I had to go to the store today. It doesn't matter what I had to buy. It just matters that I had to go to the store today. The thing that I needed was pretty important and I had to buy it before tomorrow. You know, a last minute Christmas present or that one last ingredient you forgot to buy. The whole purpose of your trip is to purchase that one item.

So you drive to the store, go in, and find the item you are looking for. You walk to the checkout line and search for the fastest line. Remember now, the whole purpose of this trip is for that one little item you are holding in your hand. After ten minutes in line you finally give up a few of your precious dollars for this item. The clerk places it in a bag, sets it on the counter, and says, "have a nice day". At that point, you walk out the door, get in your car, and drive back home.

Now let's review. You have spent money and at least a half hour of your valuable time to obtain this item. Please help me understand why once you have paid for it you can at that point completely forget about it, leave it on the cashier's counter, and walk right out the door? Are we completely mad? I never go out, get in my car, and completely forget about where I am going. I never pick up the item at the store and then while I'm standing in line just walk out the door and just forget to pay for it. Of course not you say. No one forgets to pay for an item at a store. Shouldn't it be just as obvious not to forget an item you paid for? If it is so obvious, then why do we all do it?