A strong, very contagious and addictive 'buy' virus has been mutating through society for many years now. Infected by massive amounts of creative, questionable corporate marketing methods it is creating very serious problems. Among them, the cost to produce and purchase products, and the resulting disposal of mountains of waste.

There is increasing social interest on this topic, particularly visible on the internet. Yet there is waste everywhere as the great pressures to purchase more continues. Redirecting and refining consumerism to take a more sensible place in our society will have unfortunate economic implications and will need careful planning. This will happen eventually in some manner, and the longer it takes the more painful will be the cure.

Valerie Yule at On Line Opinion provides some useful insight on the topic of waste.

Cutting waste - saving the planet without destroying economies discusses the causes and extent of waste. It outlines unnecessary and excessive consumption, how to reduce waste, and the challenges ahead.

The growing movement for individuals to become more environmentally careful in their life-styles focuses on measures such as less energy-wasting light-globes and re-using plastic bags. Our range of wasting and their economic consequences are still to be thought out. Waste can be defined as anything turned into rubbish before it needs to be. About half of everything produced involves waste at one stage or another. Most waste involves carbon emissions at one or more stages in its life - in the production of materials to make it, in the manufacture and in its distribution, in energy required to use it, and the energy and emissions in either recycling or turning it into trash.

Read more on Cutting Waste - the types, and unnecessary excesses at On Line Opinion

The US Environmental Protection Agency outlines many practical steps with:
The Consumer's Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste.

In this unbalanced world of rampant consumerism and devastating poverty the following article should give cause for reflection.

The Giving Jar
by Rachel Paxton

Giving with a happy heart. If you teach a child to give with a happy heart you will raise a child who will never hesitate to lend a helping hand. Children enjoy helping others, especially if they see their parents doing the same. When a child's basic physical and emotional needs are met, they are willing to share almost anything they have with someone in need

My daughter wanted to help others from the time she was old enough to understand what it was she was doing. Before she was old enough for an allowance she helped me go through her outgrown clothes and toys to give away to charities. At Christmastime we would shop together for needy families (she looked forward to this as much as picking out her own gifts). And this doesn't mean we weren't needy ourselves. When my daughter was young I was a single mom working and going to college, and I was barely able to make ends meet. What little we had left over, however, we used to help others. I am convinced that this act of helping others took my daughter's focus off of our own circumstances and created a passion in her for helping others. She always had food to eat and clothes to wear -- she did not sense a lack in her life and so was willing to freely give anything she had.

As my daughter got older and started getting an allowance, she started spending her own money. She spent her allowance on family Christmas and birthday presents (however small), started tithing, and started contributing to charities of her choice. My daughter's allowance is relatively small, compared to some of her friends, but that doesn't keep her from making contributions, no matter how small, to people and organizations she wants to help. Now that she's old enough to babysit, she has even more money to decide what to do with. She decides what to spend on herself, what to save, and what to give to others.

Our family recently came up with an idea of how we could work together to save up some money to help others. I am forever picking up loose change around the house, on the floor, in the car, and in the bottom of my purse. We decided to start a "Giving Jar" where we could deposit our spare change, and then as the occasion arose, we would use it to help others. We all pooled together our spare change and we already had more than $15. I placed the jar on the kitchen counter and put a big label on it that says "Giving Jar." It has motivated us all to save more and is also a great conversational piece!

Don't think you have to have a lot of money to give others a helping hand. Any amount, no matter how small, develops in your child the gift of a giving heart.

Copyright 2001. Originally published at Suite 101. Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer, mom, and owner of four home and family web sites. Visit her web site for complete resources for the Christian home


"If you lend money, it is uncertain whether you shall be repaid; but if you bestow alms, although they may be small, your return will be a hundred fold." - Saskya Pandita

As I prepared to post this article I felt an online contribution was in order and chose Oxfam International. There are so many very needy and worthy causes and it only takes a few minutes. Charity Guide offers a long list of charites.

