Psychology Archives | Page 9 of 12

Eternally Free Ways To Get Your Groove Back

If you are feeling tired, overwhelmed, stressed, bored, or lethargic then, you may have lost your groove or “mojo” (as Austin Powers calls it).

Groove refers to the energy and power to perform things easily and exceptionally. When you are in the groove, you are unstoppable at work and other areas of your life!

Losing it is unavoidable due to financial setbacks, breakups, and other unfortunate circumstances.

There will be days when you feel like you are not fully yourself. I too experience writer’s block every once in a while. But it is important to pick yourself up, shake off the past, and move on.

Reclaim what is rightfully yours by following these tips:

1. DO MORE OF WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

Happiness is an essential source of vigor. Begin by writing down a list of activities where you had so much fun. Re-live each moment mentally by reminiscing your happy times. Then, elevate your energy by recreating a couple or more of these activities.

2. TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF

Being in a rut does not mean that you have to look rotten too! Research suggests that if you look fabulous outside, you will feel fabulous inside. So style your hair differently, put on your favorite cosmetics, or wear clothes that make you feel stunning. Pretty soon you will realize that your groove relies on the self-confidence within.

3. TRAIN YOUR THOUGHTS

In the period of groove loss, you may experience a repetition of negative thoughts or worries. This is called rumination. Rumination can take a toll on your physical and mental well being. Solve this by training your thoughts.

Once it spirals off to the dark abyss, bring back the light by redirecting your mind to the positive memories, grateful thoughts, or anything pleasant. You may have to do this several times consciously until it comes naturally.

4. SHY AWAY FROM ELECTRONICS

It is easy to take things for granted because of how convenient everything is with modern technology. Say you are making a slogan for your ad campaign, instead of spending countless minutes browsing on your thesaurus, you just spend seconds to Google the synonyms.

I know you are tempted to drown yourself on K-Dramas or other television series when you feel low on “mojo” but it is hard to move on if you are avoiding things. Practice an electronics sabbatical by turning of the television, your laptop, tablets, and other devices for at least 3 days. Use this time to have an interesting conversation with your partner or kids. Tidy up your closet or organize your files as long as you do something productive and optimistic.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Should You Buy Things Based On Their Values Or Prices?

In this day and age, how much are you willing to pay for a Smartphone?

Are you willing to spare a couple of hundreds or thousands of dollars? Would you rather purchase the Samsung J1 for S$168 or the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge for S$1168?

For most of us, price by itself is not only the crucial factor that determines our purchase because we compare all the products that the market has to offer. In this case, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge has been raved with good reviews and superior capabilities which makes it a strong contender against its counterparts. Beyond its price, we analyze several valuables and come up with a mental assessment of the product’s overall value.

This goes to show that price and value are two different things!

In economics, price and value are influenced by supply and demand.

A product’s price is determined by the intersection of supply and demand while, the value determines the demand. For example, if you are willing to pay S$10 for designer coffee then, you would be willing to pay S$6 or anything less. And, if the intersection of supply and demand prices the designer coffee at S$5, you are more likely to buy it. It does not mean that you place a S$5 value on the product but, it means that getting it at that price is worth it (for you).

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Just because people are not willing to pay a lot of money for something does not necessarily mean that we do not “value” it. Take the “free” air you are breathing right now as an example. Need I say more?

In the marketer’s viewpoint…

Price is their monetary reward for providing us with the product or service while value is equal to our perceived product’s or service’s worth.

For example, the total cost for a repairman to fix a dripping air conditioner including the materials, travel, and labor is S$45. However, the value of the service to the customer, who has been tolerating the water leakage all over the room, is far greater than S$45! So, the repairman may charge you a total of S$60. Aside from observing the competitor’s prices, pricing is in lined with the perceived benefits that a business provides.

With all these in mind, ask yourself: “Should you buy it based on its Value or its Price?”

For what it is worth, I think it is best if you purchase products for their value, assuming you have the means to do so.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Frugal people buy products or services for their value using several techniques such as couponing. They value quality more than the price tag because premium products last longer. Thus, they get the most out of their money.

Sources: 1 , 2 , & 3

Must Read: Simple Money Hacks To Improve Your Financial Life Now

You deserve to achieve understanding, awareness, and especially control over your life. Everyone does. And, “Psychology Of Love, Money, & Life” book might just be the answer!

Money is one of the book’s three sections. Adding the Psychological factor, you will be able to realize that money has effects on your well-being and that you can control its effects. You hold your financial present and future!

So, take a peek inside some of the valuable tips you can get from the #PLMLBook…

1. GAIN PLEASURE FROM MONEY THROUGH ANTICIPATION

If you want to gain positive feelings toward your spending then, ensure that you always have something to look forward to. Let us say you get a raise, treat yourself by buying the designer bag you have been wanting for months. The anticipation of purchase, no matter how small the item is, can increase pleasure enormously.

