Extreme Consumers: Spending to Make an Impact

by Guinness World Records shows Edd China talking to a shopper while driving his way into Guinness World Records

The corporate world can no longer ignore a surprising and powerful new trend emerging among US consumers. A radical shift in spending behavior is taking shape and you and I are at the core of it. In our world of cash and credit, more consumers than ever are spending with conscience and informed concern to control the greater impact of our choices.

As an "extreme consumer" myself with eccentric views on credit cards, wind energy, recycling, and giving, what lies at the heart of my best spending strategies to avoid waste, high taxes and more waste, is knowing we CAN make a difference!

If you are an "extreme consumer" making your politics a reality with the power of your wallet and your choices, I welcome you to ConsumerVine. This new group is inspired by the Newsvine and MSNBC creative energies of our own Calvin Tang and Al Olson the Deputy Business Editor at msnbc.com.

At ConsumerVine the best of your Newsvine contributions on consumerism join together with the insight and talent of the Msnbc.com business writers and editors to generate an even greater exposure to personal finance issues that matter to each of us. As part of this expanding connection with Al Olson and his team we are being asked to participate with articles and stories that reflect this "extreme consumerism" in our lives.

Your contributions will be considered and specifically connected to a weekly four-part series by msnbc.com business writer Allison Linn. Besides an incredible 63 articles posted in only two months, she is investigating these "extreme consumers," who represent a trend that can no longer be ignored by retailers and marketers.

Msnbc.com's special business series...

explores the trend of consumers going to extremes in their quest to align purchasing decisions with their personal politics. Whether they are concerned about global warming, the decline of U.S. manufacturing, pesticides in produce or other hot-button issues, more and more American consumers are putting their money where their mouth is.

If you were raised in a family like mine that diluted your ketchup with water, piled bricks in your toilet tank, and even tried to recycle your sipping straws then you have what it takes to be extreme. If you still do that and more, well you probably need to get help, but your article might go a long way toward expressing your spending behavior as you thoughtfully reduce your carbon footprint.

The first opportunity to share how you "put your money where your mouth is" begins in earnest on May 20th! Please try to keep your articles on the "Extreme Consumer" Topic of the Week and clip them to ConsumerVine while you link your stories to Allison's article and those to follow.

Here's a sneak preview from Allison for week one:

Part 1: Made in the U.S.A.

Linn explores consumers who are passionately dedicated to buying American. From lead paint-laced toys to poisoned dog food, recent safety scares have led many to question whether cheap imported goods are worth the potential tradeoffs. But these extreme consumers face challenges in buying toys, apparel and many other products.

Try to stay with the Made in the U.S.A. theme for the first week as you express your conscientious consumerism on the article to follow. Please also make sure you become a member of ConsumerVine to read and participate fully in the upcoming articles and events!

Write on!

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