Lifestyle Absolution

In Paul Tournier's Guilt and Grace, the Christian psychiatrist relates how he agonized over an expensive vacation he proposed to take with his family. He finally went to the trouble of consulting with a working-class acquaintance regarding his plans. Tournier specifically wanted someone who could not afford such a vacation to tell him this extravagance was ok. The psychiatrist received the man's blessing and the family went on vacation.

I have been reminded of this anecdote as I listen to and read Dave Ramsey, the Christian financial drill sergeant whose anti-debt mantra is heard on the radio, internet, in churches, and on television. I have heard him tell of people coming to him, asking for his approval for some financial transaction or puchase. I get the idea that these people are not just asking whether they can afford the item in question.

It seems like people are hungry for assurance that their financial decisions are sound, not just from a purely practical perspective, but from a moral one as well. There are many examples in the wider culture as well (carbon credits, fair trade fill-in-the-blank, virtuous hybrids, wicked SUV's - the list is long).

I think there is a business opportunity here, for a service that could perform some kind of lifestyle audit, and then, after a few obligatory fees and adjustments, confer some kind of formal approbation on a person's economic arrangements. It could be quite lucrative, because one would have to pay a hefty upfront fee for the initial consulation, and then a subscription to maintain their good-standing and approve the odd ad hoc purchase. Maybe there could be a per-incident fee, with consultants standing by.

The trick for such a business would be conveying the necessary moral authority. Maybe a connection with a non-profit. Something to keep thinking about.