It's happening more frequently, using fine print to camouflage important information in advertising and customer contracts.

Consumers fume when they get stung by means of fine print or in any other shady way. Yet business seems unconcerned as its use continues.

Reviewing complaint letter replies that I have received I would imagine the attitude of a corporation that uses fine print to confuse and trick consumers to be something like:

We are doing nothing illegal.
It's within our association's guidelines.
It's standard in the industry.
We get few complaints, it's acceptable.

We should always take the time to read the fine print on an agreement or an advertisement carefully. If we can read and understand what they are saying it will be worthwhile. Unfortunately the text may be too long, too difficult or slyly worded to understand, or the text too small. Most of us just won't take the trouble to read this important information if it is too much trouble.

But beware - they know that!

Fine print is sometimes so small that a magnifying glass is required. The text might also be faded and fuzzy to read. Service contracts, credit agreements, insurance plans and 'too good to be true' ads should be very carefully studied. If possible. If it's not easily understood should a consumer go there?

Some newspaper ads have conditions at the bottom printed so small that nobody could read them and appears to be a joke. The consumer would need to very carefully ask the right questions and hope to discover the traps before buying.

Digging into the fine print often brings up expressions like:
"The warranty only applies . . . ."
"Valid with the activation of . . ."
"We reserve the right to . . ."
"Assumes no responsibility . . ."
"Terms are for the first six months . . ."

On the back of a credit statement the only clear text was: "IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT".

There can be much that they do not want you to know, some of which could be disappointing or costly. Fine print can be profitable to them.

When we get stung with inferior purchases or unexpected costs we simply lick our wounds, and do not complain. And because we do not complain fine print is common in business today and will likely be for some time.

Perhaps the internet will provide some solutions and make consumer awareness and involvement popular in this and other areas of business. Perhaps government will get more concerned. However if the marketing for their gambling revenue uses fine print - what would you really expect?

“To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.” - Confucius


Grampa Ken ~ Author of 32 KEYS About Life and Blogger at Social-Fix

This Creative Commons article is free to copy provided that the above hyperlinked byline is intact.
Articles written by others are their copyrights and belong to them.

As a kid I couldn't finish supper quickly enough so I could go outdoors to play. Softball in the vacant lot, street hockey, sledding, exploring the neighborhood with the other kids that were always out there. There were an endless number of things to do and we seemed never to be bored. And it was all healthy.

We were lucky - we didn't have TV or video games!

Since then I have watched my share of TV but recently much less while wearing out the MUTE button. As a senior I have become much more selective in what I watch. With my PC, bicycle, and my family close by, there are good things to do.

But what about kids stuck at home, in the house?

In Green Living Ideas Reenita Malhotra Hora provides insight and suggestions in an interesting article:

Eco Kids, the Sustainable Generation

As you integrate green living choices into your own life, you might be wondering how kids fit into the equation. What does it really mean to have a "green kid?" Greening your children is about going beyond the things that you do to create a green lifestyle for your family—it is really all about education. Today’s kids will soon rule tomorrow’s world. The best that we can possibly do to prepare the next generations is to consistently teach them about the green living values that are critical for their own survival. After all, they do share a common future with our planet.

It goes on to list tips on

Outdoor Education with green kid activity ideas.
Travel Time and exploring nature ideas.
Green at Play - giving kids some positive directional suggestions.
Green Media Toolbox - make less use but good use out of TV.

"Today’s kids will soon rule tomorrow’s world. The best that we can possibly do to prepare the next generations is to consistently teach them about the green living values that are critical for their own survival."

Above all, have your kids do as you would do yourself. The truth is kids learn more from there their parents than anyone or anything else—if living green is important to you, then rest assured they too will pick up the habit. You are without doubt the most important person in their life, and chances are they will want to do what you do. Remember though, you won’t have them for a very long, so while you do—teach your children well!

more . . . .

