Responsible Credit Cards

How to USE Your Swipe...

Did you know that if you got a credit card offer in the mail today, chances are it came from one of many corporate mega-banks…which often fund projects you may not approve of, such as harming the earth, contributing to mountaintop-removal coal mining, and predatory lending? For example, Morgan Stanley (Discover card) along with other mega-banks financed TXU’s 2007 plans to build 11 new coal-fired plants in Texas. 

So WHAT do you do?? If you want to use a credit card, choose one from a socially responsible bank or credit union so you can avoid having your card fees support mega-banks, which may fund socially and environmentally destructive practices. There are even affinity cards (such as the Brighter Planet Visa Card), which are issued by a bank that partners with a specific organization or charity and gives them a specific amount each time you ‘charge it.’ 

Check out Co-op America’s Real Money issue this month about responsible credit cards and learn more about who to avoid, how to take action, and if you want a card- the best way to choose how to use your swipe.

http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/realmoney/articles/ResponsibleCreditCa rd...