Made where?
So lately I have been paying more attention to where the stuff I am buying is made.
I really want to support the local merchants and stores, and American manufacturers. It doesn't seem like there's many left.
People definitely want to save the almighty dollar and are willing to sacrifice buying something made locally if it helps them keep a few more dollars, which ultimately they will end up spending on some other cheaply made goods.
I don't let the kids buy toys that I can tell are poorly made. "That's junky," I'll tell them. Inevitably, made in China.
Remember the lead paint scandal a few years back? Julia, the Baby Who Put Everything in Her Mouth had those Sesame Street figurines, I believe a hand me down from TJ.
Even at Walgreens, most of the items are made in China. It's amazing once you start looking at where things are made.
Just looking through my cabinets, I have a few items I have found that are made in America and that I am purchasing from here on in:
Tervis Cups - keep drinks hot and cold and Made in America. Lifetme guarantee. I bought mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond. They are a bit more than other insulated cups I have bought in the past, I think they were $12.99 or $16.99, but if they are safe, and I'm supporting American business, then that's ok with me.
Sip-A-Cup - I just looked at the bottom of this, totally expecting "made in China" to be stamped on the bottom, but was pleased to see Made in USA! They are cheap little plastic cups with the straw built in. Made by Arrow Plastic Mfg in Elk Grove, Illinois.
I have another cup from them, too, I think these were both Wal-Mart buys. So I need to give them props for that, I was surprised. I had already purchased these before I started to be so aware of the Made in China stamp.
Ironically, the cups that advertise the movies that were made here, Cars, Scooby Doo, and the one that really gets me going, Disney, all "Made in China". Imagine if they focused on the American economy and trying to get manufacturing going here again? Or at least figured out how to get the word out that it's helpful to buy American made goods. For the economy. I'm sure people that go and spend hundreds of dollars a day at Disney of their "disposable income" could make a huge difference in getting money back in our own land, with just a little encouragement and education. People don't know.
My hometown has an initiative right now, spend $50 in 3 local stores. This is instead of spending it at the Big Box stores, is the unsaid message. Fine with me. I would rather have Priscilla's Chocolate, eat at the Ale House and buy my children's clothes from someone local than pay $7 for a shirt that I know will fall apart after 3 washings.