Five ways to green your finances By Nakia Bowling Editor Pay Your Bills Online Paying your bills on the Web will help cut down on paper and is quick and easy. Also, request that your bank and other businesses send you online statements. According to the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA), by switching to electronic bills and statements and making online payments, the average American household can conserve 6.6 pounds of paper annually. If you’d rather use checks, you can purchase those made from recycled paper. Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and other financial institutions offer the option to purchase eco-friendly checks. Buy a Scanner Scanning important documents onto your computer will cut down on paper and clutter, as well as help to keep you organized. Special scanners, such as the Neat Receipts model, www.neatreceipts.com, will allow you to scan and organize important receipts and bills that you may need to retain. Use Banks that Follow the Equator Principles Inquire whether or not your bank adheres to the Equator Principles, a set of environmental and social standards developed by the World Bank Group. Followed by banks and financial institutions, these principles encourage the financing of development projects that are socially and environmentally responsible. Patronize a Green Bank Green banking" describes any financial institution that has incorporated an eco-friendly outlook into its business model. Chase opened a green bank branch in Denver, and Wachovia has plans to open 300 green banking institutions by 2010 Invest in Green Companies Invest in your community and companies whose products and services are not detrimental to the environment or society. According to the Social Investment Forum (www.socialinvest.org), an association dedicated to advancing the practice and growth of socially and environmentally responsible investing, this form of investment comprises $2.3 trillion dollars in the U.S. alone.
Small businesses get a chance to shine on County’s On Demand Cont. from Pg. 1 Lights, Camera, Action
programming on the latest Board of County Commissioner Meeting, committee meeting, county TV shoes and now features on small businesses that have received funding from the Mom and Pop Small Business grant program. It is estimated that the county receives over 20,000 web visitors per day. The exposure that these small businesses can receive from web visitors are endless, according to Leroy Jones, Executive Director of Neighbors And Neighbors Association and the man responsible for the creation of the program. “This is a great opportunity for Mom and Pop businesses. People from all over the world who may be visiting the county’s website can learn about these businesses,” said Jones. “ This is a sure way to level the playing field. The business owners get free advertising and exposure. It’s a great thing.” The features are pretty in-depth. A county reporter goes out to the businesses and interviews them, captures them at work and gives a detailed explanation of what the business does. The entire segment is about 5 to 10 minutes long. If you would like to see one of the many businesses that have received a Mom and Pop grant, log on to www.miamidade.gov and click on the Watch It! On Demand link. Page 2
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