I have always loved shopping. But not just any kind–bargain shopping has always been my favorite.

Even when I was a teenager, I would take the $20 my Dad would give me for clothes, go to Goodwill and buy several outfits instead of one at the mall. I was an odd child.

Then I became a youth pastor’s wife and lived on love the first eight years of marriage. I decorated my house from clearance items on the Target end caps.

The past few years, I’ve passed my bargain shopping love down to my kids, my oldest especially. She stretches her dollar and likes to buy on sale. Even though I could pay more for some things, it’s not my preference.

But I’m learning there’s a cost to being frugal.

A few years ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice about the words child labor or fair trade.

And now I can’t stop thinking about the image of a skinny, scared, 8 year old boy chained to a chair and a sewing machine.

Making clothes I like to buy cheap.

Now, I’m not saying that every good deal translates into a worker across the globe losing their dignity. I just think we need to be aware that some deals are too good to be fair.

I’m getting an education about fair trade. I’m dipping my feet into the secret world as I try and make sure our products at Mercy House meet the standards and are even fair trade certified.

What is fair trade? It’s shopping fair, really…providing fair, decent wages for the workers who make the items we like to buy.

I have a long way to go. But I think part of the change is awareness. Next, it’s asking these questions:

• Why is this item so cheap? Is it an end-of-the-season clearance (yay!) or was it made in a sweat shop?
• Can I buy something similar (like a gift) while also supporting a life in another county?
• Why not buy less for more? Maybe it’s worth paying a bit more for something I know is fair trade.
• Educate yourself with information like this from Behind the Label (an inside look into the apparel industry). There are links to retailers who are conscientious about their workers. Sadly, t’s not a long list. This list of brands that have been accused of exploiting workers is startling.

I’m learning so much and I’m the first to admit that I have no idea where many of the items in my home or closets come from.  But I’m trying to educate myself. The main thing is supporting the creative artists in third world countries with a fair amount of money… even when it cost more than buying items cheaply.

Part of this is educating my children…my daughter and I are on a hunt for a fair trade book bag for school. Because it feels good to shop fair and empower someone on the other side of the world.

And now that I know the names and faces and have a relationship with artisans who make fair trade items, I might not be so frugal after all.

• My baby had tubes put in her ears and her adenoids removed on Friday morning. I don’t like things like this.
• The medical staff let her take some comfort items back to the OR, but the doctor had to stop mid-procedure to put the pacifier in the crying baby doll’s mouth. I think they have a new policy now. We like to shake things up.

• I learned that a large majority of kids come out of anesthesia hysterical, kicking and fighting. My kids is above average.
• Her recovery started out rocky when the nurse at the hospital mistakenly gave us the wrong ear drops.
• I learned if you put nasal spray in newly tubed ears, it burns very badly.
• My 3 year old could win an Olympic event in SCREAMING.
• It turns out I like the World Cup. Even when Africa wins.
• I sent my darling older kids to four days of church camp early Saturday morning. But I’m channeling my sorrow by gutting their rooms of all random paper crafts hoarded from year 2004.
• P.S. I never thought I’d be the Mom who puts her son’s clothes in zip lock bags with a label for each day.

• But I TOTALLY am.
• The camp has strict rules about head lice. If they find it, the children aren’t allowed in. I thought about scheduling a quick visit to the dentist. But thankfully, we passed!
• My toddler is trying on her role as an only child. She likes it, but I miss her brother and sister.
• I found out my 4 year old iPhone does not float in the commode. Don’t ask.
• How was your weekend?