For most people its, taxes, mortgage interest, insurance, housing, food, utilities followed by auto, household, clothing, education and travel. The first six stay pretty much in this country and for me they represent 85% of my non-discretionary expenses.
I've looked over my expenses as well...
Taxes are going to S&L bailout, star wars, gadgets, Lockheed Martin (benefiting a small number of employers) Social Security, Medicare... yada.. yada.. Money that doesn't grow.
Mortgage Interest... Who are the largest insurance and re-insurance companies in this country? I think the largest insurance company in the world and the U.S.A. is AXA, a French company.
Housing... Most housing products are made overseas. Today I bought a 1X4X8 whiteboard from SWEDEN at Home Depot.
Food... Nafta gives us Mexican and South American treats.
Utilities... You might be buying power from Canada, right?
Auto... Lot of foreign makers doing well in the U.S.A.. Toyota, Mercedes, SAAB, Volvo, Hyundai, etc.... and most American cars have foreign parts but assembled in the U.S.
Clothing... Made in China by Kathy Lee Gifford.
Education... And everybody loves our school system?
Travel... money leaving the country.
So, I think you should be concerned. I wouldn't sweat it if you're making money in the market but those "American made" products are more often than not "foreign made".
P.S. John Deere is owned by a foreign company while Kubota is American. Go figure. |
