We know the price of everything and the value of nothing

But have you got a good deal ? Price is king , that's for sure ! Whatever we see advertised on T.V the price is the key focus . I found this mantra taken to new levels recently on a holiday advert that showed two pairs of feet happily walking through the surf on a sunset beach... The accompanying conversation was " It really makes your holiday when you find out how much more the couple next door paid  " Hence the smugness of paying less was essential to the holidays enjoyment it was suggested . Or the fact that some ones paid more . Who cares ? If that sort of thing  makes  your holiday then get a life ! Of course knowing someone else has paid more for a thing does make some peoples day .
   This mindset of pay the least you can becomes a bit inadvisable when you decide to buy something second hand , but its still there banging away in the back of your mind . I have a friend who was looking for a car , he found  one but it was a little more than the going price , but it was in a much better than average condition  . He didn't buy it though because he couldn't bare to think he would have had to pay slightly  over the odds for it . He would rather let the car go and not have it at all than suffer this " humiliation " , despite it making sense . Illogical ? It was an idea he just couldn't get passed .
   I found myself in a similar situation a while ago . I bought the car , but for months afterwards I kept finding myself saying that yes it was a fantastic car , but you've guessed it ; I had paid a little too much . The fact it was worth doing so still could not conquer this silly lowest price is best ideology  . I guess its the life long accumulation of consumerism brain washing suggesting that you re  more  clever than everyone else if you pay the least or lowest price  . This flattery is used in sales promotions in shops . Vanity , that's their  target .  It works . After all you re no mug are you ? Just don't use this eye for " saving " money all the time or it will backfire . I guess its all relative , but thats the problem . Its a mindset that can over rule common sense .