There are many issues to consider when shopping. Obviously considering price is important but we should also be careful where the stuff that we buy comes from.

Everyone has probably heard about the sweat shops that some clothing companies use to manufacture their products. But it's not just our clothes that are produced under deplorable conditions. A lot of our food is grown using underpaid and mistreated farm workers. Because exploitation of employees is so common in developing third world countries where it is unknown whether or not a product was produced justly, it is reasonable to avoid all products that are imported from those countries with the exception of fairly traded products. You can follow some of the links below to see how prevalent abuse in the developing world really is. Purchasing of household items, computer equipment, children's toys, bike tires and many other things should be examined more closely.

Unfortunately, knowing about this exploitation doesn't significantly effect the way that most people shop. How we use our money is a huge indicator of how much we care about other people. For some people, they honestly have never thought about how they spend their money before. For most people there is a degree of apathy involved in their decision to continue buying things that are produced under exploitive conditions. How can I really claim to care about exploitation if I'm willing to take a kickback from it in the form of cheaper goods or the taste that I want? Proverbs say that "it is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud." (Prov 16:19, NET) James says, "Look, the pay you have held back from the workers who mowed your fields cries out against you, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived indulgently and luxuriously on the earth. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter." (James 5:4-5, NET) While we are not directly exploiting people, we are guilty of enjoying the fruit of their exploitation. These habits need to be analyzed closely and corrected.

For many people, the task of overhauling their lifestyle and spending habits seems daunting. Global trade is a reality but with some work we can learn to navigate within it in a healthy manner. The first thing that you can do is to simply adjust your lifestyle by learning to only buy what you truly need. By doing this, you will not only have more money to share with others, but you will also find it easier to avoid products of exploitation. For example, if you start eating more inexpensively you will cut back on processed foods that are high in sugar and other food grown in an exploitive environment. Eating for nutrition rather then taste makes it easier to shop responsibly as most inexpensive staples are locally grown. Another benefit of buying only what you need is that you have far fewer purchases to think about. For example, if you quit buying decorations or less than necessary utensils, you don't have to think about who made them.

Another step that you can take towards avoiding exploitive products is to start buying your necessities second hand, as much possible. Shoes are very difficult to buy for a reasonable price if you want to avoid sweat shop products. A very reasonable alternative is to buy them at a thrift store. This is also a great place to buy kids clothing, kitchen ware and furniture. You can also try to find things for free through word of mouth or through a local freecycle network. Secondhand items will save you money and are also better for the environment because no new item needs to be produced and old products can be spared from the landfill.

A small but not insignificant benefit of avoiding imports from the developing world is that you will end up buying more locally. This is good because fuel usage and the environmental effect of shipping can be minimized when things are consumed in the area that they are produced. In the case of fair trade importing, the good of supporting this market may outweigh the negative effect to the environment.

Please understand that I'm advocating local shopping simply because I think that this is better for the world's poor. Some people advocate shopping locally because they are interested in benefiting their own economy and consequently protecting themselves. This is an impure motivation and contrary to the heart of God. We all need to grow in love and sacrifice for those that have less than us.

• tropical fruit: bananas, pineapples, coconut, mangos, guava
• sugars, sugar byproducts, and food made with sugar: brown sugar, molassess, donuts
• out of season fruit: cucumbers in December (probably grown in Mexico)
• beverages: coffee, tea
• spices: cinnamon, cardamon, curries, pepper