What time did you wake up this morning? 3:30 am to get the super-extra-early-bird deal on the polyester blend socks at the department store?

Because these socks are a big deal to you, right?

I mean, you’ve spent weeks looking at the ads in the paper, checking out websites during lunch break at work, clipping the cupons that came in the Valpak mailer so that you can get another discount on top of the saving you’ll already be bragging about.

Not to mention that you rarely, if ever, wake up this early. So if you’re going to be setting that alarm to such an appalling hour, it better be for something good … like these socks.

Shopping insanity. From arieff.com

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I’m not trying to knock down the art of coupon-clipping, conscious shopping or using your money wisely by going for the sales on days like “black Friday.” But I am saying there’s something disgustingly fascinating about America’s fixation on the material world.

I’m one of those gals who doesn’t like shopping. Maybe one of the few who doesn’t.

Crowded malls make me feel claustrophobic. Stepping into Forever 21 doesn’t make my head spin with possible outfit ideas, it makes me nauseous with thoughts of how much money people spend there.

Buying stuff isn’t bad, as long as it’s not done in excess. But buying things for the sake of buying something, to come home with bags full of things that you’ll wear maybe once, or forget you even have … it just seems like that money could have gone to better use.

We place so much value on things that collect dust.

What would happen if you woke up at 3:30 am to go drive out to see a friend who lives 3 hours away, just to surprise her with a cup of coffee and a warm hug to start her day?

What happened if relationships got us jumping out of bed before the sun rises, instead of a great deal on socks?

If you’re out shopping today, I hope that you really did get something that will add value to your life!

But more than that, I hope that your early adventures this morning made you examine what makes you get out of bed so early … hopefully there are more reasons than socks.