Rubystars wrote:

> "MEow" > wrote in message
> <snip>
>
>>I'm not exactly rich, myself, either. I don't have money for much more
>>than rent, bills and food. I just try to consume as ethically as I
>>can, since I am a consumer anyway. However, I manage to avoid
>>supporting H&M by buying my clothes second hand. That's both ethical
>>and economical.
>
>
> Most of my clothes are from Wal Mart. *L*
>
>
>>Next month I plan to go looking for a new job, both because I've had
>>enough of my current job, but also because I want a full time job as
>>I'm tried of having to count the days till next pay-day.
>
>
> I'm looking for a job right now too. I graduated from community college
> almost two years ago (getting a two year Associate's degree), I want to go
> on to pursue a Biology degree, but I don't have the money right now. I've
> been searching for a job since then and haven't been able to find one! The
> economy is so bad! I'm intensifying my search though... I had a nightmare
> the other night about the future.. still at home with no money, and it
> terrified me.
>
> <snip>
>
>>True, and you've got to eat *something*, but it's hard to remember to
>>check if the coffee you're buying is fair trade (especially if the
>>money's tight), and that sort of things. I sometimes think that I
>>could, and should, do better in that area. But, how much difference
>>does my choice, as one consumer, do? It's too easy to feel powerless
>>and give up. Well, I'll keep trying.
>
>
> I don't think there's anything particularly wrong with buying coffee that
> isn't fair trade, though it's much better to do so.
>
>
>>But I confess: I'm Pavlov's dog; whenever I hear Coca-Cola's
>>commercial tune I get thirsty.
>
>
> I'm addicted to caffeine.

No, you aren't.

> If I don't drink soda every day I crave it really badly.

That's not the only thing that defines an addiction.

> It got to a point several months ago where I was drinking no water at
> all, just sodas. I realized that wasn't good for me, so I'm drinking a lot
> more water now.
>
>
>>However, I've found out that the trick
>>is to just quench my thirst with something else - both more ethical
>>and more economical: there's plenty of water in my tap. ;0) Cutting
>>down on the commercial soft drinks I drink has also caused my clothes
>>to sit a bit looser, but it's a tough habit to break.
>
>
> I'm almost always drink diet sodas now, and it has caused me to lose some
> weight, though I know the sweetener being used in it isn't really healthy
> either.
>
> -Rubystars
>
>