It's been a long year of joblessness for me, and like many other folks, I've been cutting back on purchasing things I'd like to have so we can buy what we absolutely need. It requires being conscious of "Wants" vs "Desires", but has also made Mr. Wonderful and I more aware of things that are manufactured in America. Because we LIVE HERE, we should BUY HERE, thereby supporting our manufacturers, our workers, and our country.
Reading labels has been interesting and educational; if you've not been looking, it would surprise you at some of the findings. I originally started reading labels because of health concerns - fats, cholesterol, sugars, calories - you know what I'm talking about. Raising chickens for eggs has helped in knowing what goes into some of the foods that we eat - I can increase the Omega 3's by feeding flax seed to my girls, and lower cholesterol in their eggs by letting them 'free range' during the warmer part of the year, and in winter, I sprout wheat and oat grasses for their dining delight! I sell the extra eggs to help with their feed bill - gravel and natural "Chicken Chow" are things we purchase, so they remain healthy and that the demands placed on their little chicken bodies does not drain nutrients without replacing any. They are happy, spoiled little biddies, and I don't mind - it gives us back some control as to where our food comes from and how it is raised. It is a "co-op", of sorts, as it allows us to share some of the good things with friends that would normally buy lesser quality eggs from a market somewhere - why not buy from us at the same or lower cost than the stores? It only makes good economic sense!While shopping for other necessities, like new socks, for instance, we were at Sam's Club a few weeks back (Christmas, remember?? It's not Christmas if you don't get new socks under the tree!!!) and they have some pretty good money saving deals there sometimes. Looking at the quality of socks, I liked one style for everyday wear (chores and such). They seemed pretty thick and cushioned, and I put them in the cart. I noticed another kind, and looked at them as well - and they weren't as 'cute' as the other ones, but seemed cushioned and pretty nice, but cost a little bit more - maybe a dollar or two for the same amount of socks in the package. I looked on the back and it read "Made in the USA". Hmmmm. The ones in my cart read "Made in India". Guess which package came home with me? Give up??? The less stylish ones made in America! I felt good about that purchase.
Something I have also noticed while reading labels is this - that when a label says "made by so and so, NY, New York", it does not necessarily mean it is made in America. It can be made by an American company, but MANUFACTURED in China, Mexico, or India. Be aware. Buy American, MADE in AMERICA!
