Impulse control

Once the shock of Wednesday's layoffs started to fade, I found myself wrestling with the urge to run out and splurge on some extravagant purchase – a new Louis Vuitton purse instead of the used one I bought, the Macbook I've always wanted, a Wii, a flat screen TV – something that would set me back a chunk of cash. I've been trying to figure out why.

I think it comes down to a weird mixture of relief (yes! I still have a job and money!) combined with a bizarre sort of defiance. Take that, reality! I refuse to acknowledge how awful this is, and to prove it, I'm spending money I don't need to spend!

And then, of course, getting a new toy can give your mood a nice lift when you are down and stressed out. I'm not going to lie to you. I am down and stressed out. So far I haven't bought anything, but I’ve definitely got the itch.