We’ve all seen the commercials and the magazines depicting the Perfect Holiday. The perfect place settings and wonderful home surroundings ensure that smiling kids and grandparents are having the time of their life. Without the celebratory trappings, the Holiday just won’t be right. Or will it? Already we can see matching plates, glasses, napkins, table… Continue reading Living the Perfect Holiday Picture
Category: Retail Psychology
How Mirror Neurons Can Part You and Your Money
Mirror Neurons are a scientific way of saying that when we see a beautiful model wearing a great outfit in Vogue magazine, we want to buy it because we project how beautiful we will look and feel wearing that outfit. Basically, we envision ourselves as a mirror image of the model. This method of marketing… Continue reading How Mirror Neurons Can Part You and Your Money
The Shopaholic – Are You One? Part 1
It seems like there is tremendous wealth all over the world doesn’t there? We are hit with TV shows highlighting millionaires and all their toys; rich “Housewives” of whatever major city, and HGTV with their international home buyers. These shows become the standard – it seems everyone has wealth and toys everywhere so why shouldn’t… Continue reading The Shopaholic – Are You One? Part 1
You Spend More on Accessories When Purchased with a Big Item
We are likely to spend more money for accessories when purchased with an expensive item like a new dress, sofa, or car than if we purchased them alone. Here’s why, and how you can save money by avoiding it. My husband and I bought a new living room sofa that was a fair amount of… Continue reading You Spend More on Accessories When Purchased with a Big Item
Catch the Scam – Use Your Thinking & Feeling Brains
I received a letter in the mail from US Airlines suggesting I’d won 2 round-trip airline tickets. The letter just didn’t feel right according to the Feeling side of my brain – the side we use for most of the day on auto-pilot. And, my brain was right. But I didn’t figure out exactly why… Continue reading Catch the Scam – Use Your Thinking & Feeling Brains
Scams & Mind Games Parting You and Your Money
‘Tis the season to be…Scammed. I’ve had two in the last 2 weeks, and you really need to be on your toes to catch them. The Time Warner magazine renewal is especially obtuse these days. You certainly wouldn’t call it customer friendly or brand building! I had 4 magazines for 1 year free as the… Continue reading Scams & Mind Games Parting You and Your Money
6 Questions to Slow a Shopaholic Part 5
These tips are taken from “To Buy or Not to Buy: Why We Over Shop and How to Stop” by April Lane Benson, PhD (2008) as published in Adrian Furnham’s most recent book “The New Psychology of Money”. The trick to changing a behavior is to understand why you are doing it, notice when you… Continue reading 6 Questions to Slow a Shopaholic Part 5
Have You Done the CVS Money Run with Her?
Thanks to my colleague Tod for this title and question that prompted my thinking. Tod has been dating a woman for about a year, and his friends inquired whether Tod had “done the CVS run with her yet?” Tod sought clarification. Apparently, it is a wonder that a woman can spend $200 in CVS in… Continue reading Have You Done the CVS Money Run with Her?
Pregnant Women are Money Gold Mines
Wow! Out of all the things women think about when they’re pregnant, have you ever considered yourself to be a money target for retailers? Here’s why they target women & money, and how to stay grounded with disciplined money behaviors during this new phase of life. It’s hard enough to manage money throughout our busy,… Continue reading Pregnant Women are Money Gold Mines
A Look at Inside Out: Can Sadness Ultimately Bring Happiness?
Compulsive buying, like so many other self-defeating habits and addictions, is often an attempt to anesthetize negative feelings, diminish their intensity, or suppress them altogether. Pixar’s latest film, Inside Out, trumpets the value of feeling all of our feelings, whether they are Anger, Sadness, Joy, Fear, or Disgust, the five feelings personified as characters in… Continue reading A Look at Inside Out: Can Sadness Ultimately Bring Happiness?