Like many others I've become very concerned about the safety of the food that I have been eating. Reading a long list of unfamiliar chemicals on a food package is worrisome. And that great tasting lunch had me drinking a gallon of water later.

There is also much concern about farm products, with the use of growth enhancements and pesticides raising awareness these days.

Pesticides in particular scare me. While it could be argued that a certain pesticide is unharmful when used in the prescribed amounts, what are the possibilities that it is used excessively to increase revenue? Or that it is used combined with other pesticides that have similar side effects?

Food News from the Environmental Working Group asks

Why Should You Care About Pesticides?

There is growing consensus in the scientific community that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can adversely affect people, especially during vulnerable periods of fetal development and childhood when exposures can have long lasting effects. Because the toxic effects of pesticides are worrisome, not well understood, or in some cases completely unstudied, shoppers are wise to minimize exposure to pesticides whenever possible.

The produce ranking was developed by analysts at the not-for-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) based on the results of nearly 43,000 tests for pesticides on produce collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration between 2000 and 2005. A detailed description of the criteria used in developing the rankings is available as well as a full list of fresh fruits and vegetables that have been tested.

Read more . . . and check out the full list of 43 Fruits & Veggies from Onions and Avocados to Apples and Peaches.

EWG is a not-for-profit environmental research organization dedicated to improving public health and protecting the environment by reducing pollution in air, water and food.

Five Ways to Help Teenagers Beat Peer Influence
by Michael Grose

Young people generally want to fit in to their various social groups so peer approval is a significant driver for their behaviour. For a young person resisting peer influence can mean isolation or instant ostracising so it sometimes takes great strength of will to refuse to follow the crowd.

It is important for parents to understand the value of peer groups for young people and also remember that peers can be positive influences. While the increased influence of peers is a normal part of a young person's development they can sometimes use some help to resist the pressure to conform that is placed on them.

The following ideas may assist you to help young people resist unwanted peer pressure:

1.Talk about peer influence with young people. Be open and frank about the subject. Let them know that while much of the influence of their friends is positive, some is not in their best interests.

2. Teach young people how to say no - and still save face and status among their friends. Allow them to blame you for not letting them do something they don't feel comfortable with but can't admit to.

3. Encourage them to think through the consequences of their decisions. The adult brain doesn't kick in until around 24 or 25 years of age and the last connections are formed are those that help the reasoning process. So young people need help thinking through the outcomes of their choices. When young people are put on the spot they should think about the risk factors involved and err on the side of caution. Encourage them to think "Is this behaviour smart? Is it in my best interests?"

4.Avoid making your young person reliant on the approval of others, including you, as the basis of their self-esteem. Allow them to feel comfortable holding opinions and views that are different to yours.

5. Avoid criticising your teenager's friends, as he or she may take it personally. Discuss your concerns and talk about behaviours rather than personalities when you discuss their choice of friends. Criticise their friends and you run the risk that they will listen more to their friends than you, particularly if they are at a challenging stage of their development.

Michael Grose is The Parent Coach. For seventeen years he has been helping parents deal with the rigours of raising kids and survive!! For information about Michael's Parent Coaching programs or just some fine advice and ideas to help you raise confident kids and resilient teenagers visit Parenting Ideas.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

When searching the internet for news and article material on life and society I come across some pages that I find interesting, and enjoyable to read. These family and social oriented websites are relegated to my Social Fix Resources or Blogs Grampa Likes listings (in the sidebar of this page).

One such family oriented blog is The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly guide to Earth-Friendly living. This site has information on how to save time, save money, and save the planet (all while saving your sanity!).

A blog, it's worth checking out if you are looking for green news and tips on the environment, food, home, health, money, and other family topics.

Some typical articles:

Are There Drugs In Your Drinking Water?
Is It Green Or Green-Washed?
Are There Carbon Footprints All Over Your House?

