2.17.2009

The Post About My Motives are Fine

Rationalization. It's defined as "attributing one's actions to rational and creditable motives without analysis of true and especially unconscious motives."

If it were a spiritual gift, I would be the giver. If it were a white Spring handbag, I would carry it. If it were a box of Cheez-its, I would eat it up in one sitting.

This problem lends itself most powerfully in the arena of my finances. I can rationalize a purchase in less than 15 seconds with no turning back. I'm a victim of my own past selling tactics. When I sold handbags at a department store, I would present a purchase to a woman like so:

"This handbag is normally $450, but it's on sale today for 60% off. (wait for it...) AND I can give you a coupon for an additional 15% off. You will save almost $300."

They still paid more than $150 for the bag, but rarely could a customer resist the pitch.

I'm no different. In my closet hangs an Emory Alumni fitted t-shirt - size small. I'm an alumni, but not a fitted small, but the shirt was $2. So I rationalized it. Red clearance stickers are the worst. They're usually found in the section of a store isolated in the back where the slim can be picked with less chaos. That's where you'll find me. Justifying a shoe that's too small, a dress that's too big, and books I already own.

The Mt. Everest of this mindgame is Ikea. It's my own personal Mecca. I can rationalize those purchases on distance alone, since the closest store is more than 150 miles away. I went there yesterday and here are a taste of the spoils:

As for this gorgeous pillow:

It's washable, matches more than one room in my house, and cost only $12.99. Scan it please.

Do you struggle with rationalization?

UPDATE: I actually roadtripped to Ikea with two co-workers - Phil and Risa (names changed to protect the guilty - you can read more about them here.) Phil didn't appreciate that he wasn't namedropped in the above post. So I will say this: I'm a "social" rationalizer compared to his hardcore got-to-have-it addiction.

4 comments:

  1. I love the pillow! How about a painting to go with that!!! :) Shall we say the next God's Masterpiece Painting Event!?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jamie,

    Heidi and I love Ikea. We use to go there all the time in Germany. Glad you didn't spend too much money..I wish I would of thought of Ikea when I was driving through Atlanta today..

    ReplyDelete
  3. Is it just me, or did you basically say that you are a crackhead who drove with other crack smokers to a crack house that usually has lots of crack for a great price?

    This must explain why you RARELY invite me to go shopping. I ruin the fun.

    There MUST be a nice balance between the two of us. We must find that person so he/she can make both of us normal.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Strings-Make it so.

    Chris-Now you will remember.

    Caryann-You do ruin shopping fun, with all your talk about stewardship and accountability. Boo.

    ReplyDelete

Don't be afraid if I chase your rabbit comment...

 
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