There are so many commentators stressing the very obvious, very real and very important downside of the recent market tilt that in this Mind Over Money post we’ve decided to risk looking hopelessly Panglossian by discussing an …
psychology
Study: The Rich Really Are More Selfish
“Lower-class” individuals—i.e., folks without much money or education—demonstrate more compassion and empathy than their wealthy counterparts, according to a series of psychological studies. In social scientist speak, …
How the Internet Is to Blame for Your Overspending
For eons, the concept of keeping up with the Joneses fueled people’s desires to acquire the markings of wealth and show them off. With the rise of the Internet, the Joneses aren’t just next door or around town—they’re …
The Folly Of Trying To Time The Market
Recent fits and starts in the stock market prompt us to visit a topic we spent a few pages on in our book but have yet to tackle in a Mind Over Money post. Three topics, really, but we’ll tackle two of them in follow-up posts: …
Want Happiness? Don’t Buy More Stuff — Go on Vacation
When it comes to spending money on things or experiences, the research is clear: Doing brings more happiness than owning.
Study: Why You Should Shop for Groceries with a Cart, Not a Basket
Weird! You may have heard the theory of shopping for groceries with a basket, rather than a full-size shopping cart, as a trick to limit spending, especially on impulse purchases. Logically, this makes sense: With less space to …
Money Can’t Buy Happiness — Or Can It?
Many people get sucked into the belief that having more money is the key to a better life. But it’s not.
“Money leads to autonomy but it does not add to well-being or happiness.”
Conscious Spending Sets You Free
Not all spending is bad. When your spending truly reflects your goals, values, and priorities, it can lead to a more fulfilling life.
DVDs in the ‘Disney Vault’: B.S. Manipulative Marketing at its Best (Worst?)
Every now and again, Disney pulls movies out of the marketplace and places them out of consumer reach in the vaunted “Disney Vault.” On the surface, this makes no sense: Why would a company, which obviously makes money by selling …
Everything You Need to Know About Consumers, Part II
In Part I of this consumer factoid extravaganza, we learned all sorts of weird info about spending habits, housing costs, and family expenditures. For the sequel, we’re dealing with moms, Mexicans, McDonald’s, men’s dwindling DIY skills, the earning power of maiden names, how using a cell phone can be a sign of poverty, grandparents …
Retailer Loyalty Reward Programs Mean Never Having to Pay Retail
Store reward programs seem like a great deal for shoppers, with instant discounts and special offers not available to non-members. But there are tradeoffs to all these deals. Retailers haven’t designed and instituted these programs out of pure kindness and the generosity of their bottom-line hearts, and at some point the savvy consumer …