Once upon a time you would have found it hard to find ethical goods full stop. Not long ago ethical goods were expensive, exclusive and uncommon. The province of the few. Nowadays the ethical goods movement is certainly going mainstream as ever increasing numbers of individuals make the leap, shopping responsibly rather than ignoring the serious side of our dependence on retail therapy.

In the event you haven't settled upon your New Year resolutions yet, 2011 could be the year to go ethical and commit yourself to shopping with a conscience.

Mindful purchasing has started to become increasingly popular too, as people set out to challenge the principles behind our consumer society. Less waste, more care. Less automatic extravagance, more thoughtfulness. Less impulse shopping, more scrupulously considered purchases.Here's a few handy strategies for changing your buying habits for the better in 2011:

1. buy ethical products whenever humanly possible, goods whose manufacturers and creators are treated fairly and paid a decent wage

2. decide whether you really have to have a product before choosing it, instead of indulging yourself in retail therapy for the sake of it. Yes, you get a wonderful glow when you first treat yourself. But it doesn't last for very long!

3. encourage family and friends to purchase ethically as well

4. put away the money you'd otherwise have frittered away on items you don't really want or need, and watch it grow. There is nothing more uplifting than actually experiencing first hand the benefits of switching your shopping habits for the better

5. buy online if you find high street shops too luring. Typically it's easier to track down ethical goods suppliers online than offline

Remember that being an individual consumer you have the power to affect the way the planet operates ultimately. Keep at it and collectively we'll try to make the planet a better place!