In Hard Times, People Who Grew Up Poor Spend More, Cut Less
It may seem, counterintuitive, but the latest research is clear: Poor people react to hard economic times by spending more and cutting their budgets less.
spending habits
Dirty Money: Consumers Spend Crumpled Bills Faster, Study Finds
A study by Canadian marketing professors finds that people are more quick to spend the crumpled, dirty bills in their wallet -- unless there are other people watching.
How Red and Blue States Split on Green: We Spend Differently
Barack Obama may have said, "There are no red states or blue states, just the United States," but when it comes to our online shopping and bill-paying patterns, there are some notable divides in our habits.
Readers' Tips for Financial Revival, Part 2: Spend Wisely
A few weeks ago, we asked DailyFinance readers for their best tips for putting your financial house in order. First, we covered saving, but spending in the right way is just as important. Here are some of your best suggestions for managing how your money flows out.
Why We Buy Too Much: The Psychology of Overspending
Like all behaviors, your buying habits reflect your background, experiences and psychological makeup. But those things don't have to control your financial future. Here are some emotional states that drive people to make poor purchasing decisions, and some advice on how to keep those emotions from sending you to the poorhouse.
Beware of This Retirement Myth: 'You'll Spend Less'
There's a persistent assumption going around about what happens after one retires -- your spending shrinks. Sure, your house may be paid off by then, and you may be able to ditch some work-related expenses. But that's not the full picture.
10 Things You Don't Want to Tell Yourself About Money
When it comes to money, mindset really matters. What you tell yourself over and over again becomes what you do -- over and over again. Don't fall into the trap of shoddy thinking: Here are 10 bad memes that can seriously mess up your financial health, and advice on how to avoid them.
Northrop Grumman Earnings Preview: Impact of Budget Cuts
Northrop Grumman depends on government contracts for more than 90% of revenue, making talk of cutting the budget deficit a prickly subject. Here's how the defense contractor plans to stay in the game and how it will affect earnings.
Couples' Most Hated Discussion Topic: Money
Money is the topic couples hate discussing the most, according to a recent survey. It's abhorred even more than talking about intimacy or the in-laws. And making things even more difficult, some don't think honesty is always the best policy.
Your Credit Card Is Watching, and May Not Like Where You Shop
Your credit card issuer already knows whether you have a pet, watch porn or garden in your spare time. But what they are most interested in are changes in your spending patterns. Start shopping at the dollar store instead of Williams-Sonoma and they may just take that as a sign of financial hardship -- a fear that could cause them to cap the credit limit on the account or close it altogether.
