5 Ways Moms Can Impact Their World From Their Home Computer

Sometimes moms, especially those of young children, feel isolated from the world, and feel they don't have much to offer. I want to suggest five ways that moms can positively impact their world from their home computer.

1. Invest in SRI funds.

SRI stands for Socially Responsible Investing. There are a plethera of mutual funds that have been designed using social or values-based criteria, investing only in companies that meet the criteria setup by the fund. For example, there are mutual funds that invest only in companies that pay above-average wages, or that donate x amount of their profits back to their local community. There are mutual funds that do not include any companies that sell cigarettes or alcohol. The criteria can be different for each mutual fund, so select carefully.

If you have a 401k through your employer, you may be able to select the funds that your invest in. Or you could setup a Roth IRA for your retirement, selecting only SRI funds. The options are endless, and you are definately impacting your world. When money talks, people listen!

For more information, visit:
http://www.socialfunds.com/
http://www.fool.com/Specials/2001/sp010329.htm

2. Buy Fair Trade gifts.

A company that has been certified Fair Trade is a company that pays its employees livable wages, has acceptable working conditions, and gives back to the local community. What a difference these companies make for its workers, especially in third world countries! Most products are hand-made, and are excellent gifts because of the uniqueness and quality craftmanship of the item. An excellent online shopping site is: http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/catalog/shop.php

For more information about Fair Trade certification, visit:
http://www.ifat.org/

3. Donate online.

Many organizations accept online donations. You may donate to alleviate hunger, help natural disaster victims and victims of war. Your church denomination may accept donations online for local causes or worldwide missions. Just make sure you are familiar with the organization and that it has been proven to spend its money wisely.

4. Send a thank you email to someone who is serving others.

Those who help others are not often thanked. They are criticized, over-worked, and under-paid, but not often thanked. Why not send an email to your local firemen, your pastor, the missionary your church supports, or your elected officials? To find the email addresses, visit your city's web site, your church denomination's web site, or http://www.firstgov.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml for elected officials. They be shocked to receive an email that isn't critical! And you'll have given them a boost of energy to keep serving.

5. Be informed about your political leaders so you can make wise choices at the polls.

One of the best ways to serve your country is to vote wisely. Know who you are voting for, what they stand for, and if they follow their words with action. The internet is filled with information regarding our elected officials. Just be sure that you examine the motives of the web site you are gathering the information from before trusting it.

A good source is the official Congressional Record: http://www.senate.gov/


Alright mom, you've now been empowered to impact your world. You can do it right now! Impact your world!