Step 1: Redirecting Energy - Cashflow & Spending

One of the major ways we can make an impact to the system, influence it's direction, is to direct our spending wisely.

Ask the questions:

• Where does the money I spend flow to?
• Is the product or service I am buying local?
• What is the impact on me, the environment and the community by my purchase of this product / service?

If we ask these questions we get a very easy to follow method (provided the information we have access to is accurate) of where to buy, what to buy and what not to buy.

The information of course isn't always fourthcoming and our choices may often be limited to unethical options.

Here are a few pointers:

• Check the product labelling:

• Is the product organic?
• Are there additives? What are they?
• Is it Fair Trade Certified? (although w can't be sure if this actually mean anything, it's better to support such a cause than forgo it altogether).
• Are the ingredients locally sourced?
• Can I avoid buying genetically modified products or ingredients in the products?
• Is the service outsourced? How much of it is outsourced?

• Ring the product supplier an ask if you can visit their site to see what their operation is like. Say you have an interest in knowing about their operation for research purposes and want to promote them among the community if they can show you what their advantages are. A shady company will be less transparent, where smaller companies with a drive to real do what it is they say will let you visit.
• Buy fresh, unprocessed food. This means you avoid GST. No GST means you're not paying your dollars to the government.
• Stop buying products that are taxed. For example alcohol and tobacco are heavily taxed. Opt for alternatives such as make your own spirits and beer from kits or switch to electronic ciggerettes. By avoiding these products you no longer support the system in many ways. You already pay income tax and tax on your savings too, why pay more in a system you're not wholely in support of? Use that money wisely and support what you do beleive in yourself.
• Find alternatives to the way you do things as much as you can that are self supportive, sustainable and not dependant on large organsations - be creative.
• Support small business and stop buying that large chain stores and franchises.
• Stop label bashing - wearing brand names may make you look like a millionaire, but the real millionaires are the ones who sold you the item. Buy based on a personalised look, fit and style from local artisans who need the support. Sure, you may end up looking a bit artsy fartsy - but the way of the future is a confident expressive individual that breaks the mould - not conformists. Be brave.

Challenges:

• Finding products which meet criteria can be difficult. It's time consuming to read into detail every time you shop. Find a good brand and then keep your eye out for new players. Write down your favourites. Post them here for others.
• Avoiding suppliers that drive out competition unfairly such as large supermarket chains can be tough as smaller grocers don't have the variety you desire.
• Finding the time to visit places where our products are produced can be an expnsive an time consuming venture, but if w wait for someone else to do it and all of u continue to do just that, we will remain as we are, with no change and no real clarity or trust in the product.
• You can't avoid GST altogether, but reducing it majorly is possible. eat raw, eat fresh.
• Avoiding buying alcohol and cigerettes is tough if you socialise regularly. However, instead of going clubbing, organise house parties, get guests to bring the food and you supply all the alcohol, home brewed. Specialise in it to an extent where what you make is superior to the liquor store. you'll not only be a proud producer of fine liquor, but you're also fairly within legal boundaries by producing for 'personal' use.
• Wearing alternative unique clothes to the yuppy club will get you a few strange looks - but the yuppies are desperate types anyway - try not to worry too much, you'll get hit on at some point as long as you have good taste. Besides, do you really want to be going out with the ignorant schmuck who will constantly annoy you with their careless attitude? Hold out for the worthy, you'll be glad for it.

Links:
http://www.shiawaseno.net/

There is a video which is in English on the above page which will give you a lot to understand about localisation vs Globalisation and the impacts.

Another point I want to address is the distance between the producer and consumer of goods that has created a rift between actions that are harmful and the people carrying them out. I may have mentioned this in passing, but this article actually talks about it exactly how I feel. People are out of touch with the consequences of their spend and actions.

http://www.trueactivist.com/the-man-who-lives-without-money/