Sometimes we overlook one of the most influential ways to affect change in our capitalist world.

It has to do with being conscious about where our money goes, once it leaves our wallets.

More than voting, volunteering, or protesting, controlling who gets your money can change the world for the better – especially in the United States, where politicians’ votes are so heavily influenced by campaign contributions and many of the same companies give to both parties.

Social and especially environmental issues, often one and the same, are directly affected by what choices we make at the marketplace.

An easy example is what happens when, as poor college students, we shop for the best deals, which are often found at superstores such as Target.

Target carries everything from toilet paper and sheets to televisions and table lamps.

And nearly all of it is made in faraway places, mostly China.

With the recent Olympics, we became increasingly aware of the Chinese government’s misdeeds in Tibet, Darfur and even to its own people. And we saw the Bejing sky darkened by the smog pouring out of hundreds of factories.

It is important to be conscious of buying imported products, particularly electronics, whose manufacturing and disposal is toxic to those who work in the factories and live in the communities that surround them.

They will stop being made, if we stop buying them.

Thrift shops, flea markets, garage sales and Craigslist are good places to find nice used stuff that is cheap and creates less demand for new imports.

Food is another area in which our dollars can dictate change.

Buying food at farmers’ markets, instead of chain grocery stores, ensures your food was grown locally.

An Iowa State University study found, on average, a piece of U.S.-grown produce travels 1,494 miles from field to market. Imagine how far foreign produce must travel.

A large part of the cost for any product is transport. By buying local, consumers can bring down prices.

Sometimes it is worth paying more for something that lasts longer and uses fewer resources. In the Bay Area, dozens of farmers’ markets occur each week, their schedules listed in local newspapers.

Most people want to see change in the world but are not willing to change themselves or their lifestyles. It really is as simple as, “Either you are part of the problem or a part of the solution.”