• Boycott large corporations that practice "slash and burn" management, that lay off workers in the name of short term profit, that export jobs to Third World nations. Find out where corporate profits go before purchasing their products.

• Be aware that formerly reliable brand names can no longer be trusted in many cases. A younger generation of MBA's and "bean counters" has been cutting corners on quality control, with the result that "old reliable" brands can no longer be trusted.

• Patronize socially responsible companies, such as Real Goods (solar and high tech gadgets) and Working Assets (long distance carrier). Even if it means paying a bit more, give your dollars to firms that are responsive to their employees and to their communities.

• Support local merchants in preference to branches and affiliates of large conglomerates. Buy at your local grocery store rather than in a supermarket chain. Look for co-op stores and farmers markets. Patronize credit unions and locally owned small town banks rather than megabanks.

• Support small, independent software vendors. Use Linux or Free BSD, rather than that flaky infamous operating system foisted upon millions of unsuspecting computer users by the Billionaire $oftware Conglomerate. Support small, locally owned ISP's.