Did you know that women spend $.85 of every dollar in the marketplace? That's a lot of spending power; and in our society, our spending is as valuable — if not more — than our vote. That means that the power to make changes in the social, economic and political spheres rests with us: The women who are out there buying.

Simply being conscious of our responsibility is the first step toward a marketplace revolution that must take place for the sake of our planet, our own survival, and the survival of future generations.

Big Green Purse is not only an idea - it's a movement that was founded by author, lecturer, and activist Diane MacEachern, who has just released a book entitled Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World.

Ms. MacEachern was gracious enough to spend some time talking to me a couple weeks ago - about her book and her vision. I asked her a couple questions that I felt were of primary importance to women who are just trying to make positive changes in their spending habits:

What do you tell women who say it is too expensive to buy sustainable products?

I encourage people to simply look at ways they can shift what they are already spending. Most people don't realize how much flexibility they have in their budget. You're not spending any more money, you're spending on quality that will last longer. We need to step in to that mindset when we're looking at fashion, too. A lot of the disposable fashion we buy isn't really even that nice. The only thing attractive about it is that it's new. The Eco=Expensive mindset is a false assumption at this point. Even Wal-Mart is starting to sell organics.

What are some first steps you can recommend to women who want to change their spending habits to reflect their concern about the environment?

One of the easiest first steps is to buy organic cotton underwear. Wal-Mart and Target are even selling it now, and it's readily available online. Socks, active wear and yoga wear are also easy to find and very inexpensive now. Try to resist "fast fashion," and buy quality items that will last. Create a style for yourself that you cultivate over time, and that you develop for yourself. Borrow clothes, buy vintage.

In fact, we have a lot more options today, and a great deal of our spending is done out of habit, or for the sake of instant gratification. Choosing to spend wisely is something that we need to develop in ourselves. Consciousness requires some effort, but the collective efforts of the buying power of women in our society is the single greatest tool in affecting the changes we all want — and need — to see in our world.

Thanks again for your time and your words of wisdom, Diane! Good luck!

You can also read Diane's blog on her website: Big Green Purse.