Target Onomics

Somebody wake me from my Target induced stupor. I am hypnotized by the big red bulls eye that drains my bank account dry week after week despite my better judgement. I can't resist the siren call of Target or its big sister Super Target and I'm not alone. Since there's a Target store on just about every street corner in the Suburbs, quitting my Target habit is like weaning myself from coffee ( if you know anything about me-not gonna happen!) Free and unbridled to roam the aisles during the workday, my stay-at-home mom friends and I are the perfect "targets" for this big black money sucking hole that masks as a discount store. Around here, it's socially acceptable to shop at SuperTarget while completely gauche to admit shopping (least be seen shopping) at Walmart Super Center. So this peer-anointed mecca to needless merchandise (well Target does sell groceries) is cause for a serious case of shopper's regret, an affliction for just about all who venture inside. Most of us arrive with the best of intentions: to pick up a birthday gift, shop for groceries, or maybe buy our children some stylish but affordable shoes or play clothes. Our perfectly justified expenditure suddenly and magically balloons into a budget-busting binge as we roam the aisles admiring assorted designer labels and designer items retooled for the mass market.

I call this phenomenon Target Onomics, the micro economy of this superstore that has people spending for the sake of spending. Do I really need a Isaac Mizrahi anything? or that pink Dyson customized for breast cancer awareness or any pink kitchen or household items for that matter? I am afraid there is no hope for me nor my cohorts. Just the other day, I applied and received my new REDcard (target visa) "where shopping just got a lot more rewarding" The jury is still out on just who is benefiting for this reward system but I venture to guess that Target Onomics knows the bottom line.