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The Tip is 'Ask Before You Buy' I went to a department store for a pair of dress shoes recently. The clerk helped me with three different pairs that I tried on. 'The Big Secret' was on the forefront of my mind so I asked, "Are these shoes imports?" The salesman responded that they were in fact imported. "Do you have any Made In America shoes like these?" I asked. To my surprise he said, "We have a whole line of Made In USA shoes." I was able to purchase the same color and style with the Made In USA label. These Made in America shoes were less expensive, came with a better warranty and were more comfortable. It's amazing how often this simple Made in US question yields unexpected and often times pleasant results. I now ask this question regularly, whereas before I would not have thought to ask for a Made in America alternative. More often than not, I can find a Made in America product of higher quality and at the same, or slightly higher price. Asking the question is so simple and can make a positive impact, in both the short and long term. Try it sometime. If you are like me, you may be surprised with how many Made in US products are out there. You will love it when you realize you are making a difference that benefits many. With your help America will be ours again and that is a good thing. Buying Tip Continued - Read more on Made in America Products by Wise Company Emergency personal do their best to keep people comfortable, but the best course of action is to be entirely self-sufficient. If you find you have to evacuate to a shelter, you ll be a lot more comfortable if you have everything you need for a few days. And, if you have to evacuate you probably won t have a lot of time to gather supplies, which is why it s a good idea to keep an old duffle or suitcase packed and ready with these 13 critical supplies in it or next to it: Bedding pillows, sleeping bags or a blanket. Reclining lawn loungers you may or may not get a cot. Reclining lawn loungers mean you re off the (Cold? Hard? Wet? Nasty?) floor. Rubber flip-flops so you don t have to walk barefoot, anywhere, ever. Towels and washcloths and don t underestimate the utility of a new or very clean car-washing chamois for use as a towel! Toilet paper Take the cardboard tubes out and you can crush an entire package of toilet paper rolls into a single gallon Ziploc bag. Comfort medicines such as sleep aids and aspirin Earplugs and an eye mask Emergency shelters rarely shut off all the lights. Entertainment a deck of cards can keep you busy for days. And, a big, dull paperback like War and Peace or Moby Dick gets a lot more interesting when there s nothing else to do. Solar cell phone charger and earphones if you can keep your smartphone charged you ll have access to music and games, not to mention being findable by concerned loved ones! Bicycle lock Keep your duffle and your chair together in one place. Emergency hand crank radio don t count on emergency personnel to keep everyone constantly updated. Pets and pet supplies Never leave your pets behind. Check back in the next post when we share a list of emergency items for pets. Dehydrated meals Yes, shelters likely provide food. But there s no guarantee how much or what kind. If you forget to bring some pet food, keep in mind that Wise Company dehydrated meals come in small Mylar envelopes and don t require anything but water to rehydrate and enjoy. And, they make excellent bartering tools! (We ve heard our dehydrated fruit with caramel sauce will get you nearly anything you need when supplies are tight.) |
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