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SHINY OBJECTS: Why We Spend Money We Don't Have in Search of Happiness We Can't Buy
SHINY OBJECTS takes a careful and amusing look at how our love of material possessions impacts our happiness and what we can do to find true happiness in a culture awash in material possession love.
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Tag Archives: happiness
Alert! Shiny Objects Reviewed in Today’s Wall Street Journal!
Happy Holidays All, Just a quick note to let you know that Shiny Objects was reviewed on page C9 of Today’s Wall Street Journal (Saturday, November 26). Here’s the link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203699404577048012935449958.html Sincerely, Dr. Roberts
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged happiness, James A. Roberts, Megan Mcardle, money, Shiny Objects, spend, spend it or save it, Wall Street Journal
7 Comments
Happy Matters
“Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted” – Albert Einstein When studying happiness, researchers often use the term “subjective well-being” (SWB) instead of happiness. Subjective well-being, like the name suggests, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged genetics, happiness, satisfaction with life, Subjective well-being
10 Comments
Cooking Up a Recipe for Self-Control
Co-author and friend, Chris Manolis, and I recently had an article accepted for publication in the Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice. The study investigated how the three ingredients of self-control impact our shopping. First, let me share … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged drinking, ego-depletion, goals, happiness, self-awareness, self-control
23 Comments
What Does SpongeBob Have To Do With Self-Control?
I broached the subject of self-control in my last blog. When we can control our thoughts and behaviors (instead of them controlling us) we can lead happier and more productive lives. But, it’s not always easy. The Strength Model … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged happiness, Pediatrics, self-control, SpongeBob, Strength Model, TV
10 Comments
Monkey See, Monkey Do
Photo: New York Times. I am convinced that self-control is one of the most important attributes we possess as humans. It affects how we spend our money, our relationships, our productivity at work, and even our happiness. Without … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged happiness, money, relationships, Rhesus monkeys, self-control
8 Comments
Are You a Spendthrift or a Tightwad?
If you had to describe your money management style, would you say you’re more “miserly” or more of a “spend thrift”? Does it take a crow bar to separate you from your money even for things you need or does … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged happiness, moderation, money, obsession, spendthrift, tightwad
8 Comments
Looking For Happiness in All the Wrong Places
If I were to ask you, “Do you feel happiness can be attained through money and material possessions?” it’s a safe bet that most of you would say “No”. But then, why do so many of us act as if … Continue reading
