necessities.

I have not given up on things I already own that have been made in china.  That would mean I would not be able to use my computer, ipod, remote control, wear most of my clothes, wear my shoes, and use most of my baking equipment.  I'm really hoping that this experiment will make be aware of my purchases.  Is that thing I want really necessary?  Now, the difficulty comes when I actually do need something.  Should I make exceptions?  Even if I have my mom buy the necessities, it is as though I bought them.  And since I'm trying to decrease my consumption of "things," having someone else buy the item would defeat my experiment.  What kind of exceptions should I make?  Should I let them slide if they are not directly for me?

Example #1:  Lightbulbs

I need to buy lightbulbs for the bathroom.  When I picked up the box, the print on the bottom said clearly  "Made in China."  Do I buy it or just wait for my mom to get them?  Isn't that the same thing??

Example #2: Birthday Candles

All birthday candles are "Made in China."- The author of the book "A Year Without Made in China" pointed out this problem, but I brushed it aside since I didn't think I would need to buy candles since I have some at home.  However, I had to buy candles for a friend's bday cake, and actually stood in the aisle for five minutes debating with myself.  I bought them.

Example #3: Participating in group gifts

I know that most Apple products are made or assembled in China.  I recently contributed to the purchase of an Ipod touch for a friend's birthday.  

Is it okay to include these types of exceptions in my experiment?  I guess it's my own experiment and I can make my own rules to it...

Well, I did okay today : ) I had to buy cleaning supplies for home.  I was dreading the label reading, but I was pleasantly surprised.  The toilet bowl brush, toilet bowl cleaner, and Lysol spray were made in the U.S.  The strange thing was that all the rubber gloves, regardless of company, were made in Malaysia.