Giving Back

[bitspike]

I've been a student for many, many years.  Though I've been entitled to concessions from the government, and managed to score myself a well paying one-day-per-week job, I've learned to live simply and not spend my money on crap.  Early on I had a lot of trouble not going over budget on food even though I was buying the cheapest vegan food available

Comments

[socraticomatic]

I detect an edit has taken place at the end of the first paragraph! Whassa matter, can't stand by your position?! XD

I want to use http://www.kiva.org - you "invest" money with people in developing countries, they use it in their small businesses, and slowly pay back the loan (and then you can re-invest it again! or theoretically, get it back). And you could choose something vegan-friendly, like something to do with growing crops, or education, or health care.

Or, if you wanted to avoid admin costs with a local organisation - what about using your co-op contacts to buy tinned vegetables, bulk grains/beans etc. at a low price from the co-op, then donating it to a local organisation (Food Not Bombs; somewhere that helps recent immigrants; somewhere that helps struggling single mums...)

In terms of animal organisations, I'd probably choose Voiceless, they seem awesome.

I keep meaning to get around to switching all my super into one ethical investment super account (Aust Ethical, or BT...) but ehh I think I'm required to see an actual financial planner rather than do it myself, and I haven't got around to it yet. There's an article on ethical investment at http://www.choice.com.au that's somewhat helpful - it tells you which ones aren't so ethical (eg., willing to invest in tobacco and gaming).

[liadlaith]

I detect an edit has taken place at the end of the first paragraph! Whassa matter, can't stand by your position?! XD

Not when he's being pummelled ; )

I didn't know AEI did super as well! That's awesome, I totally want to do that.

[socraticomatic]

This chart is great: Choice: Ethical investing comparison table.

(Though it's now over a year old, so it'd be best do double check what they do & don't invest in.)

[bitspike]

The edit was demanded =)

I found the article on the Choice site. *bookmarks it* I'll take a closer look when Cassie and I invest somewhere soon.

I really like the idea behind Kiva and will seriously consider it. I heard about it or something similar a while ago, but completely forgot. My only concern is having to actually choose who to lend to. How do I decide?!

Voiceless and Animals Australia (loved their recent radio campaign!) are a few local organisations I've thought of already. I think they're great options, too.

Also, using my co-op connections to buy cheap food is a good idea. I'll have to look into what I can do with it though. I was going to donate left over vegetables at the end of each week to the local Food Not Bombs, but I then stopped working the late shift and couldn't do the transport =/

So many ideas. I wonder how many places I can support at once!

Really, thanks for the suggestions.

[liadlaith]

What happens to the left-over food as it is?

[bitspike]

It gets distributed to whoever is around if they can carry it home. It's usually very little (what's in the 'swap box'). Officially, it's supposed to go to 'needy students or other organisations', but it depends on who closes on Thursday and what they feel up to organising.

In my whole year there, I haven't heard of anything actually being done with it. Perhaps it's time for me to organise something myself!

[liadlaith]

Hells yes! Go Pandrew! Fight the power!

[rot_ko]

kiva! kiva!

we "third world people utterly confused by the spelling thing" will really appreciate it. no, really. those who could donate here just don't, and those who would donate usually can't afford to, so....