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The following editorial content is excerpted from Real Money newsletter, published by Co-op America. This national non-profit organization helps people shape a better world through their spending and investing power. Real Money also helps people discover saving, investing, and purchasing tips for saner and healthier living--choices that are good for our planet and its people. To order subscriptions ($10) or memberships ($20) call 1-800-58-GREEN, or access their web site at www.coopamerica.org.W hatever your resources, financial planning, sound money management and socially responsible investing (SRI) can help you realize your dreams and goals, and make the world a better place. In many ways, socially responsible investing does not differ from traditional investing. Socially concerned investors pursue the same economic goals as all investors. However, social investors are in search of one additional goal: they seek out companies that demonstrate better social and environmental performance - and steer clear of irresponsible companies. The more investment money that is channeled away from destructive enterprises--industries that pollute, companies that discriminate or employ sweatshop labor, businesses that produce harmful products and corporations that support brutal and oppressive governments--the healthier and more equitable our world will be.

Once you know that you are committed to investing with a conscience, how do you choose which investments are right for you? The key to a good financial plan is to know why you are investing (retirement, buying a home, taking an eco-tour next summer) and for how long. It is also important to know your risk tolerance--what kind of market ups and downs can you feel comfortable with. There are over 155 socially screened mutual funds you can turn to in order to meet your financial and social goals. And you can turn to a SRI financial professional for help in creating a financial plan that addresses your risk preferences, financial goals and social concerns. (Find one in your area on www.greenpages.org.)