I consider myself a pretty astute shopper.  Before I make any signficant purchase, I check multiple websites and read multiple reviews to find the best prices for the best products.  Heck, I'll even spend a solid few hours making sure I've purchased the best value tuna from Amazon's grocery service.  And yet, in spite of the many years spent building up my shopping savvy, I have a weakness that I have been unable to overcome:  the infomercial. 

It sneaks up upon me so unsuspectingly.  Usually when I'm flipping through the channels late at night when there's nothing actually interesting on.  And then suddenly, in between an I Love Lucy rerun on TV Land and a Very Special Lifetime Movie featuring a former B-Level actress playing a woman who has overcome sexual assualt/discrimination, I stumble upon what can only be described as:  "The PRODUCT of the CENTURY."  Of course, the particular product I see varies on a daily basis.  And upon first glance, I can't begin to fathom why one would need a giant blanket with sleeves.  Or a giant portable steamer. Yet inexplicably, the longer I watch, the more I decide that I must have it.  What is particularly frustrating is that I see through all of their marketing gimmicks.  The "Act Now and we'll double your order at no additional charge!" trick.  Or the "It's originally priced at $99.95, but we're not selling it for $99.95 or $79.95 or $49.95.  We're selling it for $29.95" gimmick.  Or even their perfectly scripted "True stories from actual customers."  And heaven forbid they put on an actual "doctor" recommending a product.  I can't pick up the phone fast enough.

But even though I've made a few info-mistakes in the past, I've decided to turn over a new leaf.  Buzzy catchphrases and "limited time offers" aside, I know it's time for me to stop accumulating junk that I never use like a food dehydrater, a 3-in-one pen, or a Flowbee.  And the next time Ron Popeil (the "set it and forget it" guy) shows up on my TV screen, I should quickly change the channel.  Because the last thing I need is more "stuff" in my life.  Then again, if someone were to make an informercial that sold something to help me to organize my clutter, I might just give them a call.  So long as they throw in the second one for free...