Think Before You Shop: True Confessions, Deal-seeking and more…

by Jonathan A. Scott, Director of Corporate Relations (updated and re-shared for #CyberMonday 2014) Our partners at We-Care.com just launched Sweeps4aCause.com to raise even more money for Clean Water Action and introduce more people to our online shopping app. Thousands of our supporters have raised nearly $1.5 million for Clean Water Action through their online purchases. Join us! Enter now to get started. Now, time for some True Confessions: OK, I admit it. I’m not a very good example of the kind of consumer some businesses would like to have these days. What about you?To begin with, I just don’t buy a lot of stuff. I think carefully and research compulsively before I buy. I don’t just look at the selling price. I’m also concerned about the products’ impact on people and the planet. Organic and Fair Trade certifications are important to me as indicators of how products I’m considering have been produced.

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I rarely frequent national chains or big box stores, preferring to give the business to smaller stores in my own community. I often end up buying from people I know. Still, a really good deal is hard to resist, and sometimes it just makes sense to buy stuff online. This time of year, especially, we shoppers are inundated with deals, coupons, offers all aimed at getting us to shop more and buy more. It can be very tempting to join in the frenzy. But, if I do, you won't find me standing in line for one of the much-promoted door-buster specials. Instead, I’ll stay home and take a look at what’s available online. Thanks to Clean Water Action’s successful partnership with We-Care.com, anything I choose to buy online at any of more than 2,600 participating merchants automatically generates a donation to Clean Water Action. Whenever I want, I have access to some of the best deals and coupons around, and that will include all kinds of “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” specials this year. In fact, through We-Care.com, I am able to get all kinds of specials and deals that will save me money and benefit Clean Water Action 24/7, year-round. So here is my advice to you, from one Clean Water Action member to another: 1. Sign up with our friends at We-Care.com That way, whenever you do shop and buy online (that includes everything from technology, travel, tax software, and holiday gifts to office supplies and much, much more), your purchases can generate donations for Clean Water Action. It doesn’t cost anything. It’s easy and fun. And you will find information on all kinds of deals from participating stores.

1. Wherever you shop, consider the environmental, economic and community impacts from your purchases. Sometimes the best choice may be to buy nothing at all.

2. Look for opportunities to “buy local” and certified Organic and Fair Trade products.

Ready to check out what our We-Care.com partners have to offer? SIGN UP

Create your account by visiting www.CleanWaterAction.We-Care.com/GetStarted

Your free account gives you access to thousands of stores where you can earn a donation, tons of deals and sales, and a dashboard where you can track what you’ve earned and where you’ve shopped! DOWNLOAD Download the We-Care.com app onto your browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome), and once installed, you will be notified anytime you visit a website where your purchase is eligible to earn a free donation.

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<-- Here's what you see while the We-Care app is active.  Whenever you visit a participating online store, the light blue "slider" drops down briefly to show you how much has been raised. Or it highlights special deals for Clean Water Action supporters. After a few seconds, it slides back up out of sight while you shop. SHOP Browse and shop the web as you normally would. When you visit a participating merchant’s site, the We-Care app will let you know that your purchase is eligible for a free donation. DONATE FOR FREE A percentage of what you spend at participating online merchants will be automatically returned to Clean Water Action as a donation, at no additional cost to you. Accept a BIG THANK YOU from Clean Water Action!