What is one of the most powerful ways you can fight global warming?  By shopping.  No, this isn't the beginning of a cliche-filled Carrie column, but a brief examination of how changing and improving small habits can have a big effect.

It's sometimes hard to keep up with eco-friendly, social responsible shopping for financial and availability reasons.  I could list numerous green companies that I like to patronize but sometimes just don't have the financial means to.  However, despite the challenges, we should be thinking about long term consequences every time we pull out our Amex (especially us women, as the book Big Green Purse points out, we have a lot more power than we even realize as, statistically, women spend so much more of the shopping dollar - they also have a great website for responsible online purchasing www.BigGreenPurse.com).

A very simple way you can use the power of your purse for good is Method products.  Per their mission, they look at the world "through bright green colored glasses" and do so in a

 way that won't prevent from that Moo Shoes shopping spree you've been saving up for.  Not only are they green and cheap, but they work great!  And you can find them at many local retailers, including Target.  I'm personally a big fan of the pink grapefruit line.  Their refillable products use far less packaging than just about anything else out there and their website just makes you want to smile, just like using their products will.  You can get their "detox" cleaning kit, which includes 7 cleaning products covering everything from dishes to hardwood floors to bath tubs for $28 online!  And don't you just want to clean more when you have new fun products with which to clean?  

www.methodhome.com