Tag Archives: "money"

Each week, I post a video about some Pigeon of Discontent raised by a reader. Because, as much as we try to find the Bluebird of Happiness, we’re also plagued by those small but pesky Pigeons of Discontent. This week’s Pigeon of Discontent, suggested by a reader, is: “I’m a severe under-buyer.”   If you want to read more about … →

Further Secrets of Adulthood: I have Twelve Personal Commandments, and the most obscure is #7, Spend out. “Spend out” reminds me to use things up, not to “save” things like new t-shirts or perfume until some vague future time, not to hold back my ideas, but to let them pour out without reserve. When I spend out, and am willing … →

Each week, I post a video about some Pigeon of Discontent raised by a reader. Because, as much as we try to find the Bluebird of Happiness, we’re also plagued by those small but pesky Pigeons of Discontent. This week’s Pigeon of Discontent, suggested by a reader, is: “I want an uncluttered life (with less shopping).”   If you want … →

Assay: Over the weekend, I re-read a fascinating book, Alfie Kohn’s  Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A’s, Praise, and Other Bribes. I was thrilled to find discussion of some research that I’d thought about often, but had never been able to find again; I didn’t take notes on it and couldn’t remember where I’d seen … →

Every Wednesday is Tip Day. I just finished re-reading Paco Underhill’s fascinating book, Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping. (Note: the book has been updated, but I read the first edition, so that’s what I’m discussing here.) Underhill invented the “science of shopping,” and he details many ways that retailers can create environments that encourage people to buy. As … →