Sunday, February 8, 2009

Monday's Good Deed


More than one and a half year ago, I was introduced to the idea of retirement investment. Yes, I am still in graduate school and have yet landed on my first post-graduation job, but it is never too early to think ahead. I guess I am kind of a worrier and planner. So as I went further and did some research about investment (not necessarily only about retirement), a genre called "socially (and sometimes environmentally) responsible investing" caught my attention. It is essentially a type of investing where the investors are aware about the social and environmental consequences of their investment and deliberately attempt to make a positive impact on the society and environment through their conscious investing practices. I will devote one entry to further discuss socially responsible investing (SRI) later this week. Meanwhile, in my research on investment, I encountered a non-profit organization that dedicates a large part of their mission to socially responsible investing: Green America (formerly Coop America). They have tons of information on the website and periodicals regarding green living, green shopping, as well as socially responsible investing and banking. It did not take long for me to join the organization and start receiving useful publications at a regular basis. See it yourself and become an activist for a green life!

2 comments:

  1. Good to see your interest in green and socially responsible investing.

    I believe that when we invest in a company, or many companies in the case of a mutual fund, we share in the responsibility for the activities of those companies as well as participate in the outcomes of their corporate activities. So, anyone valuing their personal or spiritual growth has to take these things into account when investing.

    Also, if everyone invests according to their personal values, then, since so many of our core values are alike — and are supportive of higher ideals — that in the long run, only companies employing these higher values will truly prosper. And there is real evidence of this now.

    I advocate, teach, and write on the subject of personal values based investing -- and have a popular website that has unique information which might interest you. It includes the latest global socially responsible investing news and research. My site is at www.investingforthesoul.com

    Best wishes, Ron Robins

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  2. Hi Ron,

    Thanks for your response. I agree with you that if we are really committed in making this world a better place, we have to be mindful about everything that we do, including investing. SRI is becoming more popular nowadays and I will do my part to spread the words.

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