Unlike our dear Kristin, I do not have the luxury of living life single and carefree.  Well, I live fairly carefree — just not single.  And while the thought of dating sends shivers down my spine (and not the good kind of shivers), there is one BIG advantage to that lifestyle that I’ve really grown to miss:  guilt-free purchases.

Bound by Purchase Rationalizations

Now, don’t get the wrong idea — I don’t live in a 1950′s marriage where I need to ask my husband permission to buy anything – not even close.  And our incomes are quite comparable.  But it’s just one of those things that I feel compelled to do – lie about each and every unessential purchase until it fits within an exquisitely-wrapped package that I can stow away into the “it’s completely necessary” section of my brain.

I’ve gotten quite creative with it, really.  “Honey, I had to buy a new $25 lip gloss because I read a rumor that this line is being discontinued, and it’s my favorite color ever, and everyone always compliments me when I wear it, and it is a very neutral color that will never go out of style, and I’m thinking of wearing it as part of my Halloween costume when I go as Sarah Palin, so really, it counts as part of the costume cost.” *gasps for air*

(In case you’re wondering, yes, that conversation actually took place back in October. And no, I did not dress up as Sarah Palin…nor was that ever really a serious consideration, truth be told.)

Even though not one part of that conversation was actually requested (nor listened to) by my husband, it is a completely necessarily action to be taken after such a purchase.  It’s a ritual, really, and the purchase would not be complete without it.

So while I may long for Kristin’s guilt-free shopping sprees, I’m really quite satisfied about one thing – after all the thought that goes into them, my purchases are truly earned.

-Anne Houseman