Breathe Easier and Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
It’s winter and my house is sealed up tighter than a drum to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. That’s good green parenting, right…or is it? By keeping my family safe and snug inside my modern American home, I may be exposing them to high levels of indoor air pollution. After all, most people spend 80-90% of their time indoors. And while the numbers vary from country to country and state to state, The California Air Resources Board estimates that average indoor air pollutant levels in that state are 25-62% greater than outside levels. These numbers can add up to serious health problems for you and your kids. . .

Help Kids Make Friends With The Earth
There are few places that are as frightening to me as the children's toy aisle in my local "big box" store. Each shelf seems to overflow with toys that are constructed of cheap plastic, lead paint, and other toxins that have yet to be identified. And each toy glitters, rumbles, or sparkles in an attempt to entice children to beg for the latest princess, super-hero, or large purple dinosaur. . .

You can read these articles and more at the The Green Parent.

Why have we been buying big comfy cars with too many options?
Causing all those environmental woes?

Consumers want these rich cars for the same reason they want big new houses and kool short-term fads.

Corporate marketing and branding!

Commercials often sensationalize a car model by showing it driven at extremely high speeds on highways, mountain roads, city streets and even in parking lots. They are sending the wrong message. Speed can look exciting but speed is costly and speed kills. But those exciting commercials apparently sell cars.

Automobile commercials are amongst the noisiest on TV and can interfere with the family conversation if they are not muted. But the invasive clamor attracts attention and the results are increased sales.

Advertisements often exaggerate the product and underestimate the cost to lure and snare buyers.

The marketing pressures to sell more expensive autos will not let up even though they may become more fuel efficient. Other perky features will be promoted and become standard in newer models to keep prices rising over the coming years.

Cars have played a major role in our current social makeup and are owned by most families. That they are important and useful is undisputable, however too much of the overall product is undesirable for society as a whole. They are a major polluter of our cities and the world, exacerbated by their larger than needed size and power.

Around 1960 I was out to purchase my first new car. Having a long drive on weekends, I had set my mind on a particular smaller car to economize. There were only a few sub-compacts available and they were not that small. In a dealer's showroom I was intent on completing a deal but I was continually steered to other larger models. It took awhile until I realized that he would not sell me the smaller car! The salesman and I both became irritated and I left.

Slow Forward 48 years >> A while ago I walked through a new car show in the local mall. All were higher priced and mostly larger in size, even as interest in pollution and the environment was spreading.

On TV during the previous oil crisis a spokesperson from the Automobile Association was defending why they aren't marketing more smaller cars. "People couldn't just sell their cars and buy smaller ones." The TV commercial which immediately followed the newsbyte was for a flashy full size SUV.

Consumers buy these cars because the manufacturers want them to. But this necessary means of transportation needs a review of its design, effects, marketing, and use. The average person does not need that luxuious model when spending only a few hours a week in the car. Nor does the car require fast speed and polluting power to drive at the speed limit.

The car needs to take a less negative and a healthier place in our society.

What the heck! Are corporations major shareholders in government??

"We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive." - Albert Einstein


Grampa Ken ~ Author of 32 KEYS About Life and Blogger at Social-Fix

This Creative Commons article is free to copy provided that the above hyperlinked byline is intact.
Articles written by others are their copyrights and belong to them.

A lot of the problems consumers have with recycling is the lack of readily available detailed information. This is particular with the various types of plastic. "Where do I recycle these containers, fasteners, cellophane, packing, bags etc?"

Information is out there but often you may need to spend some time trying to find it. Many will avoid this inconvenience and recycle the item improperly or simply chuck it into the garbage. This is not how it should be.

Considering that all the junk we take into our possession has arrived because of information that is constantly blasted at us, it's not a level playing field. We should be receiving a steady stream of pertinent, persuasive how-to information about recycling. And the marketing of products that have a negative affect on our lives and the world should be reduced and controlled.

I just assembled a cabinet purchased at Ikea and was happy to see that the little plastic bags containing hardware had recycling numbers printed on them. It's absolutely necessary that all used consumer plastics have a destination and that we are kept totally informed on disposing of them wisely. Detailed lists should be available and distributed locally.

