Tag Archives: Shiny Objects

Cell-Phone Jones (Addiction)

My research (with friend and colleague Steve Pirog) on cell-phone addiction, http://www.akademiai.com/content/q41011j715q26n7h/, has created quite a media stir recently. Coverage has even jumped “the pond” with coverage by The Daily Mail of the UK:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2241326/It-s-probably-better-talk-How-checking-phones-60-times-day-driving-away-friends.html. The most commonly asked question … Continue reading

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$550 Million Power Ball Lottery = Happiness?

With all of the excitement over the now $550 million Power Ball lottery, I thought I would share with you a brief excerpt from my book (Pages 151-152), Shiny Objects: Why we spend money we don’t have in search of … Continue reading

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The Rich (1%ers) are different from you and I

Despite the somewhat rocky economy, Hermés, a retailer of upscale leather accessories and fancy silk scarves, can hardly keep their shelves stocked with their toney merchandise. Hermés’ starter Birkin leather handbag retails for $6,130. The upscale retailer tallied a 24 … Continue reading

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Materialism Joke!

It’s seldom that you can find much that’s funny about our preoccupation with Shiny Objects, but I think I just might have. I have tried this joke out on several live audiences to a chorus of snickers and even a … Continue reading

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Shiny Objects Found on Mars!

You can imagine my disappointment when I discovered that the SHINY OBJECTS found on Mars was not a copy of my new book, Shiny Objects: Why we spend money we don’t have in search of happiness we can’t buy. In … Continue reading

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There’s No “I” in Team

If you have ever been involved in kids’ sports you’ve probably heard a coach say, “There’s No ‘I’ in Team”. There may be more than a kernel of truth in such a saying when it comes to family finances as … Continue reading

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The Golden Rule of Shopping

We’re all familiar with it – The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. This sentiment appears to be universal. It’s golden in its simplicity, that we would treat others as we would like … Continue reading

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What Would Jesus Drive?

What would Jesus drive?* That’s a great question. I feel it’s a real “acid test” for those of us trying to be good stewards of our financial resources. In April of this year, I was graciously invited to deliver the … Continue reading

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Halloween Spending 2012: Talk About Scary!

If you’ve read my book, Shiny Objects, you know I can’t resist a good story on how much Americans spend on their pets – talk about scary. Halloween is just around the corner and it looks like spending on All … Continue reading

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Argo, the Shah of Iran, & “West Struckedness”

Last weekend my wife and I went to the movies – a rare occasion for us. We were both coming of age in 1979 when the Iranian students stormed the U.S. embassy and held their U.S. hostages for 444 days. … Continue reading

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