37. Boycott Unethical Companies
There are many companies who act unethically and not many are aware of it. L’Oreal still test their make up on animals and Coca Cola are responsible for a number of environment and human rights abuses including the assassination of eight trade union leaders in the 1990s. Kurt Geiger, Harrods and Burberry still sell fur and Nestle is still irresponsibly advertising their milk formula to new mothers; many babies in developing countries die from not having been breastfed. Check out www.ethicalconsumer.org for more information.
38. Buy A Gift That Gives More
There will almost always be a point in the year where you will need to buy a gift for someone, whether it be a birthday or Christmas present or a way of saying thank you for something. So, why not make it extra special and get a gift where a substantial percentage of it will then go to a charitable cause? Nearly every charity has their own online gift shop where you can be sure a donation will go back to the charity. Better still, if you buy a present such as an adopted animal, or for example, with Save The Children, you can buy medical packs for children in third world countries or food packages for families etc, you can make your money go a long way and your friend will often receive a certificate and information about where the money has gone.
The Greater Good Network has a range of websites which offer donations to different causes every time you buy something from them. Causes include animal shelters, women’s rights, autism, world hunger, the rainforest, homelessness, cancer, illiteracy and children in hospitals. They have a nice range of unusual and inspired gifts and a substantial amount from your payment will go back to the charity listed. Log onto www.greatergood.com for more information.
39. Have A Charitable Birthday Or Christmas
How about a birthday with a difference? Instead of a pile of presents that you don’t necessarily need, you could ask friends and family to contribute to a charity of your choice on your behalf?