Some useful information on recycling plastic:
Consumers can find out which plastics are accepted in their local area and how to recycle, prepare and transfer them by contacting their local recycling hauler (usually the local city or county solid waste or public works department, or a private company). Generally, paper labels do not need to be removed from plastic bottles or containers, but lids should be thrown away because they typically are made from a type of plastic that is not recyclable. Plastic bottles and containers must be rinsed, squashed, and placed in recycle bins for collection. Plastic grocery bags are often accepted by stores in recycling containers placed near the entranceways.

Plastic Identification Codes

Plastic Identification Code	Type of plastic polymer	Properties	Common Packaging Applications
	Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE)	Clarity, strength, toughness, barrier to gas and moisture.	Soft drink, water and salad dressing bottles; peanut butter and jam jars
	High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)	Stiffness, strength, toughness, resistance to moisture, permeability to gas.	Milk, juice and water bottles; yogurt and margarine tubs; trash and retail bags.
	Polyvinyl Chloride (V)	Versatility, clarity, ease of blending, strength, toughness.	Juice bottles; cling films
	Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)	Ease of processing, strength, toughness, flexibility, ease of sealing, barrier to moisture.	Frozen food bags; squeezable bottles, e.g. honey, mustard; cling films; flexible container lids.
	Polypropylene (PP)	Strength, toughness, resistance to heat, chemicals, grease and oil, versatile, barrier to moisture.	Reusable microwaveable ware; kitchenware; yogurt containers; margarine tubs; microwaveable disposable take-away containers; disposable cups and plates.
	Polystyrene (PS)	Versatility, clarity, easily formed	Egg cartons; disposable cups, plates, trays and cutlery; disposable take-away containers; yogurt and margarine containers
	Other	Dependent on polymers or combination or polymers.	Beverage bottles; baby milk bottles.

Read more on Plastic Recycling at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

You just don't know what you're getting til you got it.

Many consumers have something to complain about these days. The product or service purchased might be less than expected or totally unacceptable. Perhaps we were mislead by an enticing advertisement or slick talk. It's upsetting and we want to complain.

In earlier years we could talk to a manager or customer relations person and get a satisfying result for our efforts. This is still worthwhile in a lot of cases but can also be frustrating and a great waste of time. For one thing the customer relations person may not exist, perhaps because dissatisfaction is too widespread in this present day retail-consumer environment.

If we think that a retail outlet is marketing or selling unfairly and it appears to be a local problem, a complaint can be made to the manager. However if it is such as an obvious deceptive advertisement or display the effort may not be worthwhile. After all, if it was planned that way why wouldn't they defend their actions? If it is a larger corporate concern the same rationale might apply.

My experience in writing complaints, about scammy marketing mostly, did not achieve much except to get it off my chest. I did observe that by addressing the letter to someone high in the organization, it could always be delegated downward. Also referring to the word 'ethical' seems to gather quick attention and I have even received a rebuttal from a corporate CEO. Still the fluffy replies will usually be empty and discouraging.

"... the advertisement you refer to meets all legal requirements."
" ... subject to the ethical standards generally accepted by the industry."
" ... our intent has never been to mislead and I believe our practices will bear me out."
" ... the new TV program listing channel is an industry accepted format."

Finding a corporate address and contact may not be easy. An internet search or asking at the local outlet might find a person and place to write to. Related business or advertising associations are there to represent their business clients and this may not be very satisfying either.

If a complaint is about a deliberate attempt by a company to deceive or cheat consumers, writing to a government agency or consumer's group is more appropriate. Again, not easy. There is not a clear direction and process in submitting concerns and complaints to someone who will act adequately. Letters to the editor can be good because they should be easy to get published and may get read by interested people.

