local.

]]> By: Peter http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6371 Peter Wed, 30 Aug 2006 13:16:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6371 I routinely vote with my wallet. I refuse to shop at any business that treats me badly and acts like they don't want my business. That is one of the side benefits of being financially secure. I don't have to shop based on the lowest price (which often results in the worst service). I don't mind paying a little more for good service and supporting businesses that treat their customers well. I routinely vote with my wallet. I refuse to shop at any business that treats me badly and acts like they don’t want my business.
That is one of the side benefits of being financially secure. I don’t have to shop based on the lowest price (which often results in the worst service). I don’t mind paying a little more for good service and supporting businesses that treat their customers well.

]]> By: Marco http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6340 Marco Wed, 30 Aug 2006 00:08:20 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6340 Don't talk to me about bananas... In Australia we recently saw banana prices shoot up to $16 per kilo because a cyclone knocked down all the bananas! As for wines... we have an oversupply down here... you can get some quality clearskins for as cheap as $5 a bottle! Don’t talk to me about bananas… In Australia we recently saw banana prices shoot up to $16 per kilo because a cyclone knocked down all the bananas!

As for wines… we have an oversupply down here… you can get some quality clearskins for as cheap as $5 a bottle!

]]> By: J.D. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6329 J.D. Tue, 29 Aug 2006 20:30:29 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6329 Re: Buying from kids Roger's right that I'm talking more about the "lemonade stand" type of kids rather than the "selling magazines" type of kids. I'll go out of my way to buy lemonade from a boy on the side of the road. The other day, I bought cookies from girls at a garage sale. I bought a joke from a girl earlier in the year. I'll even buy magazines from children I know. But it's a different matter to buy things from older kids that you do not know. If you're sure of the source, then do it. (For example, if you know the high school is having a fund-raiser.) But you can really get burned by trying to be nice to older kids. I'll publish one such story in the next week or so. Re: Buying from kids

Roger’s right that I’m talking more about the “lemonade stand” type of kids rather than the “selling magazines” type of kids. I’ll go out of my way to buy lemonade from a boy on the side of the road. The other day, I bought cookies from girls at a garage sale. I bought a joke from a girl earlier in the year. I’ll even buy magazines from children I know.

But it’s a different matter to buy things from older kids that you do not know. If you’re sure of the source, then do it. (For example, if you know the high school is having a fund-raiser.) But you can really get burned by trying to be nice to older kids. I’ll publish one such story in the next week or so.

]]> By: frugal http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6328 frugal Tue, 29 Aug 2006 20:24:50 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6328 J.D., I'm with you on voting with dollars. It's important for everyone of us to check to see whether we are spending like how we believe in. On buying from kids, I used to do that, but not anymore. Oregon is a great place to live. But ever since I moved to California, I find Californians are a completely different bunch of people than Oregonians. I bought newspaper from a (diligent looking) high school kid, and supposedly the money will benefit their high school classroom. Guess what happens! This kid used my credit card number and ordered lap-dancers "for me". The lap dancer kept wanting to come to my home, even though I told them that it was a fraud. I cannot be more mad! If I have a choice, I will definitely not retire in a big city. J.D., I’m with you on voting with dollars. It’s important for everyone of us to check to see whether we are spending like how we believe in.

On buying from kids, I used to do that, but not anymore. Oregon is a great place to live.
But ever since I moved to California, I find Californians are a completely different bunch of people than Oregonians. I bought newspaper from a (diligent looking) high school kid, and supposedly the money will benefit their high school classroom. Guess what happens! This kid used my credit card number and ordered lap-dancers “for me”. The lap dancer kept wanting to come to my home, even though I told them that it was a fraud.

I cannot be more mad! If I have a choice, I will definitely not retire in a big city.

