torn between being frugal and doing what I think is right

**sue s** · 12-11-2008, 09:40 AM

I've been pondering the loss of jobs with all the layoff posts of late. Add to that the job that I have may not be all that secure as well, so a little unease here too. I usually shop for clothes at the thrift shops or used clothing places. But I really want to start buying american to support the few manufacturing jobs we have left here. There are actually american made clothes available on the net. They are not that much more expensive than a good pair of Levi's but still almost $40.00 each (ouch). They also have shirts and socks - not unrealistically priced for new stuff. I'm considering buying one outfit a year. May not be a lot of help, but it's the principle for me. What are your thoughts?

**MoonMommy** · 12-11-2008, 09:46 AM

Well, my husband is a manufacturing engineer, so I am a firm believer in buying american. However, it can be pricey and it can be hard to find things that are made here. It is sometimes surprising what you will find that is made in the USA. I have found shirts at Target. Plastic products at the dollar stores. Plastic toys at KMart. It gets tricky when you are looking for shoes or appliances/electronics.

However, I wouldn't go out of your way to buy something JUST to buy it. If I NEED something, then I look to buy American (even food). However, I won't buy something just to buy it even if it is made here. So, if it you enjoy shopping at the thrift store, then my advice is to continue doing so. Then when you are looking to buy something NEW, look for domestic products.

JMO.

**mommy4ever** · 12-11-2008, 09:47 AM

you have to do what you feel is right.

We do buy new stuff, I try to buy made in Canada, but apparently we're not a big manufacturing company, so the next is made in USA, we actually do find quite a bit. I look for fair trade and practice where I can. But within reason. My budget is stretched thin to pay off debts. We live on very little right now to get rid of that debt.

If you feel that buying $100 in US made product a year is a good way to support your country, then do it. You are supporting your country shopping thrift, you're recycling, you're supporting the American Thrift store and whatever cause they are supporting, work for the disabled, etc. So you're doing good there too. Maybe look at the foods you buy, and be sure you're getting as much US produce, canned goods etc as possible. That might be the bigger difference.

**homesteadmamma** · 12-11-2008, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by mommy4ever

you have to do what you feel is right.

We do buy new stuff, I try to buy made in Canada, but apparently we're not a big manufacturing company, so the next is made in USA, we actually do find quite a bit. I look for fair trade and practice where I can. But within reason. My budget is stretched thin to pay off debts. We live on very little right now to get rid of that debt.

If you feel that buying $100 in US made product a year is a good way to support your country, then do it. You are supporting your country shopping thrift, you're recycling, you're supporting the American Thrift store and whatever cause they are supporting, work for the disabled, etc. So you're doing good there too. Maybe look at the foods you buy, and be sure you're getting as much US produce, canned goods etc as possible. That might be the bigger difference.

This is what we do. I try to buy Canadian as often as I can, then I look to USA product. It is quite hard though. I agree with what's been said, you do what you feel is best for you.

**The Muse** · 12-11-2008, 11:08 AM

I think it takes a balance with what you can do (financially) and what you think is right.

I hate (strong word, but fitting) Walmart's business practices. I could save a lot of money by shopping at Walmart, but I'm in a financial position to put my money where my ethics are. So, I pay more to buy things elsewhere. Walmart keeps posting strong earnings, so I'm sure they don't miss having me as a customer, but I just can't shop there with a clear conscious.

There's a lot to be said for principles.

**Jeanna** · 12-11-2008, 12:30 PM

I think you should spend your money in the way that fits what you feel is part of your moral compass. I mean if you feel so bad about wearing the clothes you got super cheap then the bargin is not worth it. IMO. Buy USA

and be happy.

**Russ** · 12-11-2008, 02:26 PM

hope this will help, but don't hold me to the content of that link. I don't know how much is American made.

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/

**kestrel91316** · 12-11-2008, 04:33 PM

I buy as locally as I can, whether it's food or clothing or household items. Sometimes I have no choice to buy Chinese.

For household items of the non-electric persuasion, I shop the Lehman's catalog (they have a website) where almost everything is USA made, and you can tell what's Chinese because they just say "imported", lol. No clothing there, though.

**RetiredVeryEarly** · 12-11-2008, 11:28 PM

Many of us spend more on groceries than clothes so indeed that makes sense to focus on US made food. I certainly wouldn't trust organic food from China! But if you need to buy new, look for U.S., but otherwise stick with thrift. The other thing to note is that things can say Made in the USA and really they are made in sweatshops in Saipan (in the Marianas Trust Islands in the Pacific) so it heps to really KNOW where things are made, like by a company that you know where its factory is physically.

I hate Wal-mart too, for many reasons including products made in sweat shops in China, poor pay/treatment of workers (just heard they were busted again for forcing employees to work "off the clock", i.e. unpaid), ripping off taxpayers (by having so many of their employees on public health care), union busting, sex discrimination, you name it. So although they have low cost items I won't shop there for any reason.

**Nishu** · 12-11-2008, 11:50 PM

I think it makes just as much sense to buy used in the US. It still benefits the local economy.

**rainbowgc** · 12-12-2008, 01:41 PM

thanks for the link. With our economy in a shambles knowing I can buy American is great!

**katybug** · 12-12-2008, 04:19 PM

I do understand that you are torn. I've just discovered these fantastic socks I LOVE and I glanced at their label today (and no, I did not go buy more, really) they are made in the USA. W00T!

**MisaLady** · 12-13-2008, 07:21 AM

Given the choice to buy local, domestic, or international, I try to buy local, then domestic, then I'll go international. I'm willing to pay an extra dollar or two on most things to get them from somewhere local, but I won't pay a lot more for them.

Even more, it isn't quite as simple as that. A product can be assembled in the US but have parts that come from China, so that's tricky.

But, even so, I don't really have a problem buying from "elsewhere". I'm supporting somebody, somewhere. I try not to buy from sweatshops or places I know have crappy business practices. To me, that's more important than buying something "made in the USA". I'm feeling a little more conflicted on this because a girl that I know who comes from another country told me that even though it was rough work, in her hometown all hoped to be hired by a specific manufacturer who uses sweatshops/foreign child labor. She said that in many cases, it made the difference between being able to put food on the table and not. So I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Dealing with the underlying idea, though, of compromising your values to save money... I wouldn't do it unless I felt that I absolutely had no other choice. For instance, my husband and I don't shop at a particular big box store (not trying to start a debate here, so I'm leaving the name out, though most of you can probably guess who), even though they often have FANTASTIC deals. I don't like how they treat their employees, they use sweatshops, they don't pay their employees well, and they have some deplorable business practices. If I shopped there just because "the sales are good", I'd feel awful about myself. (Somebody once told me that "I know you have your principles and all, but you can save a lot of money this way", which just about sums up how a lot of people seem to feel about it.)

That being said, if I was having trouble feeding or clothing my family, would I be willing to shop there if I thought I HAD to in order to make ends meet? You can bet your last dollar that I would. Because you do what you have to do. Luckily, I'm not in a position where I have to make that choice.