There is growing widespread callous treatment of consumers by corporations and a general disregard by government on its citizens' behalf. One has to wonder just where we are and where we are headed. The root of the problem lies in the greed of business and ineffective or biased government. To arrest and reverse this deteriorating social trend to a more people friendly society is difficult. It will require changing the apathy of consuming citizens, the quality of politicians and the ethics of business people.

Excessive and deceptive advertising should be outlawed as a start for social betterment.

If we don't complain verbally, online, by letter or by email, things will only get worse. Let's tell the politicians to make it easier for taxpayers to protest unethical marketing, and governing. They can set up the proper consumer channels and publicize and encourage participation from the citizens.

Some helpful consumer resources


Grampa Ken ~ Author of 32 KEYS About Life and Blogger at Social-Fix

This Creative Commons article is free to copy provided that the above hyperlinked byline is intact.
Articles written by others are their copyrights and belong to them.

A while back I purchased a pumpkin pie from a local supermarket. When I unpackaged it at home I read the label and was quite amazed.

"Contains mince etc . . . . natural and artificial flavors, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, potassium sorbate (preservative), carame (color),cellulose gum, mono and diglycerides,sodium citrate, palmitate, sulfur dioxide (preservative), mononitrate, propionate (preservative)." (It's no surprise that those words do not clear my spell-checker.) These were Christmas pies and it was late November. They were solidly constructed perhaps to last through Christmas.

Since then I have been reading the ingredients listed on all food packages to get some idea of what I might be eating. It's scary when I consider the content of some food products I have eaten for many years. But better late than never and I now avoid products with ingredients having unfamiliar names or contents that I consider unhealthy. Even familiar names like citrates and calcium propionate have me concerned even though they are commonly used. Why are they there?

Why does a loaf of bread, baked in-store, contain added chemicals?

Basically additives are there to increase profit by extending the shelf life or enhancing flavor. But which of those strange ingredients in food packages are somewhat unhealthy or perhaps harmful? If not in small amounts perhaps grouped with other products containing the same chemicals and accumulated over time?

Sue Dengate's The Food Intolerance Network site contains comprehensive information on a wide range of additives. There is independent information about the effects of food on behaviour, health and learning ability in both children and adults. Sue is a psychology graduate and author of the bestselling Fed Up series, published by Random House Australia.


Grampa Ken ~ Author of 32 KEYS About Life and Blogger at Social-Fix

Why do some governments actively promote gambling as a source of revenue when it is known to be so harmful to so many of its people? It is common knowledge that gambling can be addictive and destroy or take lives, yet they still want that revenue. For its citizens? When they report the income from lotteries or casinos they should balance the books with the loss to players, their citizens.

Through their marketers they use sly tactics to entice more playing. Glossy lottery commercials constantly pop up showing just how wonderful it will be to win an enormous amount of money. "Play now and get super rich". Perhaps broken gamblers would like to get back the money they lost but the odds are stacked against them. They need help not encouragement to try again!

As if to justify this greedy and often cruel business they post warnings: A short quick justifying blip might complete an ad or commercial: "Know your limit. Play within it." But play to win! They even warn: "Gambling can lead to financial and legal problems, loss of career and family, and other serious issues." No kidding! Well cease and desist! And "Call this help line if you have a gambling problem". It's too late I have lost everything!

I'm having a very difficult time understanding this. Government is supposed to be there for the people. If these actions are acceptable isn't it remotely possible that our politicians could introduce the pressure selling of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. But, "Know your limit. Drink, smoke and snort within it."

Gambling might have a place in society for people who want to gamble but it should not be marketed. Ideally any gambling should be non-profit with the participants playing with and winning or losing money to each other.

The Canada Safety Council's Canadian Roulette has information on gambling's effect including bankruptcy, family breakup, and suicides.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke


Grampa Ken ~ Author of 32 KEYS About Life and Blogger at Social-Fix

This Creative Commons article is free to copy provided that the above hyperlinked byline is intact.
Articles written by others are their copyrights and belong to them.