🗳️ Personal Finance as Activism. Here's How.

A Different Way to Think About Money

In past issues, we’ve usually talked about personal finance as something individual (budgeting, saving, investing wisely). But in light of yesterday’s nationwide rally, I’ve been thinking about money differently.

Because money isn’t only personal. It’s also political. Where we put our money, where we spend it, and where we invest it, all send signals. It says what we value, what we stand for, and what kind of future we want to help shape, even if we don’t always realize it.

This is where the idea of financial activism comes in. Instead of looking at money only as a way to hit personal goals, it asks us to see money as a tool with ripple effects. Every peso we hold and release flows somewhere: into a company, into a cause, into a system. That flow can either reinforce the problems we’re trying to fight against, or help water the solutions we want to see thrive.

In today’s edition, we’ll go over:

• What Financial Activism is, it’s different faces, and impact

• Why This Matters For You

• Practical Ways to Practice Financial Activism

TLDR;

The Bottom Line

• Money isn’t neutral. Every peso you spend, save, or invest flows somewhere. It waters the systems you choose.

• Financial activism takes many forms. From shareholder activism to divestment, even consumer boycotts are small but powerful acts.

• You don’t need to be rich. When combined collectively, our small choices create real pressure.

• Supporting good companies (and refusing harmful ones) holds the powerful accountable and helps build the future we want.

The content

What is Financial Activism?

The Just Economy Institute describes financial activism as shifting the flow of capital and power to solve social and environmental problems. At its core, it’s an invitation to reimagine the role of money in our society—not just building wealth for a few, but helping to create an economy that is more sensible, equitable, and sustainable.

The Different Faces of Financial Activism

Note: This segment is heavily referenced by Dr. Javeria Farooqi’s lecture slides. Check here.

Financial activism can look like many things:

• Shareholder activism, where investors push companies to change policies or practices.

• Impact investing, where capital flows to businesses that balance profit with measurable social and environmental good.

• Divestment campaigns, which intentionally pull money away from harmful industries like coal or destructive mining.

• Consumer boycotts, where communities withhold purchases from companies that exploit, discriminate, or damage the planet.

What ties all these together is a conscious decision about where money goes.

The Impact of Financial Activism

When practiced widely, financial activism has layered effects:

• Economic: It pressures corporations to change behavior because the flow of money demands it.

• Social: It pushes for better labor practices, diversity, inclusion, and human rights.

• Environmental: It directs resources toward sustainability, renewable energy, and climate solutions.

These changes don’t happen overnight, but collectively, they can shift industries.

Why It Matters for You

You don’t need to be wealthy or a financial expert to participate. A single vote might not change an election, but millions of votes do. In the same way, one person redirecting their spending or investments may feel small. But when multiplied across thousands or millions, it creates momentum that companies, banks, and even governments cannot ignore.

It’s a fair question. And the answer is this: financial activism isn’t about excusing the wrongdoings of the rich. It’s about holding them accountable in the one language they still respond to, which is money.

When we refuse to buy from or invest in their companies, we’re telling them something. And when we choose to support small businesses, cooperatives, or sustainable enterprises instead, we’re watering the kinds of futures we want to see.

Actionable Tips for You

Practical Ways to Practice Financial Activism

• Rethink your spending. Support local businesses or companies whose values align with yours.

• Invest with values. I explore this further in the next segment.

• Support impact funds or co-ops. Some local funds and cooperatives already direct capital toward social enterprises or green projects. Even small contributions are meaningful.

• Be conscious of divestment. Choosing not to invest in or buy from a company that violates your values (say, a mining firm or a gambling company) is also activism.

• Use your influence. Share what you learn with friends, family, and coworkers. Financial activism spreads through conversations just as much as through transactions.

How Do You Actually “Invest With Values”?

Here’s a simple, practical way to start.

1. Clarify your values first.
Ask yourself: What matters to me? Maybe it’s sustainability, fair labor, good governance, or avoiding industries like tobacco, coal, or destructive mining. You can’t filter companies until you know your own non-negotiables.

2. Learn the basics of the companies you’re buying into.

• PSE Edge (the Philippine Stock Exchange’s disclosure site) shows company disclosures, sustainability reports, and annual reports. These usually mention environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies.

• Company websites often have sustainability or corporate responsibility sections. If a company hides this info or publishes vague statements, that’s already telling.

3. Look for independent checks.
Sometimes companies make big claims but little progress (“greenwashing”). To cross-check:

• Business news outlets (like BusinessWorld or Inquirer Business) often cover controversies or accolades.

• NGOs and advocacy groups sometimes publish lists of “good” or “bad” actors in certain industries (e.g., coal financing, labor issues).

📍 Bottom Line

Research doesn’t need to be overwhelming. You can start by reading disclosures, checking the news, and asking simple questions: Does this company’s business model align with what I believe in?

Stuff Worth Sharing

The Link Lowdown

• The Financial Activist Playbook: 8 Strategies for Everyday People to Reclaim Wealth and Collective Well-Being - if you want to delve deeper into Financial Activism. Jasmine Rashid breaks it down really well in her book.