I just found my new favorite website/book/ipod guide. Better World Shopper is an online resource that combines academic research, consumer-friendly lists and information, and suggestions for how where we spend our money can make a difference. The author (Dr. Ellis Jones), has arranged and “graded” companies and products according to the following five values: human rights, the environment, animal protection, community involvement, social justice. There are in-depth pages that explain how the research was done, the information on each company/category he rated, how to join the online conversation about this issue or ask questions about products not listed yet, and more about each of the five values.
There are over seventy-five categories that ave been evaluated and graded – including shoes and seafood, baby products and beer, supermarkets and pet care, cars and credit cards, airlines and audio products. After a cursory overview of the site, the product lists and discussions, and the explanations behind the ratings, I have to say I was really impressed at the information given and the ease of use of this site. There is a $10.00 book with more informationon this to order, as well as an ipod compatible guide that carries the ratings with you on the go – which you can download in a trial format for free.   Â
You have to check it out this website – and if you’re wondering for an easy place to start understanding this topic, I recommend the link on the left of the home page “Top Ten page” – it lists the ten best companies, the ten worst, and my favorite – the top ten purchases that consumers can each examine in order to make the biggest difference in where we spend (gas and credit cards are at the top of the list!) Peter and I have been talking a lot lately about finances and how we want to look at everything from investemnts to shopping for food to buying baby gear, and this website is an invaluable new tool for us. If you have other thoughts or resources related to this, please send them my way! We’ll be talking and reflecting on this theme for awhile and the more information and ideas we have, the better.   Â
awesome resource – Alison and I already took your advice and checked it out…thanks for sharing it!
also – the “sources” list on the site gives good links to the data the research is based on – it gives additional places to check out when trying to make informed purchases
I knew there was a reason I liked Target, the GAP and Mt. Dew! Woowoo!
Thanks so much for this resource Liz – it’s really great.
Thanks for sharing this –