So the idea of going without buying anything made in China isn’t something I came up with on my own. It’s been a couple years in coming. My parents constantly complain about how it’s so hard to find things made here in the United States. Then there’s all the recalls, lead paint in children’s toys, contaminated baby formula, toothpaste and pet food. And last summer a friend mentioned that her husband was trying it out for a year. 

There was also a book that came out a couple years ago about a family who went without goods from China for a year.

On top of that I’ve been becoming a more conscious consumer. I read labels, I try to make good choices but sometimes it really seems impossible to buy things made in our own country.

One thing my dad said when we got our economic stimulus checks last year was “All those people who have lost their jobs because the manufacturing plant they worked at moved to China are going to take those checks and run out to WalMart and buy a bunch of junk made in China. Who’s economy are we stimulating anyway?”

He’s right in a lot of ways. 

So in addition to taking the Buy Handmade Pledge I am going to not buy anything made in China this year. The two kind of go hand in hand. I know even with my best intentions at heart I won’t be able to buy everything handmade. So in those cases I will try to find an option that is made in the US, or at the very least not made in China. I’ve got some options that way, a little safety net so I don’t completely fall off the wagon.

My motivation for doing this is rooted more in trying to support our local economy and give my neighbors jobs they need to feed themselves and their kids. I don’t really have anything personal against China I just feel that enough is enough. We really have to make an effort to invest in our country and our people. A good way to do that is by thinking just a little bit about where we spend our money. 

If you’re interested in joining me in the challenge please leave a comment.