We had to buy a couch, as ours was basically dead. We could have gone to Ikea or Value Furniture to save money. But, we went with Laz-Z-Boy not only for the quality, but because their furniture is totally made in the USA. We could have spent about 2/3rds what we did on a cheaper made in China sofa, but we decided to bite the bullet and go with American Made and better quality as well.

I've also been looking at the tags of the clothes I buy. It's hard to find American Made clothing, but I'm looking. I figure I can get away with a little less clothing while helping to employ other Americans.

I wish we had more options. Some products simply aren't being made in the USA anymore. All three of our cars were made here, though. Although my daughter and my husband have Japanese made cars, we bought those which were made in US plants. My car is a Chrysler and we made sure, even though it was used, was made in the USA before we bought it.

I can't buy everything American, but I'm trying. I have to get the data on how many jobs would be created every ever person only spent like $65.00 per year on American goods. I think it is several million jobs! We're trying really hard to look beyond the tips of our own noses.

I do not pay much attention

Yes, I go out of my way to try to buy American. I even have a day a week where I will refuse to buy anything from China.

I haven't really paid much attention, I really want to start though. I need to see if I can find a list of companies that make their products in the US because I am not really aware of what companies do and which ones don't

Buying totally USA made products is extremely difficult, if not impossible. With so many products that have huge numbers of parts, like cars or computers, many of the parts aren't made here. Even food products often have ingredients not grown here. Orange and apple juice are two examples. And, unfortunately, some USA products just don't have the quality/features you are looking for. Take cameras. Is there ANY made here? Or clothing. I'm wearing Lee Jeans made in Mexico. Chevy Camaro (American Muscle) made in Canada. The list goes on and on. If I can get the quality and features at a reasonable price, I'm all about Made in the USA. And when the big corporations came back here and make their products here, I'll be even MORE made in the USA!

I LIKE Made in the USA stuff, but oh well, I'd rather have stuff that is cheaper, not american made.

Honestly, I don't pay much attention to where something is from.

For so many things you don't have a choice - ex. where is your cell phone made? But if I have a choice, I will buy USA made products.

i'm a full time unpaid intern, so i can't afford to buy products made in the US.

I don't really try to buy things made in America. I don't really care one way or another.

If I had the extra money I would buy American... for example I can get pregnancy tests for 16 cents each from china, $7+ for an American made one of the same sensitivity.

If given the choice and the price discrepancy is not too great, I will buy American. There are some items I can't though. Like the $400 Vitamix made in the U.S. versus the China-made Ninja that is 1/3 the cost.

Honestly, I am so broke these days that I buy what I can afford (weighing cost and quality). I do try to support local businesses and American made things if I can afford to though. Working at my family's store I know that often the cheap things are lesser in quality and that warehouse stores aren't always the cheapest for everything.

Thank you all for your input. (Thanks, Lauren, I appreciate what you are doing.)

I am well aware that many things simply can't be bought 100% American Made. My question was, "Are you trying?" Picking apart that some stain on my sofa may have been made in India or something is muddying the waters. The fact that the rest of the sofa (if the stain on the wood, which there isn't any wood stained and showing, as it's all fabric on the outside) was made BY Americans, giving them jobs, in my country. Yes, the springs, fabric etc is all American made on our sofa. We're becoming more aware of this issue, and my husband even bought an American made wind turbine recently. Sometimes you have to look.

No, you can't buy everything 100% American made anymore, but that wasn't my question. I asked if you were thinking about it and at least trying when it is possible to do so. Some are and some aren't.

I know what it's like to be out of work, but if we don't help our fellow countrymen, how can we expect them to help us when it's our turn to need a job? I now work for an All American small business that has ALL it's business in the USA. Of course, we're a health care service, so it's a lot easier for us than some other professions. There ARE products out there that are made in the USA and many of them are not all that much more expensive. Not everything and it's not always possible, but at least To at least be thinking of the issue and looking for things that will help us out of this Lesser Depression (which is what is is being called by some) is probably a good idea.

Antiques don't employ all that many Americans, except those who work in the shops, so, no that isn't what I mean. The people who once made this stuff are dead and not contributing and needing the economic input, due to... being dead. Things that are made recently is what I'm talking about, if you're looking to buy new. For instance, my husband has a Japanese truck, BUT it was made in the USA from USA made parts (mostly) by Americans, when things were about the bleakest for most Americans (Bush Administration) by a Japanese company that at the time employed more Americans in the USA than most of the Big Three did.

In today's climate, I at least think we have to do what we can to help out our fellow countrymen and at least try to look beyond the tips of our own noses. We may not be able to succeed in every attempt (the aforementioned cameras etc) but at least to be upright and aware of our surroundings is a good start.

If you're not doing it and don't think it matters, I guess there's no reason to get upset at those who are trying. I simply asked a question. In some studies if every American spent just an extra $65.00 on American Made goods in a year, the economy would significantly improve. Here's a quote that helps: if all of us spent an additional $65.00 this year on American Made as opposed to imported goods we could create about 100,000 new jobs. In this ever-challenging economy we find ourselves in, the buying decisions we make and their impact on the fiscal security of our country are becoming more apparent. Awareness was my main point, not making your life 100% American Made (which is basically impossible. But, every time we buy American, it lets Big Business know we are doing something for the entire country, not making the top 3% richer with cheap imports.

So, NO, everything in your life doesn't have to be nor can be American made but just a few dollars can make a difference in our entire economy.

Blessings to all.

But easier said than done.

I buy american as often as I can. I dont care if it cost more. I wont buy it if the quality is not there though.