*** I don't know if this belongs here or not, but I think it kind of fits. I know we've talked about it before, and Becca has posted about it a lot, but I wanted to share what I posted on another site, and hopefully we can share good things we find as we shop.***

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Do you consciously try to buy American made?


With all the topics about Chinese imports on the news, I have really started paying attention to where things are made, and I am disgusted. Not just because of the possible dangers from some of their products, but because just about everything thing I see is made in China!


So, for the last two months, I have made a conscious effort to try to buy primarily American made items, and if I can't find what I need made in America, then I try to choose a product made somewhere other than China, preferably where their manufacturing guidelines might be similar to the US, or where the economy is emerging and I feel like it's a good thing to help boost it.


Add to this that I am a vegetarian, and I try to buy leather-free products, and it has become exceedingly difficult to buy anything. But I'm not going to focus on that aspect of my shopping guidelines here, because I know that doesn't apply to everyone.


However, I feel that buying American, or avoiding Chinese products, does apply to just about every American. Take a look next time you go to the mall. For me, it is REALLY disgusting when I see designer clothes are made in China, and most likely in sweat shops. Or at least what I would consider sweat shops, even if they don't necessarily fit the exact definition of one. I will not pay $250 for a name brand dress that was made in China. When it's from Walmart, I get it. There is very little room for profit at those prices. I still don't want to buy it, but I get it. But at designer and name brand prices, there is PLENTY of room for profit, so why can't they set an example and keep it in our economy, and under our regulations?


A lot of people think it's too expensive to buy American made products. I have found some truth to this in some areas, but when it comes to name brand clothes at the mall, they are all expensive so it really doesn't make a difference. And when you choose to only buy non-China products, you will suddenly find that you are not buying nearly as much, and you are saving money big time!


As a military wife, sometimes I feel the need to be more patriotic than I was before I married a military man. I think that this is definitley one of the ways that more Americans should show pride in their country. I don't want to let capitalism over shadow patriotism anymore. My Grandfather, a World War II vet, was adamant about buying American made products, and he was the most patriotic, intelligent, and honorable man I've ever know. I'll show my pride as an American, and honor his memory, by keeping it American, and I hope more military wives will do the same.

And here are some of my most recent finds that I think fit the bill:

Lucky Brand Jeans - Made in the USA (and super comfy and cute!)

New Balance Sneakers - Some are made in the USA. You can search their website for products made in the USA, or at the store, the boxes will have little flag stickers on them if they are made in the USA.

Correlle and Corning dishes - Made in the USA.

Williams Sonoma dishes - Made in Italy but that's better than made in China.

Ray Ban sunglasses and cases - Made in the USA. ***ETA - the glasses are made in Italy, the cases are made in the USA.***

Charlie Brown's Christmas Music CD - Printed in the USA.

Little Tikes Toys - Their website allows you to search only the products made in the USA.



There's more... I'll add later because I'm drawing a blank.

And please, please, please, post anything you find made in the USA, or at least anywhere but China!

:thumbsup

I'm finding that it's just about down right impossible to find toys or baby items of any kind made in America (or somewhere other than China). If someone could pass on some sites or info that would help me out finding american made toys that would be much appreciated.

K'Nex is made in America, but DD is still a little too young for their items.

:thumbsup

I'm finding that it's just about down right impossible to find toys or baby items of any kind made in America (or somewhere other than China). If someone could pass on some sites or info that would help me out finding american made toys that would be much appreciated.

K'Nex is made in America, but DD is still a little too young for their items.


I'd like to add to this request! :mrgreen I'm having trouble with finding dog beds not made in China, or the coats/sweaters for them. I know that sounds silly, but Angus is built like a greyhound, and I'm worried about him handling the cold when we go to VA, MD, and NY in the next few weeks. And since he always ends up chewing on his beds, I really don't want Chinese made.

So if anyone notices any that aren't Chinese made, please share!

American Toys (http://toysmadeinamerica.com/)
American Made (http://www.buydirectusa.com/links/category.php?direction=&n=109&page=1&sort=)
American Made Products (http://www.americansworking.com/)
American Made Pet Supplies (http://americanmadeyes.com/petfoodsupplies.html)

WOW Stacey, thanks!! :)

WOW Stacey, thanks!! :)

You're welcome. :) I added a couple more. :D

I made my last dog bed/jacket for my dogs. it was really easy. if you want to go that route.

great post :tu

American Toys (http://toysmadeinamerica.com/)
American Made (http://www.buydirectusa.com/links/category.php?direction=&n=109&page=1&sort=)
American Made Products (http://www.americansworking.com/)
American Made Pet Supplies (http://americanmadeyes.com/petfoodsupplies.html)


That pet one is awesome! They have a link to "West Paw" design that has GREEN beds with recycled plastic bottle filling, and they're made in the US! :clap Now dh and I just have to agree on one. Of course I want the kind that will match our decor, and he wants the kind that look like Lazy Boys for dogs. :giggle

Thank you for posting that. I have done so many internet searches, but never found that one.

