“Do I feel lighter or heavier with the thought of purchasing this item?” This is the question blogger Jill Chivers suggests asking next time you’re tempted to make a purchase. She used this technique on a recent shopping trip when she found a heavily discounted sweater that she fell in love with. As she went… Continue reading A Quick Question That Could Save You Hundreds
Category: Retail Psychology
The Pursuit of Something Greater
Becoming Minimalist blogger Joshua Becker reflects on what holds value in his life now, as compared to his younger years. Sharing the story of his infatuation with his first car and how it lost its glow as he moved on to bigger and newer vehicles, Becker realized that “when something better comes along, the old… Continue reading The Pursuit of Something Greater
The Truth About Bargain Shopping
“Remember: it’s only a bargain if you needed it in the first place, otherwise it’s a waste.” Live Simply by Annie’s author reminds shoppers of the pitfalls of sales, which include the marketing professionals who know exactly what it takes to make us whip out our credit cards. She discusses the chemical changes that occur… Continue reading The Truth About Bargain Shopping
Self-Worth to Net Worth: 12 Keys to Creating Wealth Inside and Out
This wise and comprehensive book begs to be read—and digested—very slowly. In it, Cia Ricco and Belinda Rosenblum have managed to make important and highly sophisticated psychological concepts very, very accessible. From the get-go, they emphasize the importance of personal responsibility, going so far as to ask the reader to sign an agreement to further… Continue reading Self-Worth to Net Worth: 12 Keys to Creating Wealth Inside and Out
“If Money Doesn’t Make You Happy, Then You Probably Aren’t Spending it Right”: Part 2
In the earlier posting on this article, we looked at Dunn, Gilbert, and Wilson’s persuasive assertion that “examining the basic scientific facts about happiness” would enable people to significantly increase the happiness their money could bring them. We also looked at the authors’ first three (of eight) principles for doing so: buy experiences rather than… Continue reading “If Money Doesn’t Make You Happy, Then You Probably Aren’t Spending it Right”: Part 2
Influence. You Already Have It.
Becoming Minimalist blogger Joshua Becker write of influence: “…{I]t would be wise for us to stop always asking how to acquire more and instead, start asking what to do with the influence we already have.” Becker believes that once we realize the scope of our influence, we can begin to focus on being a positive… Continue reading Influence. You Already Have It.
When Today’s Deal Is Tomorrow’s Regret
Deal sites like Groupon or LivingSocial, which send weekly or even daily emails to subscribers, offer everything from clothing to romantic getaways for a reduced price. However, the New York Times suggests that many users aren’t getting exactly what they bargained for. Lured in by the reduced price, some users are disappointed a day late… Continue reading When Today’s Deal Is Tomorrow’s Regret
Needs vs. Wants
Financial Therapist, Coach, and Mommypreneur Bari Tessler Linden believes we need to clarify the difference between needs and wants if we are to have a healthy relationship with our money. She suggests we start by examining our past, asking ourselves if our needs as a child were met. If not, we may turn to overspending… Continue reading Needs vs. Wants
Shopaholic Says Shoplifting Arrest Was Her Wake-Up Call to Get Help
Ronnie Haring, a 38-year-old mother, is one of 6% of Americans struggling with compulsive buying. She describes the highs she experiences while shopping, as well as the shame she feels after returning home. She incurred thousands of dollars in debt by buying items in bulk: shirts in every color, every scent of hand soap, etc.… Continue reading Shopaholic Says Shoplifting Arrest Was Her Wake-Up Call to Get Help
How to Battle Shopping Addiction
Self-control issues and being surrounded by a culture of materialism contribute to the problem of shopping addiction, according to Terrence Shulman, of the Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft and Spending. Are you unable to stop yourself from buying? Do you have conflicts with your spouse over purchases? Ever lie about what you’ve bought? You may… Continue reading How to Battle Shopping Addiction