SIX WAYS WOMEN CAN CONTROL THE CONSUMER ECONOMY

Men, make way. We ladies have the power to make consumer choices that can help the world lead a greener and healthier life. There are six ways it can be done!

We Have the Power

International Women's Day may have been last week, but I thought I should share this:

" Mothers are the gateway to sales — women make 85% of purchasing decisions in a household, and often that women is a mom. She's not just buying for herself; she's also buying for the baby, the toddler, the teenager and for the entire soccer team. And she's not just buying Cheerios and baby wipes — she's purchasing electronics and other household items, sometimes even from her smartphone, since 70% of moms now own smartphones." Extracted from article "Marketing to Moms" Mashable

So, this means that women have the power to influence and possibly control the consumer economy, and we have the power to make consumer choices that can make our lives greener and healthier. How can we do that? I know we all have weaknesses when it comes to shopping (it happens) but here are a few tips.

1. Buy Only What You Need

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Do you really need extra pair of shoes? Does your child need the new pencil case?

2. Make It!

If you have time, make it! Plus it's a fun way to get the family involved and spend some quality time together.

If you want to upcycle, there are lots of tutorials on the web to get you started! Making is also a good way to teach the kids perseverance and patience.

3. Go Fresh

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Of course Make It also covers what we eat too. Try not to buy processed foods - I know we all love snacks like potato chips and biscuits from the store, but perhaps we can make our own, or eat nature's snack, fruit, instead.

4. #4 Read the Labels (on anything!)

It might say "natural" or "sugar-free" on the packaging, but always read the labels before you decide whether to buy it. There are some E numbers, additives and colourings that you would want to avoid.

The best place to read up more on this is Environmental Working Group. They even have shopper's guides.

Food scores

Food additives

The Dirty Dozen

Take a moment to read the labels of the clothing you buy too. Where was it made? What type of materials are going into the garment - synthetic or natural? Different textiles will require different care - which methods will have a smaller impact ? Will the garments you buy last long?

5. Go Vegetarian....

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...once a week (or more if you can)! I found this great site that shares vegetarian recipes . Gunjan, the author, shares a range of organic and vegetarian recipes covering breakfast to snacks!They look yummy too. And remember, always eat in moderation :-)

6. Go Toxic Free

I was going to say "chemical-free", but then everything is a chemical - salt, sugar, even the water we drink. And if we drink too much water we can get water poisoning. So, lets get rid of the toxins. I've successfully done that with some of my cleaning agents, my laundry and most of my toiletries.

Again, the best resource is Environmental Working Group.

What tips do you have to make your household greener and healthier?

Do you think women can influence the consumer economy?