That pet one is awesome! They have a link to "West Paw" design that has GREEN beds with recycled plastic bottle filling, and their made in the US! :clap Now dh and I just have to agree on one. Of course I want the kind that will match our decor, and he wants the kind that look like Lazy Boys for dogs. :giggle

Thank you for posting that. I have done so many internet searches, but never found that one.

You're welcome. :D

You should post this in General chat too. I know Step2 Is an american company and if you buy from their site is hell of a lot cheaper. I bought a little safty guy for our street and He was $60.00 on the site 167.00 I think at ace hardware :faint :wowsers. Needless to say I went to the Step2 Website.

I buy from Step2 as well. :yes

Target has a lot more things than Walmart that are made in the USA, Bed Bath and Beyond and Linens and Things are good too. It's a little more expensive for USA made products, BUT the quality is usually 10X better so I find it to be worth having less things of better quality.

Don't forget about vehicles or food? Look in the stores for those also.

Face it, when you purchase "made in America" you are supporting america!!!! Why do we ALWAYS figure the bottom $ is the best thing. Our car is made in america, we look for clothes, toys, and food that area also.

Awesome thread!!!! Keep all those things coming! JC Penny's is pretty good about Made in USA things.

for anything other than cars, i would love to start doing this. it is a great way to show patriotism:yes

It would be great if this post could be made as a sticky for future reference.

wow this is awesome. was this thread ever made a sticky. i'm not on this board very often but this is some really good info.

I finally bought those New Balances I mentioned earlier in this thread. I was holding out because they were pricey (as all sneakers seem to be - not just made in the US ones). I LOVE them... and as a bonus, they are totally vegan! I love knowing there is no cruelty involved - to humans or animals - and that they weren't shipped all across the globe on fossil fuels.

I'm a happy camper. :yahoo

I also found some decorative pillows at T. J. Maxx that were made completely in the US. That was a shocker. Unfortunately, they didn't match as well as I expected when I got home so I had to take them back.

I saw this post and kept thinking about american made cars..lol
But thats a good point you made.

http://americanapparel.net/

it says it's made in downtown LA

http://americanapparel.net/

it says it's made in downtown LA

I watched an entire show about how this guy goes about opening a new store, and how he has become so successful. They talked about his stuff being made in the US, and how he thinks it's important to provide jobs, etc. He was really quirky, very full of himself, but definitely with a reason to be!

Thanks for the link!

I finally bought those New Balances I mentioned earlier in this thread. I was holding out because they were pricey (as all sneakers seem to be - not just made in the US ones). I LOVE them... and as a bonus, they are totally vegan! I love knowing there is no cruelty involved - to humans or animals - and that they weren't shipped all across the globe on fossil fuels.

I'm a happy camper. :yahoo

I also found some decorative pillows at T. J. Maxx that were made completely in the US. That was a shocker. Unfortunately, they didn't match as well as I expected when I got home so I had to take them back.


I bought my first pair of New Balance 4 years ago and absolutely refuse to wear anything else now. Sometimes its like you aren't even wearing shoes at all.


I saw this post and kept thinking about american made cars..lol
But thats a good point you made.


In my family you wouldn't dream of driving anything that wasn't American made. It's something that has been reinforced by my grandpa (who worked at GM for years) ingrained in us practically from birth. So yes in some cases I have spent more on a car than I would have if I bought a Toyota or Honda but I feel better at night knowing my little Escape was made in Detroit and not shipped half way around the world.

The American car thing confuses me. I never owned a car that wasn't American, but lately I've been hearing more and more about Toyota and other companies manufacturing their cars here in the states that are going to be sold in the states. This blurs the line for me, since they are providing Americans with manufacturing jobs, boosting the economy, and cutting down on greenhouse emissions from shipping vehicles overseas. But it still doesn't feel as good as the idea of buying a Ford.

Anyone have any opinions or insight?

I'm super excited tonight because I found cute shirts for work at Macy's by I.N.C. that are made in the USA! :woot

World New Tonight on ABC did a segment on the dollar dropping and its effect on our clothing consumerism. They interviewed people on the street, asking them to guess how much of what they were wearing was made in a foreign country. One guy guessed 30%, but in truth wasn't wearing a single item made in America.

So then they talked about how the manufacturers are paid in American dollars, and with the dollar dropping, their profits are dropping. The fear is that foreign made goods will go up in price to maintain the profit levels even as the dollar drops, which would of course effect our economy even more.

Just one more reason to buy American!

:D

Hmm, I don't really pay attention. I don't think I will ever buy an American car though. I've had nothing but bad luck with Chevy and Ford cars, and I've had zero problems with my Honda. I mean, I understand what you mean buy buying things only from the USA. But it's kind of the USA's fault in the first place that we out source stuff. A lot of companies just don't want to spend the money to keep their companies domestic when they are so much cheaper internationally.

Hmm, I don't really pay attention. I don't think I will ever buy an American car though. I've had nothing but bad luck with Chevy and Ford cars, and I've had zero problems with my Honda. I mean, I understand what you mean buy buying things only from the USA. But it's kind of the USA's fault in the first place that we out source stuff. A lot of companies just don't want to spend the money to keep their companies domestic when they are so much cheaper internationally.

most honda's, and other "foreign cars" are assembled in the United States.