Peoples of Pearler — Callum

“At the end of the day, I care more about where I spend my money, than how much money I am making in the long run. Every time I put my money somewhere I am casting a vote for the kind of world I want to live in. I’m a spiritual person and I trust the universe will give me what I need if I lead a sustainable lifestyle.

I’m no wiz when it comes to investing, but it all seems to centre around growth, which is a very capitalistic idea to me. But I’ve heard that I may be able to choose greener and more responsible investments relatively easily. I would be super keen to learn more about that” —Callum

Don’t let modesty, a banjo and some colourful attire deceive you, following further conversation it turns out Tim is no spring chicken when is comes to finance and economics. He is touching on a very relevant point — the companies we invest in are usually focused on growth, and growth can only go so far in a world of finite resources.

Companies also tend to focus their expertise in one area — whether it be making something, servicing a certain type of person, or helping solve a given consumer or business issue. When we invest in a company, we indirectly provide capital and momentum to assist that company to grow. As a result, who we chose to invest in certainly has an impact on the world we live in. The similar story holds true for our purchasing habits.

Thankfully, the ‘socially responsible investments’ industry has grown rapidly in recent years and there are now several options available in Australia which do not invest in companies such as gaming, tobacco, fossil fuels or carbon-intensive industries, or avoid companies who are doing a poor job on social responsibility as compared to their industry peers.

And, while the world is a complex place so far, we at pearler have found that small shifts by the masses is wholly more effective than large changes by a few. That’s part of the reason why we have created pearler — so that conversations can be more readily had between peers. We want people to share their passions and what the world should look like to them through their investment decisions.

To learn more about responsible investment have a read of this thorough guide, or do some of your own research. Alternatively, an easy approach is purchasing one of the many ‘green’ ETF’s currently available to purchase on the share market. Stay tuned to learn more about ETF’s in the coming weeks.

Disclaimer: At pearler, we pride ourselves on the quality of the financial advice we give, however, this advice has not been tailored for you. You may have unique financial goals, circumstances or needs which make this advice inappropriate, and it is important that you know whether you do. If you’re unsure we urge you to speak to someone you trust who is competent with money and understands your individual needs, whether they be a trusted friend or professional.