7 Ways To Spend Money According To Your Values

If you’re concerned with the state of the economy, know that you’re not alone. It’s caused a lot of us to rethink the way we spend money. I’ve seen it with my clients, and felt it myself.

While I’m not one to lose my focus for too long when the economy dips and turns (and it does that a LOT), I do keep a pulse on my own feelings around money. I always try not to take in a lot of the negative or nervous energy that surrounds us, no matter what’s going on.

BUT, sometimes things happen that catch your attention.

Inflation is up. “Shrinkflation” is real. And the U.S. dollar’s value has dropped since 2024 and we are feeling it.

And the truth is that no matter what, nobody really knows what’s going to happen. But that doesn’t mean you have to get bogged down in fear and uncertainty! There are several practices that I like to do when things start to feel, well, overwhelming. 

The biggest one of all is voting with your dollars! So what does this mean?

Here’s the thing. In the end, CONSUMERS drive change. Each $1 that you spend is a vote.

Now, think about how much money you spent last year. Was it 20K, 20K, 100K? Each $1 is a vote. Just imagine what things would look like if even 100 people on my list shifted their spending toward what they truly value!

Now, you might be wondering how to spend money according to your values, and what that even means. Let’s talk about that!

Ethical spending — often summed up as “voting with your dollar” — means that every purchase you make sends a signal about the businesses, products, and values you want to support. And it ultimately creates the change you want to see in the world.

Here’s a simple way to think about “voting with your dollars.”

• Your money is a ballot. Every time you spend, you’re essentially casting a vote for a company’s practices, policies, and values.
• Demand drives supply. If enough people choose sustainable, fair, or socially responsible options, companies are incentivized to keep doing those things (or start doing them).
• It’s not just about buying — it’s also about not buying from businesses whose values or practices you oppose.

Are you ready to start spending in alignment with YOUR values? Here are 7 ways to make that happen!

Day 1: Write down your top 3 values when it comes to spending. This can be convenience, fair labor, sustainability, buying local, places that don’t do animal testing–whatever you want.

Day 2: Review your spending in the last 7 days and write down each of the companies or individuals and amounts on a sheet of paper.

Day 3: Look up what you can about each company/entity. This includes any mission statements, labor practices, locations, owners etc. Circle or note any purchases that don’t align with your values.

Day 4: Choose one item from the previous list. Then, research one alternative brand or business that does align with your values and shift your future spending.

Day 5: Reflect on what surprised you most this week or what may have shifted for you.

Day 6: Buy one thing from a local store that you’d normally purchase online by a big box store.

Day 7: Invite a friend to do this challenge!

There you have it! 7 easy ways to spend money according to your values, and start creating positive change not only with your finances, but also in the world!

Give this a try, and let me know how it goes for you! Looking forward to hearing about how it feels to shift your spending, and what comes up for you.

Until Next Time,

Love, light, and MONEY, Honey…

Kaylee