The psychology of cash – The Atlantic


An Atlantic studying record on the difficult hyperlinks between our cash and our thoughts

A pair of arms wrapped around a pile of money
Illustration by Joanne Imperio / The Atlantic. Supply: Getty

That is an version of The Surprise Reader, a e-newsletter by which our editors suggest a set of tales to spark your curiosity and fill you with delight. Enroll right here to get it each Saturday morning.

This previous week, an article by my colleague Olga Khazan launched me to a bunch of individuals referred to as the “tightwads”: individuals who have hassle spending their cash. Analysis has discovered that “tightwads don’t scrimp as a result of they lack cash,” Olga reviews. “They aren’t any poorer than spendthrifts (individuals who overspend); tightwads even have higher credit score scores and extra cash in financial savings … As a substitute, they’re afraid to spend cash that they do have.”

“Tightwads’ points reveal how our monetary selections could be extra psychological than financial,” Olga notes. Right now’s e-newsletter explores the difficult hyperlinks between our cash and our thoughts.


On the Psychology of Cash

The Nicely-Off Folks Who Can’t Spend Cash

By Olga Khazan

Tightwads drag round a phantom limb of poverty, it doesn’t matter what their checking account says.

Learn the article.

Cease Asking Whether or not Cash Buys Happiness

By Michael Mechanic

It might, however solely a negligible quantity.

Learn the article.

What You’re Actually Anxious About When You’re Anxious About Cash

By Arthur C. Brooks

When you’ve met your most elementary wants, an obsession along with your checking account is perhaps hiding deeper anxieties.

Learn the article.


Nonetheless Curious?


Different Diversions


P.S.

A rainbow
Courtesy of Sandi, in Alaska

I not too long ago requested readers to share a photograph of one thing that sparks their sense of awe on the earth. Sandi, in Alaska, writes: “I used to be on a ship halibut fishing … It was raining throughout us however not on us. Within the distance we noticed this horizontal rainbow.”

I’ll proceed to characteristic your responses within the coming weeks. Should you’d prefer to share, reply to this e mail with a photograph and a brief description so we will share your marvel with fellow readers in a future version of this text or on our web site. Please embody your identify (initials are okay), age, and site. By doing so, you agree that The Atlantic has permission to publish your photograph and publicly attribute the response to you, together with your first identify and final preliminary, age, and/or location that you just share along with your submission.

— Isabel



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