As a reforming bookaholic and bargain shopper, I recently borrowed—borrowed, please note—a fascinating audiobook from the library, Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture, by Ellen Ruppell Shell. It’s all about consumerism and it focuses particularly on discount stores—which happen to be the site of many of my purchases that I later regret. The book… Continue reading Response to Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture
Category: Money Behaviors
Takeaways from the Rebound and Recover Panel at the Texas Conference for Women
On November 10th, I was a member of the personal finance panel at the Texas Conference for Women in Houston. The panel, Rebound and Recover: Strategies for Emerging from the Recession and Taking Control of Your Finances, definitely delivered on the promise of giving the audience members practical skills and tools and I was delighted… Continue reading Takeaways from the Rebound and Recover Panel at the Texas Conference for Women
The Smartest Way to Save: Why You Can’t Hang on to Money and What to Do About It
Samuel K. Freshman and Heidi E. Clingen’s new book, The Smartest Way to Save: Why You Can’t Hang on to Money and What to Do About It, is so deceptively simple and reader-friendly that you almost don’t notice until you’ve finished how comprehensive it is. Replete with wise and immediately practicable suggestions about how to… Continue reading The Smartest Way to Save: Why You Can’t Hang on to Money and What to Do About It
Kick Yourself If Need Be…Don’t Use Shopkick!
Yet another inviting technological marketing ploy has emerged this season—just in time for holiday shopping. Shopkick, a new, free smartphone app, offers reward points for simply checking into stores, more points for scanning products, and still more points for buying. The points can be redeemed for gift cards at participating merchants—presently, Macy’s, American Eagle Outfitters,… Continue reading Kick Yourself If Need Be…Don’t Use Shopkick!
Shopping Support Buddies
A friend or family member is overshopping and this behavior is having serious negative consequences. Maybe you know what a deep financial hole this person has gotten into. Maybe you see the negative effect this behavior is having on important relationships or on the person’s work life or mental health. What can a friend or… Continue reading Shopping Support Buddies
The Curious Case of Parkinson’s Medication and Compulsive Behavior
A study in the recent Archives of Neurology documents the connection between certain Parkinson’s disease medications and a significant increase in the likelihood of an impulse-control disorder: buying, gambling, eating, or sex. The drugs at issue are dopamine-agonists, a class of pharmaceuticals that ease the difficult and frustrating motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. But patients… Continue reading The Curious Case of Parkinson’s Medication and Compulsive Behavior
Secrets for Cutting Down: What Others are Doing
Here are some stopping overshopping tips straight from the front lines of the struggle. They’re from the Web’s “frugalati,” bloggers who share their secrets for cutting down. Kathy M. Kristoff, of Tribune Media Services, assembled these and more in a January 3rd piece. Katie Dunsworth (www.smartcookies.com) touts “rathers”: “I’d like that pair of designer shoes,… Continue reading Secrets for Cutting Down: What Others are Doing
Cause Celeb: Are Celebrities Reflecting a Cultural Shift Toward More Mindful Consumption?
by Avis Cardella For decades now, one of our prevalent media images has been the celebrity who indulges in shopping sprees of epic proportions. We’ve all seen the magazine spreads and websites, the photographs of bag-toting actors, models, and musicians, caught in the act. The notion was simple: one of the rewards of big fame… Continue reading Cause Celeb: Are Celebrities Reflecting a Cultural Shift Toward More Mindful Consumption?
A Cautious Reminder About Credit Cards
At last, the provisions of the Credit Card Act of 2009 have taken effect. And yes, several of the most egregious credit card company practices—the sudden skyrocketing of interest rates, for example, or jacking up someone’s interest rate on one card if they’re late on payments to another—have been curtailed. But consumers must stay vigilant.… Continue reading A Cautious Reminder About Credit Cards
Recession Promotes Family Time Over Shopping
Jennifer Lance, writing in the January 7th Eco Child’s Play, calls our attention to a positive (and somewhat unexpected) consequence of the economic downturn. She cites a New York Times and CBS News poll which found that “more Americans are spending more time with family and friends and less time shopping during the recession.” The… Continue reading Recession Promotes Family Time Over Shopping