Comments on: Socially Responsible Investment and an Improving Market

By: ConsciouslyFrugal

ConsciouslyFrugal — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:35:43 +0000

Woohooo!! Thanks!
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By: Betty Kincaid

Betty Kincaid — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:45:02 +0000

I’m with Monevator on this.

Social investing sounds good in theory but in practice you’ll always be leaving money on the table.

Am I the only one who found Ann’s message confusing? She said we have to get over the mindset that money is evil. Yet the concept of social investing to look for companies that are out to make a difference not just a buck.

Also, how do TIPs relate to social investing? One could argue that the government is the least socially conscious entity out there.

When it comes to investing, I’m a pragmatist. Make the highest return for the least risk. Create wealth and then use that wealth to change the world. After all, the only actions you can ever control are your own.

By: Wojciech Kulicki

Wojciech Kulicki — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:25:14 +0000

Happy to report that a winner has been selected!

Random.org picked comment #2, which is Aldra from Consciously Frugal. Congratulations!

Thanks to everyone who entered, and good luck on the next giveaway!

By: Monevator

Monevator — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:20:59 +0000

The trouble with socially responsible investing is it forces you to take a view and into positions that are at odds with your other criteria.

If you’re not an investor this may sound great, but if you are you’ll know what I mean.

Say you want to invest in stocks. It’s very likely this path will push you into small cap, niche players, which are much riskier than the traditional Dow companies or index funds people usually feel safe in.

Such investments may do well or badly, but to be honest a portfolio of them is likely to follow more how their sector of the market does than their particular green area of investment.

Also, today’s evil is tomorrow’s good (the Internet was a military networking project originally, remember!)

I understand the motivation, don’t get me wrong! Just offering the other side.

By: carollee kidd

carollee kidd — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:39:17 +0000

I find that Ann has a way of telling us the story in a way that even those of us who may not understand it otherwise – GET IT. I look forward to reading her book, moreso if I win it. Thanks for the opportunity.

By: Forest

Forest — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:06:43 +0000

I don’t invest yet but when i am in a position to do so it will definitely be socially responsible…. I will be very interested in reading the book(s) when that time comes.
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By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:30:08 +0000

Socially responsible investing is an interesting concept, and something that I fully support as a part of a complete plan of value investing for an individual’s life. By value investing, I’m talking about taking actions, financially or otherwise, that connect your values to (in the the case of finances) saving/investing, but I would caution that socially responsible investing needs to go beyond buying mutual funds in a company whose ideology we support to making clear choices about how we live our lives. For example, the company you work for and the job you hold is as much a reflection of your current level of socially responsible investing as your stock portfolio. You are simply investing your time. What you are hoping to gain is some form of success in the social justice realm for the organization and for society at large. If you are working at a non-profit, then you are also investing a large chunk of future earnings that you could have earned at a company that is less than ‘socially responsible’.

My point in saying this is that while, yes, the Bible does say get out debt and stay out of debt, it also talks about investment in terms of your time, talents AND treasures. Socially responsible investing, then, is more a lifestyle choice than a wallet choice.

By: BRB

BRB — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:48:03 +0000

This is the type of investment advice I’ve been looking for. I don’t want to invest in just anything, especially if I don’t believe in what they are making or how they are conducting business. I’m going to get a copy for my friend for her birthday too as she just got a large gift to invest and isn’t sure what to do with it!

By: ConsciouslyFrugal

ConsciouslyFrugal — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:38:30 +0000

I’m a big believer in values-based financial planning. Every dollar we lay down is a vote. Why should oure investment dollars be any different? I’ve never understood the folks who are uber “green” and aware in every area but investing.

I also think that climate change is going to force certain socially-responsible companies to expand and increase revenue, which only bodes well for investors.

Anyhoo, so glad to see this guest post! Thinking about personal finance in a holistic manner is so important. Please officially enter me in the give away, Wojo! I love the Dummies series as well.
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By: Lakita (PFJourney)

Lakita (PFJourney) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:51:49 +0000

Great article! I’d be interested in a copy of her book. I’ve written about socially responsible spending in the past…but never thought about socially responsible investing.