Creating A Simpler Life Blog

MADE IN AMERICA!

12/30/2015

Make it YOUR New Years resolution to buy PRODUCTS MADE IN THE USA! It can be hard, but the least you can do is try. Especially when it comes to the big ticket items bought only once every 5-10 years like appliances and furniture. This was one of our resolutions for 2015, and I am proud to say, "We did it!" Check out Our Top 4 Made in the USA Buys of 2015.

WHAT DOES THE LAW STATE ABOUT WHERE A PRODUCT IS MADE?
Any product (not food) sold in the United States must say exactly where it is made. So if you look closely enough, a product should state, "Made in the USA, Made in Mexico, Made in China, etc." somewhere on the packaging. Just having a picture of an American Flag, or calling itself American, or using the name United States, or a picture of the USA or anything of the sort DOES NOT MEAN IT IS MADE IN AMERICA. In fact, this is the perfect scam! They hope you are making the assumption from the name or the picture that it is made in America because if you looked any closer (and actually read what it says) you would realize it is NOT!

It is getting harder and harder to buy items 100% made in the USA, but we can at least do our best to try!

MADE IN AMERICA - EITHER QUALIFIED OR UNQUALIFIED

If it is qualified, then the manufacturer must tell the story. For example: We recently purchased a Lazy-Boy Sofa, Chair, and Ottoman for our living room. We were told it was made in the USA which for us was the clincher. When we looked online, the furniture was labeled Made in AMERICA under the description, but it also went on to say, "WITH US & IMPORTED PARTS." They explained that it was made from parts that were also from other countries. Another recent example is Frigidaire. This past year we purchased several Frigidaire appliances all of which included a sticker that said "designed, engineered and assembled in the U.S.A." So basically, when the sticker or label states that it is American Made, or Made in the USA and it is qualified, the manufacturer provides specifics with respect to exactly what part is or is not American made.
If it is unqualified, then one can assume that either all, or nearly all, of the parts used to make it are made in America. In other words, some small amount or insignificant part may be made elsewhere, but they don't have to state it. However, they will be expected to prove their claim if challenged and large fines will be applied if they do not meet specific criteria.

CLEAR LABELING EXAMPLES:

Clearly states that it is Made in USA!

UNCLEAR or FALSE LABELING EXAMPLES:

Displays American Flag, but DOES NOT state Made in USA.

HOW TO KNOW FOR SURE:

Read labels carefully. DO NOT JUST LOOK AT PICTURES OR COMPANY NAMES. Make sure it clearly states "Made in America" or "Made in the USA."
Consult websites that name companies making products in the U.S.. My favorite is usalovelist.com because you can search it pretty easily. A few others you can also use are americansworking.com, madeinamericaforever.com, madeinusa.org.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR FULL MADE IN THE USA PLAYLIST ON YOUTUBE!

Check out our MADE IN AMERICA Pinterest Board for more brands and items that are proudly MADE IN THE USA!

Thank you for visiting!

SOURCES:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/02/made-in-america/index.htm

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GREAT GIFT IDEAS $15 and UNDER

12/5/2015

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Hate shopping? Clueless about what to give someone this year? Tired of giving boring gift cards? Want to give a gift that is a little more creative but doesn't take a lot of time to do? Are you on a budget or limited to a certain amount of money? Here are some great ideas that would even be great for the FAMILY, FRIEND, OR OFFICE GRAB BAG! The best part is....I've done most of the work for you!

All links below are affiliate links with Amazon. All shown prices are subject to change as many, if not all, are currently on sale for the holidays! Many of them can also be purchased elsewhere for better prices so always shop around, however I personally can not beat the convenience of shopping online! Be sure that you are also shopping through EBATES (sometimes there is cash back on Amazon) and that you are getting FREE SHIPPING if available. If I am not getting items shipped for free, then I am not buying! But thats just me....

1. FOUR Movies and Snacks

Buy a 4 Film Favorites Movie (that is what you will search for on Amazon or elsewhere). They range from $5.99 and up. Make sure to choose one that leaves a few extra dollars so you can add in a few boxes of candy or treats from the dollar store! You can choose the genre too: comedy, suspense, action, horror, sic-fi, love, etc. depending upon the people who will be participating in the grab bag :-)
Here are a few I found:

Eddie Murphy Collection - $7.50

Romantic Comedies Collection - $6.92

Brad Pitt Movies Collection - $5.96

2. Not Just a Mug!

Why not buy a mug thats fun? There are a lot of creative mugs out there, you just have to know where to look! The mugs below have pictures that change after hot liquid is added! Once you find an awesome mug, fill it with candy, some packages of hot chocolate, or even some bags of tea. Depending upon the cost of the mug, you can fill it up with lots of fun things.
Don't want to fill it with any of that? Then add a gift card to Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks!
Here are some fun mugs I found:

Changes when you add hot liquid! Cost $7.82

Add hot liquid and the stars turn into the American Flag! $11.99

Heart changes with hot liquid! $7.99

3. Reusable Handwarmers and Gloves

Buy a set of reusable hand warmers that can be recharged by boiling over and over again. Pair it up with an inexpensive set of magic stretch gloves! These gloves fit anyone, any size, any gender!

