I'm preparing for a month of only Made in the USA purchases. Last night my son and I made a list of normal purchases for the family. We brainstormed about what we might need for household items, school supplies and other normal purchases.

I have had no trouble finding local produce, an advantage of living in Southern California, although I was sad to find that the great looking figs in my market were from South America....sigh.

One of the ways we created our list was to look at receipts from this weeks shopping. I had saved them to review. Walmart, Target, the Mall, Supermarkets....we sorted through all of them.

The first thing was to determine what items were "musts" and which we could do without. Obviously....clothes just for fun we could do without. But we do need a supply of paper products, cleaning products and food. Additionally we seem to be in a constant need of socks and T Shirts around here. And I also needed to consider the lack of planning from my husband.......he's supportive of this idea, but planning ahead for him is an hour before the need hits the point of panic.

The Internet is a wonderful thing!!! So here are some products I found which are Made In The USA.

Bounty Paper Towels
Northern Toilet Paper
Simple Green Cleanser
Burt's Bees
Dixie Cups
Purex
Arrowhead Water
Crayola Crayons (not markers or other products)
Sharpie Pens
USA Gold Pencils

Clothes are going to be the biggest challenge, T shirts and even Levi Jeans can be produced overseas for a fraction of the cost of a USA shop. We do have a large garment district in Southern California, and fortunately my brother owns a clothing company. Through him, I have access to floor samples and small run clothes. These are produced on-site as samples or trials....then sold in the factory stores and/or outlets. So....I will make a run to Volcom next week to stock up on items my son needs for the colder weather we are getting.

Getting there....not cold turkey yet, but almost ready to jump.

 

 

 

KAREN FIDDLER
Dre no. 01494165
Broker/Associate
HÔM SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
M 949.510.2395
Karen@SothebysRealtySoCal.com
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17 Comments on A Month Of Made In The USA....Prep Continues

OCT
06
2011
272,065 Points 3 Featured Posts Hit Router

Sounds like you have  a great plan!

 I always get a chuckle when someone is boycotting or otherwise avoiding a product that they WILL return to because you've really made no difference at all except in what DAY the money comes in.  A big one is GAS OUTS...no one buy Gas on X day of the month and we'll show them! Ummm, yeah, but you will still need the same amount of gas and all you've done is buy it earlier or buy it later...it still got purchased and the net effect was NOTHING really except to inconvenience yourself! :)

Doing without requires lots of planning, like you've obviously done.  I would love to hear, when you make that plunge, what the COST difference will be.   I've always said, I'd pay $10 for that $5 Barbie doll if it were made in the USA instead of China or some other country that isn't friendly to our existence.  Ultimately, we finance our own demise when we buy from non-friendly countries.
2:15pm • #1
761,236 Points 13 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Good blog Karen, I have been reading about this idea in a couple of places here on Activerain. It seems to be gaining traction . I am in 

 
2:27pm • #2
593,997 Points 62 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great project Karen. Hope you will post the final list when you have it ready :)
3:26pm • #3
137,746 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great post Karen. We try to remain vigilant when shopping, but it is VERY hard to buy only American.  It was actually shocking to see how few items you can find!
3:28pm • #4
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Karen, what really caught my eye in this post was the beautiful photo of all that produce! Love the colors! (ActiveRain is right when they say use great photos!) 

It's a terrific idea to work with your kids and help them learn about the global economy. I know it's even better to "buy local" and--sadly--that much more difficult!
3:35pm • #5
1,057,713 Points 246 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Karen- this is a great post that should get us all thinking.  I have to admit, I've never really looked at what products are made in the USA!  It's a good way to educate our children too. 

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Bananatude 
4:07pm • #6
529,408 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Karen,  i was just reading a email this morning of how Ace Hardware has made in the USA vs. going to lowes
4:41pm • #7
407,881 Points 49 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Karen, I can see how clothes would be the hardest! I's a great way to really look not only at what your buying..but yes, where it comes from. Good luck with this as I know it's harder than it looks.
7:35pm • #8
1,178,430 Points 87 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Karen, good luck with that list. In a global economy, it is difficult to find goods that are Made in the USA, and you are not likely to find many at Wal-Mart
7:59pm • #9
613,514 Points 60 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great plan, Karen.  As far as food, it is discouraging that many of our grocery stores carry fresh produce from outside the country --- try the Farmer's Markets they are a great source and you get to talk to the people growing the various products.   Shop local!
11:33pm • #10
OCT
07
2011
142,578 Points 1 Featured Post

Karen, good post, who would think it to be so hard to find product made in USA.  I bet much easier for our parents than us.  My Dad just spent time in the hospital, and was surprised to see Dole Peaches, were grown in Greece and packaged in Indonesia.... sounds crazy to us.  Best to you.
1:09am • #11
202,276 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

That is a tough challenge, Karen.  At least you have farmer's markets.  Those, in some cities feature imported produce.  I guess the producers are farmers but lots of them live in Latin America.  This time of year our local produce is sorta limited to okra and pumpkins. 
1:49am • #12
858,661 Points 184 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Ron: I agree about the boycott thing, unless they return after they affect change. We are having our annual "day without an immigrant" here in California soon....which is code for illegal aliens, what they miss is that is what we all want

Charlie: I hope so....we might not be able to do it completely, but awareness helps

Karen: I'll keep you posted

Gayle: It is....fresh food is one great way to do it

Rockwell: Thanks...the picture was so appetizing, wasn't it?

Kathy: It's just one small thing we could do....and our kids can be a part of it

Will: Interesting...thanks for the tip, I love Ace

Cindy: it is harder...but I'm working on it

Ed: I actually have found a lot at Walmart....but was surprised by it.

Michael: Bummer....I'm glad that we have local farmers to buy from

Joan: I think that our parents just assumed, and were probably right. Hope your dad is ok?

Marge: That's bazaar that your farmer's markets are imported.
2:12pm • #13
OCT
08
2011
1,371,239 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It gets more and more difficult to find items that are actually made here in the States other than our veggies!
8:40am • #14
OCT
10
2011
698,281 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks, Karen.  I reblogged this.  I think it is a very important message in this tough economic times. 
6:41pm • #15
271,393 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Karen, what a wonderful and impressive challenge you are undertaking.  Way to go!  By the way I found the blog through Suzanne's reblog.  --Krystal
6:44pm • #16
OCT
25
2011
373,358 Points 72 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I found your blog post from Ron Tarvin and I love it!!  My folks' new years resolution was to only buy American made. It has proven to be a challenge to say the least. Like you said, clothing is the biggy. Unless you want to pay over $100 for a shirt it's really hard to find American made products. I heard somewhere that a company was actually taxed higher because they refused to make anything outside the US?

I live in an area where we have those in-home business parties all the time and I always ask, is it made in America? Most likely it's "assembled here" but made elsewhere..... drives me batty!! Great blog Karen, have a wonderful AMERICAN MADE week!
5:31pm • #17

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