Money Matters

Microcredit Benefits Small Businesses, the Environment, And Your Bank Account, Too Socially responsible investing has traditionally meant keeping your money away from negative investments, like tobacco companies and large polluters. But what if your money could turn a profit while actually having a positive impact? What if you lent part of your nest-egg to a […]

A Helping Hand for the Green Investor The socially-conscious investor with $5,000 to put at risk can choose from a variety of specially tailored mutual funds and financial planning services. But suppose the green investor has $5 million in family money and needs some specialized attention in deciding where it should go? The San Francisco-based […]

Local Currencies and Bartering Networks Bring Economics Home Managing without money may sound like a radical idea, but for most of history—and even in many parts of the world today—economic life didn’t revolve around currency. Homo economicus either bartered or made do with what he caught, foraged or grew himself. While those days are mostly […]

Activist Phone Companies Give to the Cause and Reduce Rates, Too The FAX machine, the World Wide Web and email-all tied to telephone lines-have made possible a revolution in American work habits. The convenience and cost savings of working from home means even the environmentally unaware are increasingly trading in their driving shoes for stay-at-home […]

Eco-conscious investors looking to put their money where their mouths are need look no further than natural foods supermarkets
and NASDAQ. Two of the three leading national chains, Whole Foods and Wild Oats, are publicly traded stocks that have weathered the recent recession.

Socially Responsible Mutual Funds that Can Go the Distance Socially responsible mutual funds are a relatively recent phenomenon, but now there are a number of options for people who wish to invest according to their values. © Elizabeth Prager Recently, the markets have been as turbulent as an August thunderstorm. Most successful investors, however, ignore […]

Environmental Groups Profit From "Stranded" Inventory The Green Widget Company (GWC) was in a quandary: Acme Widget Supply had executed a purchase order for $200,000 worth of recycled Widgets in a unique sea foam color, then promptly went out of business. GWC was sitting on inventory it couldn't sell, and it was spending money every […]

Community-Supported Agriculture is the Affordable Way to Go Organic For most consumers, organic produce is an appealing alternative that they just can’t afford. High price tags don’t exactly encourage the nutritionally curious to make the switch to healthier, pesticide-free greens. But what if there was another way to obtain fresh, organically-grown fruits and vegetables, and […]