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Real stock symbols and their companies: FUN (Cedar Fair amusement parks), OUCH (Occupational Urgent Care medical services), RIP (Pauze Tombstone funeral services), TUXX (Al's Formal Wear), and YUMY (Tofruzen tofu ice cream).

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home ›   tip library ›   Stimulus Package

Got stimulus package money to burn?

The Bite

Uncle Sam wants YOU...to spend, spend, spend. As the Biter patriot you are, consider blowing that $300-$1,200 wad on an eco-investment to stimulate the green economy for years to come.

The Benefits

  • Investing in a greener future. Add to the $2.3 trillion already invested in socially responsible businesses - money that helps the green marketplace grow.
  • Raking it in. Between 2000-2005, the value of the Global 100 most sustainable companies outperformed a common benchmark (the MSCI World Index) by 80%.

Personally Speaking

A few of us are reinvesting our stim package money into our own bank accounts after we were hit by big taxes in April.

Wanna Try?

$1,200
  • Community Investing Center - put money into a low-risk bank account (insured at $100,000 per depositor like traditional banks) that provides loans to underserved borrowers. Measure your potential impact here.

$600

  • Blue Marble - socially responsible investment firm helps you green your portfolio; low account minimums (starting at $100 plus $100 per month).

$300

  • MicroPlace - makes it easy for you to give small loans (even just $100) to entrepreneurs in developing countries; you make a low-risk return of 2%-3%.

 

May 09,2008


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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.


Get Your Hillary Clinton: Just 7 Cents

Wanna invest in the political future of our country? The Iowa Electronic Market lets you do just that.

The idea behind the futures market, which is run by the University of Iowa's economics school, is that economics can predict political outcomes. Example: It correctly forecast George W. Bush's 2004 win over John Kerry. 

Snap up some shares of Democratic dropout John Edwards for a paltry $0.002 today, and if a miracle happens, you could walk away with a few hundred bucks.

-Toshio...off to predict the near-future: a weekend of boozing at the Andersen Valley Boontville Brewfest...


Biter Comments...
Come on! Why does everyone rate every tip as a 5, unless it really stinks? Are you really going to go out and spend your incentive rebate on green initiatives? And why does the link to Global 100 take you to a site to buy champagne for $70 plus $15 shipping? I think you should realize that not everyone who reads your column can afford such luxuries! I know I can't afford to pay for "sustainable" clothing or most of the other recommended purchases. How about more suggestions on how we can help the environment WITHOUT buying something to do so?

Posted by: Sharon | May 09, 2008 at 08:14 AM

Let's make a statement with our economic stimulus package. Invest in something meaningful--Healthcare. Don't know how to spend your money? Start a health saving account if you don't already have one and deposit it there. It is the most socially just way to provide for your own health care future.

Posted by: Christian Rusby | May 09, 2008 at 09:34 AM

I've already invested my stim check in green energy. Sharon: investing is not spending. Sure, I'm playing the market a little, but my return should be more than I put in. These stim checks are a terrible idea to begin with, but since we are given it without any say in the matter, we might as well put it toward something good. Our current administration doesn't care enough about the environment, so the best thing to do is to spend or invest that money in a pro-environmental program. (Micro-loans are also a fantastic idea, as listed in the tip.)

Posted by: Colette | May 09, 2008 at 09:42 AM

I'm saving my stim check. Personal savings among Americans is at an all-time low, and this will haunt us down the road. I care about the planet, but this time I decided I need to sustain my family...I also donated some to an organization doing relief work in Myanmar.

Posted by: PattiG | May 09, 2008 at 09:49 AM

Thanks for the reminder, Colette. My micro loans go through Kiva. Personally, I'm going to use the check to "green" my backyard with trees, plants, flowers, etc. then save the rest.

Posted by: Sharon | May 09, 2008 at 10:04 AM

Spending the money on a new energy efficient Frig and Freezer!!

Posted by: Kristin | May 09, 2008 at 10:10 AM

Number 7 plastic is "other". Along with polycarbonate, there is also a corn-based biodegradable bottle stamped as number 7 as well as other types of plastics. So not all number 7 bottles are bad. Refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resin_identification_code

Posted by: Ellen | May 09, 2008 at 05:23 PM

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