This morning I started thinking that I'd like to boycott products made in China. What an eye-opener that has been.  I went to the corner store to pick up a couple of things.  Some cute binders for back to school caught my eye...made in China. Shoot.  Backpacks...pencil boxes....a thermos...all made in China.Then there were some cheerful placemats...made in China too. Puzzles, games, blankets, umbrellas...just about everything I looked at was made in China.

Then I came home, and started loading the dishwasher. My stainless steel travel mug...made in China. The pottery mug I used for breakfast....made in China...a steel water bottle, recently purchased in Ireland...made in China.  On to the laundry...I threw in my daughter's pj's ....made in China....for all I know the washing machine was made in China too.  Oh. My. Goodness.  How did this happen?

My husband is working from home today, and when I was telling him about this, he leaned back in his computer chair (probably made in China), clasped his hands behind his head and said "Yes, I think if you remove all the Chinese products from this house we'd be left with a fairly spartan existence."   In fact, we'd probably have hardly any clothes or shoes.  That's a disturbing thought.

I'm not going to throw things out, but I've been thinking about future purchases. Can my budget afford alternatives made in America?  Are American made products even available?

So...here's my challenge...spend a day or two looking at how many things you use that are made in China.  We are enslaved by Chinese imports, held captive by our own wanton consumerism. How depressing.

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Posted by takingthechallenge

Believe me, this is something our family has been attempting for over a year now...and it's very discouraging. Several times I've been tempted to throw in the towel...more than once I succumbed to a purchase due to time/budget constraints...but, I'm still trying to fight the fight. I just wonder if it's too late. What's really frightening, if we end up in war, how long will it take for all these factories that have closed down to re-open? I wonder if the average American realizes exactly how dependant we are on Chinese imports...more importantly, how many care???
Just walk through Walmart and Target and tell me how many non-Chinese products you find.
Ummm...can you tell you've hit a hot button??? ;)

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Posted by takingthechallenge

PS...nice to see you back on the board :)

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Posted by mijubrifarms

Getting rid of Made in China - wow. Then you have to move on to Mexico and Thailand. There are a few american made products out there.

(2) Welcome home from your trip. Where are all the pictues???

(3) It's a little early, but my daughter will be 17 tomorrow (Sat. Aug 18th). I'd like to suprise her with LOTS! of birthday greetings from around the blog-o-sphere. Please visit her blog site www.homeschoolblogger.com/redwallwindow and leave a comment and spread the word. Thanks.

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Posted by mijubrifarms

DDs blog and wishing her happy birthday, and thanks for stopping by mine and leaving a commen. Ye, we're VERY proud of DS. It's been a pretty good year for him. DD is set for a very busy semester (co-op starts today, I better go get ready).

So, where's the stories and pictures from Ireland?

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Posted by sagerats

I've done this too. It is amazing how many things are made in China. On the other hand it is amazing how many of the things I have I don't "really" need. It certainly makes you think twice before purchasing something.

Abiding in the Vine!

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