Thanks to Occupy Wall Street, all of a sudden anger over economic injustice is getting attention - and results. People are starting to realize that what they do with their money matters. Move Your Money has picked up steam; just ask Bank of America.
It's not just about camping out in parks or getting a faceful of pepper spray; there's plenty of ways to make a point and make a difference. Follow me past the Orange Omnilepticon for a story on how people are using the power of mobs to make a difference - peacefully - and several other ideas to make your money speak for you!
MOBS! CASH MOBS!
I caught a rebroadcast of a Marketplace story this morning about people using social media to create Cash Mobs in support of local businesses.
Tess Vigeland: If we've learned anything from the rising tide of anger over various aspects of the economy, it's that consumers still have one element on their side: Choice. No one's telling you where to park your money or spend your money. And you can have an influence just by taking your dollars elsewhere.
This week, a group of citizens in Cleveland banded together to make their own point. They took the concept of the flash mob -- those coordinated sing-a-longs in mall food courts -- and turned it into a buy-local effort they called a "cash mob." Wednesday night they targeted a locally-owned store and mobbed it with $20 purchases.
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You can listen to the piece at the link above or read the transcript. It's a simple idea but one that can have an impact. It's not just about spending money that will stay in the community and help everyone, it's also about promoting and rewarding local businesses that are a positive presence. It can happen anywhere, and it doesn't need a lot of organization. Anyone with a following on some form of social media can put the idea up and as a group decide to make a difference.
SLEEP IN!
Another way to use money to send a message is WHEN you spend it. The American day of giving thanks has been highjacked to trigger the annual orgy of mass consumer spending for the holidays. Stores are opening at midnight or even staying open on Thanksgiving. It's bad enough that most of them don't give their workers decent pay, let alone holiday pay - but they want them there to deal with a horde of bargain-crazed plastic-wielders desperate to save money when they could be spending time with family. Workers are trying to push back, but it's not easy. August J. Pollack (Some Guy With a Website) has a simple suggestion:
With the articles being passed around Facebook and Twitter and blogs about how all the stores are going to just start opening at midnight on Black Friday, and in some cases are just not going to close for Thanksgiving, it's sort of weird seeing everyone comment about how they "feel bad for the employees" who are going to be forced to abandon their families on Thanksgiving and instead go to work to let people buy stuff at 2 in the morning.
I realize this seems like an obvious point, but they don't really give a shit if you "feel bad for them" and saying so on Facebook isn't going to stop their Thanksgiving dinner from being canceled. What you can do is simply not go shopping at 2 in the morning. If no one goes shopping at 2 in the morning, then the stores don't actually need to force their employees to be there, away from their families, most likely with no overtime or extra pay for being up at night on a holiday. I can attest from experience that not getting dressed and going somewhere at 2 in the morning is actually one of the easiest things I have ever had to do in my life, ever.
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TAKE THE PLEDGE! START A NEW TRADITION!
Several weeks ago I got an email from Steffi Domike at United Steel Workers suggesting I consider taking the pledge: don't shop at Amazon this holiday season. The reason why can be found at this link at American Rights at Work. (Double meaning in that name.) Amazon is doing more than driving brick and mortar stores out of business; they're exploiting workers desperate for jobs in a recession/depression. Sure, shopping over the internet is one click easy - but we need to pay attention to what's happening at the other end. (And not everyone likes virtual shopping. There are alternatives.)
Speak of alternatives, Domike passed on an email she'd gotten which is anonymous, but worth reading for smart holiday shopping that reaches far beyond the givers and the receivers.
Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre?
Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.
Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?
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STAND TOGETHER
I happen to work in a job that entitles me to union membership, which - despite all the Conservative (and corporate Democrat) union bashing - can be a damn good thing. If nothing else, it means I have an organization looking out for my interests as a worker all the time. (Remember when you could say that about the Democratic Party?)
Wel, even if you don't work in a union workplace you can still get advice, support and some of the benefits of union membership through something the United Steel Workers have come up with: an associate membership. You can get emails, talking points, and pointers to where you can throw your support to make a difference. Here's what the associate membership is about. I'm an associate member, which is why I heard from Steffi Domike with those good ideas above. Why not give it a try? The price is right, and you can always opt out.
IT'S YOUR MONEY - MAKE IT SPEAK FOR YOU