Reusable Handwarmers - $8.49

Stretch Gloves - One size fits all - $2.99

4. Key Chain and USB Charger Combo

Pair a USB charger that works with both Apple and Android with an interesting key ring! If you do a purse, fill it with a note and some change or put a fun picture or saying in a photo key chain! Use your imagination....

High Output 4 amp dual USB Charger - $7.49

Leather Key Chain Change Purse - $6.53

Snap in Photo Key Chain - $5.25

7-in-One Multi-tool Key Ring - $5.10

5. A Flask and a 'little something' to go with it!

Buy a flask and either a small bottle of 'something' to go with it or a gift card to the local beverage store! You can choose from a plastic flask similar to the ones issued to pilots in the military, or a stainless steel one. I like the plastic ones because they are unbreakable, lightweight, will not corrode or leak through seams, and can pass through a metal detector! The plastic one also has better reviews!

SportFlask- fishing, skiing and carrying flask- 16oz Military pilot issue - $6.99

Top Shelf Flasks Stainless Steel Hip Flask , 8oz, Black - $6.16

6. Infusion Water Bottle with Fresh Fruit!

These new water bottles are all the craze! Make it an even better gift by adding a few pieces of fresh fruit to the gift! To make it more fun add a small bag that includes one apple, one orange, and a few grapes! Or make it up of any fruit available at the time! You can choose a top or bottom loading!

Infuser Water Bottle-Carabiner-Insulative Neoprene Sleeve-Flip-Top Lid-Color Options-24 oz - $9.97

YEAR END SALE!! AquaFrut Large 32oz, BPA-Free, Flip Top Lid w Drinking Spout,Made of Tritan. Infusion Recipe eBook Included - $10.99

YEAR END SALE!! Bottom Loading, BPA Free Tritan Plastic- Leak Proof - 24oz - Infusion Recipe eBook Included - $10.99

7. For Wine Lovers...

Of course this is not enough money to get a good bottle of wine, however you can easily purchase a corkscrew and/or wine stopper or Wine Aerator Spout! You can add some cheese and crackers to make it more fun!

DRAGONN Luxury Corkscrew and Wine Stopper Set - $6.99

Luxury Wine Aerator Spout Pourer - w/Travel Carry Case - $9.95

OXO SteeL Wine Stopper and Pourer - $9.99

Corkcicle Classic Wine Chiller, Cork - $9.89

8. Stress Relievers....

Adult Coloring Books are the new craze....
Stress Balls - some are even scented for additional stress relief!
Pair with each other or add some Yogi Stress relief tea...

Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Animal Designs Paperback – April 12, 2015 - $8.76

Joyful Designs Adult Coloring Book (31 stress-relieving designs) (Studio) - $7.99

Isoflex Stress Relief (Colors may vary) - $5.55

Engage Multiple Senses for Maximum Relief (Choose from 3 scents) - $10.99

Honey Lavender Stress Relief Tea, 16 Tea Bags - $3.32

9. For the Kitchen....

Doesn't everyone have difficulty opening jars and bottles and other containers sometimes? This awesome 5 in 1 tool solves that problem! Add some other simple, and even fun, accessories, and BOOM, gift is done!
Other ideas are pot holders and towels! Just be creative and have some imagination....

5 in 1 Multi Kitchen Tool - $9.95

Silicone Heat Resistant Glove Pot Holder (Random Color) - $2.87

Kitchen Towel - $2.99

10. Garden Lovers....

For the avid gardener there are lots of ideas! I recommend staying away from buying tool sets unless you want to spend more money....a good gardener really needs quality tools and the set will not be quality if it is under $15. However, if it is a single tool, or other accessories, then go for it!
Add some packages of Heirloom seeds too! My favorite (and easiest) to grow is stringbeans!

Fiskars Garden Bucket Caddy, Bucket Not Included - $9.69

Bamboo Work & Gardening Gloves for Women & Men - $8.99

Fiskars Traditional Bypass Pruning Shears - $9.86

Fiskars Softouch Weeder - $5.49

Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean - Heirloom Seeds - $4.20

BONUS IDEA:
For the Birds...

Give a bird feeder and add some seed! You don't have to give the whole bag of seed either, just give the bird feeder filled and ready to go!

Holly Berry Gilded Chalet Wild Bird Feeder - $8.99

Birdscapes Clear Window Feeder - $7.74

Wild Bird Food 10-Pound Bag - $4.98

Deluxe Treat Blend, 4-Pound Bag - $5.98

OTHER IDEAS TO SEARCH ON YOUR OWN:

For the dog lover...Picture frame for a pet and maybe some treats to make home made! Or just stay with a dog theme....
For the Comedian....buy comedic gifts like whoopee cushions, funny t-shirts, etc.
For the Happy Couple ... buy couples gifts like matching t-shirts, mugs, and wine glasses. Pair it with something that goes along like wine or a gift card.

Be creative and have some fun!

Hope this post helps you do your holiday shopping this year ;-)

Thanks for visiting!

Sincerely,

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MADE IN AMERICA!

GREAT GIFT IDEAS $15 and UNDER

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