With all the concern about keeping (or getting) the planet healthy and our impact as humans on this earth, I think it’s time that we address another issue facing humanity. Our Shopping Footprint.

Not everyone is aware that we have a Shopping (carbon) Footprint – but we do! And we as consumers should be aware how our shopping habits affect Capitalism. And since Capitalism is one of the benefits of being alive in the 21^st Century (it’s right up there with Airline Travel and Chocolate Truffles), we need to make sure that the Shopping Footprint we make reflects who we are. I mean, if you’re a size 6 narrow, you’re not going to want to come across as a size 27 Neanderthal. Right? Right.

I know, I know, you’re wondering how you can reduce your shopping footprint. It’s easier than you think, and you don’t even have to alter how much or how little you spend each month. After all, that’s up to you, your bank balance and your creditors.

Just follow any or all of the tips below and you’ll be doing your part to Keep Capitalism alive for generations to come. And you might even make some retail workers very happy. And isn’t that what we’re all about as homo sapiens?

1. When you take the item off the shelf, pull the item behind it forward to take its place. This not only leaves the shelf looking tidy, but that way it looks like you weren’t even there.
2. If you change your mind, put the item back where it belongs, not at a random spot anywhere in the store. This not only keeps the shelf looking tidy, but walking back through the store to the correct aisle is healthy for you. In fact, for a easy workout, change your mind for half an hour through any large, box type store like Walmart, Target, Costco or Sam’s Club.
3. Shop online. This isn’t leaving any footprint at all, in any way, since you’re sitting down.
4. Check out resale shops. The secondary market needs your money, too!
5. Speaking of money – use cash. Each time you don’t use your debit or credit card, you’ve saved several cents worth of electricity. Plus the government or the store won’t be able to track your spending habits to hold against you in the unlikely but not improbably event martial law is ever implemented. I mean, it probably won’t be, that would be crazy. Right?
6. Reuse items you already have. For example, empty tissue boxes can be used to store other things, like those plastic bags, which can be reused as trash bags or to take out used kitty litter. This not only reduces your shopping footprint but it also gives you a carbon credit too! It’s a win win win! (You, the planet and capitalism! Yay, you!)