Going to Sephora always gives me a sense of empowerment and accomplishment. Most people can't afford the luxury and would rather buy Covergirl at CVS. I, on the other hand, cannot possibly envision myself walking into a Walgreens to browse the Wet N Wild beauty isle. One can only imagine the horror I faced as the cashier told me that my credit card had been declined. I admit, I'm not always the most money savvy person, but this was an all time low.

Here are some possible reasons my credit card was declined at Sephora:

1. It was God's way of saying the world isn't ready to see me use Urban Decay's Naked Palette.

2. In a classic "me" move, I donated way too much to charity.

3. The "EMV chip" is actually a microphone and the credit card company correctly determined that I don't deserve nice things after hearing me repeatedly say "Steve Bannon" in casual conversation.

4. The payment I got for donating plasma has not yet been processed.

5. I have too much money in my bank account but will never admit it because I am far too modest to do such a thing.

6. America has a flawed economic system or whatever that Marx guy said about capitalism in those economic textbooks.

7. The cashier somehow found out I cheated on them with Ulta.

8. I'm a millennial so I'm too lazy, dumb, selfish and only exist to empty everyone's bank accounts to deserve NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer.

9. I can't shop on an empty stomach and instead spent a thousand dollars at Whole Foods on a small bag of organic snack mix.

10. Despite our country's perfect higher education system, I have somehow accumulated $40,000 of student loan debt and can't afford to look nice.