Not Again!

I did it again. I bought something from China. I was so careful today at the store, checked just about all the labels, even the lotion bottle I checked, twice!

I normally don't buy greeting cards, I personally think they are the biggest waste of money, well that and flowers, anyways, I thought this year I would buy Valentine's Day cards and give them from Rylee, all the cards were "Made in the USA". But I found a cute/funny card for Ryan, and forgot the check the label, got home and I had that Oh Sh*t feeling, checked the back and there is was "Made in China."

I can't take it back because I've already signed it- so Day 21 I have already failed. I knew this would be a big challenge, but I thought I could make it longer than 21 days.

Frozen Food

After two of my friends told me that even frozen food can come from China, I had to check the labels in my freezer and I was a little worried because I bought a few things at Sam's the other day. Veggies were from Mexico, Birds Eye brand, and meatballs had an Atlanta address but no "made in..." so I'm going to guess they are made here or at least not China.

I feel like I have done good so far, now I haven't been shopping much in the past two weeks which is good for my credit cards and good for my No China policy. I have to say it has been easier than I thought. Gosh, I hope those words don't come back to haunt me.

All is not lost

After my careless mistake of buying the decorations on the 2nd, I returned the item to the store and I got my money back! So far as I'm concerned that took care of it and all should be forgotten.

The gentleman working was a older and I was a little nervous to do this return, to be honest I didn't think they would take it back, I asked him if he would humor me and make this return. I told him my NYR and he thought it was fabulous, with a smile gave me my money back!

I'd also like to note that I was at COACH the other day and found the pair of shoes that I have been looking for, checked the label and put them back. I don't think I can buy anything from them again for a long time.

Day Two

Well the year is off to a bad start......at Giant today I walked down the 50% left over Christmas decorations, I saw these window decorations of a Nativity Scene, how could I not buy them for $1.99?? Put it in my shopping cart, checked out, got home and a few hours later it hit me.....I never checked the label! There it was "Made In China," this is only day two, how could I have made this mistake already?

My last day of "Made In China"

Today was my last day to buy anything from China. I'm planning a baby shower for my girlfriend and I wanted to get a few things, like invitations and a few items for the party. Glad I did, everything was "Made In China." That shopping trip is making me realize that maybe I didn't pick a difficult New Years Resolution, maybe I made an impossible resolution.

I have a sudden urge to go shopping and stock up on items from China, but that would defeat the purpose of this experiment, I will just have to see how I do over the next 52 weeks.

Can I live in America without China?

I would love to try not buying anything from China for a year, heck I would love to buy only Made In America but I don't think that is possible, there is simply not enough items made here. I know that my husband will not participate and I will buy my daughter toys, it wouldn't be practical, but maybe I could just not buy Chinese stuff for me.

As I look at my married man's lingerie and I check the labels, Ed Hardy shirt - Made In USA, Juicy pants - Made In Glamorous USA (awesome! 2 out of 3 so far) and my Australian Uggs, well that's a no brainer, right? They must be made in Australia - I check the label and there it was...... Made In China.


I'm not happy about my boots but it's my own fault for assuming where they were made, I'm not going to check all the labels in my closet, if I'm going to remove them what's the point? Maybe now I'll check the labels even if I think I know where they are made.


Okay, so here is my plan, try to buy American made products when possible even if it has Chinese parts. (If it's assembled here at least Americans are employed) If I can't find it with Made In USA then I will buy it from any other country but China. And let's see how long I can make it, the family in the book went a full year and that is what my goal will be.


But what if I need a new cell phone? A new DVD player? Does any other country make those things?

Finshed the book

I finished the book this afternoon and it was what I expected, a big challenge for the family. But could I live without Made In China?

In the book, Sara, did not buy anything new from China but anything currently in the home could stay, Chinese made gifts were accepted and for the most items long as it was assembled in the US with Chinese parts were okay- as a last resort. That doesn't seem too hard, right?


Could I really not buy anything from China for a year?Do I have that type of discipline?