]]> By: Brian http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6325 Brian Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:32:44 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6325 I vote with my dollars every chance I get...and am amazed that more people don't. A few examples: 1. We will not, under any circumstances, shop at Wal-Mart or Sam's Club. Target and Costco are "friendly" alternatives. 2. We shop at Whole Foods for most of our produce and meats. We've found that they carry more locally grown/produced goods than the farmers' market here in Dallas. 3. We refuse to drive SUVs not only because of the budgetary and environmental issues of gas-guzzling, but because who really needs a vehicle that big to haul around a couple kids? 4. I recently spent about $200 to switch every light bulb in our house to compact fluorescent. Saving money on electric bills and cutting our carbon footprint at the same time. I vote with my dollars every chance I get…and am amazed that more people don’t. A few examples:
1. We will not, under any circumstances, shop at Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club. Target and Costco are “friendly” alternatives.
2. We shop at Whole Foods for most of our produce and meats. We’ve found that they carry more locally grown/produced goods than the farmers’ market here in Dallas.
3. We refuse to drive SUVs not only because of the budgetary and environmental issues of gas-guzzling, but because who really needs a vehicle that big to haul around a couple kids?
4. I recently spent about $200 to switch every light bulb in our house to compact fluorescent. Saving money on electric bills and cutting our carbon footprint at the same time.

]]> By: Kimber http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6323 Kimber Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:21:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6323 I so agree with buying whatever kids are selling. Sales is such an important skill to master. I'm even patient with telemarketers (did telemarketing for bit to help pay for school). I so agree with buying whatever kids are selling.
Sales is such an important skill to master.
I’m even patient with telemarketers
(did telemarketing for bit to help pay for school).

]]> By: anne http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6318 anne Tue, 29 Aug 2006 17:26:39 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6318 Yes, definitely. I always check to see where my produce is grown. I choose local independent stores over chains - I should add, this is easier than tripping over my own shoes in Berkeley. I like your policy of buying things kids are selling. I'm going to try that. Yes, definitely.

I always check to see where my produce is grown. I choose local independent stores over chains - I should add, this is easier than tripping over my own shoes in Berkeley.

I like your policy of buying things kids are selling. I’m going to try that.

]]> By: Phelan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6316 Phelan Tue, 29 Aug 2006 17:20:18 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6316 Hope you don't mind, But I linked this article with a recent post of mine entitled <a href="http://a-homesteading-neophyte.blogspot.com/2006/08/i-am-not-anti-government.html" rel="nofollow">I am not anti-Government</a> Hope you don’t mind, But I linked this article with a recent post of mine entitled I am not anti-Government

]]> By: Matt http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6314 Matt Tue, 29 Aug 2006 16:13:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6314 I vote with my dollars! I've been Wal-Mart free since October of 2004. I couldn't possibly support the destruction of local business and workers' rights. I vote with my dollars! I’ve been Wal-Mart free since October of 2004. I couldn’t possibly support the destruction of local business and workers’ rights.

]]> By: Charles http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6313 Charles Tue, 29 Aug 2006 16:09:52 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/29/money-and-values-voting-with-dollars/#comment-6313 Your faith in farmer's markets supporting local businesses may be misplaced. Much of the produce sold at farmer's markets is the same out-of-state Truck Farm goods you buy at any supermarket. Here in Iowa, there's a new movement to certify vendors who sell only locally produced goods, I notice that none of the vendors in my neighborhood's market are certified local. Also, I am picky about what I buy from kids. A lot of unscrupulous door-to-door vendors use kids to front their operations, and a lot of times they're brought in from other communities. I always ask them if the sales are in support of a local organization, and almost invariably they're not. On the other hand, I suspect you were talking more about lemonade stands and that sort of thing. That's purely a local, individual effort. Your faith in farmer’s markets supporting local businesses may be misplaced. Much of the produce sold at farmer’s markets is the same out-of-state Truck Farm goods you buy at any supermarket. Here in Iowa, there’s a new movement to certify vendors who sell only locally produced goods, I notice that none of the vendors in my neighborhood’s market are certified local.

Also, I am picky about what I buy from kids. A lot of unscrupulous door-to-door vendors use kids to front their operations, and a lot of times they’re brought in from other communities. I always ask them if the sales are in support of a local organization, and almost invariably they’re not.
On the other hand, I suspect you were talking more about lemonade stands and that sort of thing. That’s purely a local, individual effort.

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