Getting greener with your money
When spending money as a consumer, we often agonise as to what businesses we should support, and those to avoid. However, not many of us think about what companies we are unwittingly supporting through our savings and investments. Even our mortgages or insurance policies can have a carbon footprint.
A bit like switching energy providers; switching your bank, ISAs or pension pots could make a huge difference by allocating money to companies making positive changes… and this doesn’t have to be detrimental to your returns!
Where does your money go?
A lot of us are ‘unwitting investors’, not realising we effectively own stocks and shares through our pension schemes. Or, that our cash in the bank may be being used to fund dubious causes.
All this adds up to trillions of pounds that we are all accountable for investing in causes or funds we might otherwise not choose for the benefit of the planet or to fight climate change.
Ethically investing your money
We’re about to share some links that we have found useful. These should not be seen as advice and decisions will be dependent on your circumstances. If in any doubt, you should consider taking advice from an independent financial advisor.
Jargon
There’s lots of jargon in investment. Boring Money has a useful article explaining some of the terminology.
Getting to grip with the choices
If you’re new to thinking about green choices with your banking, insurance and investment, Good With Money has a landing page covering different types of investments you may be making with suppliers to consider, for example ethical travel insurers or bank accounts.
Pensions
Love Money has a well balanced article, looking at concepts, terminology, providers and how to switch your pension.
Personal investment and ISAs
This is Money looks at the concept of ethical ISAs and how to find the right one. The article also covers a reasonable spread of options to look at.
iNews features a more mainstream journalistic article explaining why and what you can invest in to fight climate change, with some options to consider.
Boring Money writes a simple introduction to the concepts and definitions, along with lists of potential options for your personal investments and savings.
Green banking
This is Money article explains what ‘green banking’ is and runs through some providers.
Statista asks is your bank ethical and ranks UK banks.
Moral Fibres has a thought provoking article about what your savings actually ‘do’ and then runs through options.
Ethically money saving
It may seem counterintuitive to believe that living a greener and cleaner life is cost efficient, but it is!
Greener and Cleaner have produced a fab leaflet for you to see ways you can save money too.
8 ways you save money by living greener and cleaner
1. Living a less consumer-driven lifestyle
Buy only what you need, when you need it, and ideally second-hand. This stops you from spending money you don’t need to spend. Cutting down on unnecessary “stuff” as gifts and instead giving meaningful time or activity-based gifts is often cheaper (and as a bonus brings extra joy).
2. Switching to a green energy provider
Monitoring energy usage, being mindful of how many switches and lights are on and using extra layers rather than the heating when it’s chilly, all reduce the bills too.
3. Changing your food habits
Buying the food you need, when you need it, rather than doing large shops. Eating less meat, and buying unpackaged, local, high-quality products. This might mean paying more for individual items, but overall the amount you spend goes down as you only buy fresh filling food.
4. Learning to make and mend
Whether darning a holey sock, making your own cleaning materials, creating a natural facemask, or cooking from scratch saves us all money.
5. Changing your approach to holidays
Making use of staycations and cutting down on long flights can save significant funds if you travel regularly.
6. Cutting down car ownership
This can have a major impact on your finances if you’re not buying new cars, paying tax and MOTs on those cars or for petrol day to day. Walking, cycling and public transport are a much cheaper way to get around. And they’re healthier too!
7. Getting kids in on the act
Thinking about the planet first changes children’s expectations for new things, more things, and the latest things. Let’s not kid ourselves that they won’t want anything at all, but encouraging preloved and buying fewer items cuts costs significantly.
8. Composting and growing some of your own food
Cut your day-to-day expenses significantly, as well as replacing plastic-covered produce with much tastier alternatives.
One tip to be mindful of – don’t be tempted to just replace everything you have with eco-friendly alternatives. That creates a lot of unnecessary waste and can cost a lot. Instead, think about extending the life of what you have until it no longer serves its purpose, and then moving to a more eco-friendly alternative. Or sell on what you already have and don’t use, to make some money to pay for the things you do need.
Remember; reduce, reuse, recycle are key ideas.