Gifting Sense was just at the 2018 TED Women’s Summit. As many people know, TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading great ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks that cover almost any topic, from history to science, the arts, global, and even local issues.
Over the course of this year’s Summit, more than 50 presenters discussed their life’s work (thus far…as some TEDsters are still in high school!) and the various ways in which they have “Shown Up” to try and make the world a better place. It was an inspiring three days, highlighting how fortunate in particular Canadians are. It also gave us a new way to describe the work we are doing, thanks to Kate Brandt, Google’s Sustainability Officer.
How does Kate Brandt work towards a “greener Google”?
As you might imagine, Google’s data centers are filled with giant servers that require a lot of energy. Ms. Brandt’s job is to help Google continue its work in a sustainable way and reduce energy consumption. She believes in making it as easy as possible for people to make a positive impact, and we like her thinking. Taking inspiration from nature, where she has witnessed some of the best Engineers in the world consistently repurpose and reuse various energy sources, she has developed a three-part strategy for achieving a “greener Google”:
1. Design out waste.
2. Keep products and materials in use as long as possible.
3. While continuing to transition to renewable energy.
The minute we heard her approach, we recognized that we could use it to describe our work. When children research the full value of a request and whether they will really use and/or appreciate a gift before they ask for it, waste is eliminated from gift-giving. Products and materials are kept in use as long as possible.
The same way we approach early financial education!
Not sure how? Take three minutes to calculate the DIMS-DOES IT MAKE SENSE?® SCORE for a potential purchase right now. You’ll be one step closer to spending your time and money in the wisest way possible, teaching your kids how to do the same, and keeping the world green while you do it. Fewer unwanted gifts make for reduced landfill contributions and carbon emissions (imagine never having to drive to the mall to return another holiday gift), not to mention happier children and extended family members.
The best gift today’s youth can ever get is the habit of thinking before buying.
Give your kids the gifts they want and the gifts they need (quick but meaningful bursts of financial education) every time they ask you for something merely by asking them to calculate the DIMS SCORE® for their request. By doing so, on top of being brave enough to talk to your kids about money, you’ll be D.O.W.N (designing out waste now) with sustainability. Now, there’s an idea worth sharing!
To learn more about our approach to early financial education, click on the pink or blue buttons below.
DIMS SCORE® Questions For Parents For Teachers Gifts & Holidays Sustainability