2. SAVE UP FOR TRAVEL FUND

If you are in a Long Distance Relationship, it can be very expensive. Which is why it is essential to follow a strict budget to save up for your travels. Be responsible enough to spend your money only to what is necessary.

3. SHALL YOU BUY IT OR NOT? STOP THINKING! TAKE THE SWIFT TEST INSTEAD.

When you are thinking twice on purchasing an item especially an article of clothing, ask yourself if you are willing to try it on the dressing room swiftly at that particular moment. If there is no sense of immediate excitement, do not bother to buy it.

4. ONE SIZE MAY NOT FIT ALL

Everybody’s financial situation is unique to the person so, be wary of the “one-size-fits-all” investment strategies from media’s financial gurus. Many factors such as your consumer personality, financial goals, age, etc. should be considered. This is why it is best to listen to your personal financial adviser instead.

5. AVOID THE STATUS QUO BIAS

As I was looking for a new laptop online, my choice leaned towards the brand that I’ve been using for 4 years – the MacBook. Although its competitor had touch screen, 360 bendable monitor, and it’s running on the new Windows software that enables you to download countless of Apps. Certainly, for functionality, the latter was the best choice but I still preferred Macintosh.

This cognitive bias is called the status quo bias. It occurs when you are more likely to prefer the product that you know more of even if there are better options available. Changing your buying habits to avoid this cognitive bias start with the awareness!

Image Credits: misspsychobabble.blogspot.com

Psychology of Love, Money, & Life is now available on Google Play Books, Kobo, Amazon (Kindle), Apple IBooks, and M1 Learning Centre. Find the platform and price that suits you best!

This is written by Anna Agoncillo. She graduated under Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK) with Honors. Combining her passion for psychology and writing, she started a successful blog called “Miss Psychobabble” and has contributed to other platforms including Bored Panda, Psychology Matters Asia, Thought Catalog, Money Digest, and so much more.

8 Telltale Signs That You Are Seriously Devoted To Online Shopping

Almost every human soul on Earth loves shopping! Who does not appreciate the rush they get while picking the perfect outfit? Then, a few decades down the road came the Internet. Marrying these two resulted to the growth of E-commerce and online shopping, especially in Singapore.

In 2014, a website called Flipit found that 50% of E-commerce traffic in Singapore came from the mobile devices. The accessibility to efficient Internet connection in our country led more and more people to shift their buying power online. With famed websites such as Zalora, Qoo10, Taobao, Lazada, and Rakuten, there has been an ongoing debate whether traditional physical stores are losing their appeal.

Previous Paypal research showed that the size of Singapore’s online shopping market reached S$1.1 billion in 2010 and it is forecasted to hit S$4.4 billion by this year. The elevated power of E-commerce has two sides namely: positive and negative. Positively, it brings convenience as it can save one’s money and time. Negatively, it brings susceptibility to serious devotion and addiction.

On that note, here are the 8 Telltale Signs That You Are Seriously Devoted To Online Shopping:

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

1. If you open your bag or purse, you will see a bunch of deposit slips from different online shops.

2. Most of the time, you would have an open tab in your browser with a full shopping cart waiting for you to pursue your purchase.

3. Every minute of your free time in home and work is spent scrolling through Instagram, Carousell, and other online retailers.

4. Your daily routine will not be complete without doing rounds of browses through your favorite online shops to see their new arrivals and sale items.

5. You receive packages via mail that you forgot you once ordered.

6. You get uncomfortable and anxious when you think about shopping in physical stores.

7. Your heart races when you read an email announcing that the online ship has an ongoing sale.

8. You bought the same thing twice by accident.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

If more than 5 signs apply to you, perhaps you should re-consider your online shopping habits along with the other 1.2 million Singaporean online shoppers (i.e., above the age of 18 years old only) out there!

Source: 1, 2, & 3

Know These Money Disorders That Sabotage Your Finances

In Dr. Brad Klontz’ book called the “Mind Over Money: Overcoming the Money Disorders that Threaten Our Financial Health” he dishes about the different ways one can sabotage his or her finances. Dr. Klontz knows what he is talking about, as he is a financial psychologist, investment advisor, an associate professor at Kansas State University, and a co-author of four financial books by profession.

To start with this discussion, Money Disorders are defined as persistent patterns of self-limiting and self-destructive financial behaviors. The root of these said disorders are the beliefs about money that you developed during the course of your life. Particular events, which are distressing and dramatic in nature, were dubbed “financial flashpoints”.

Examples of financial flashpoints include childhood poverty or abrupt unemployment. These financial flashpoints affect your financial behaviors because they leave an emotional scar that you will carry on throughout your adulthood. Fortunately, you can overcome the money disorders and take charge of your monetary life! You just have to know its types first.

The Mind Over Money book outlines the 3 types of Money Disorders as:

1. MONEY-WORSHIPPING

Money-worshipping patterns can either display through hoarding or compulsive buying. Hoarding is keeping excessive amount of stuff or money to gain a sense of security, safety, and relief from anxiety. While, compulsive buying is overspending on unnecessary things in order to feel good. They use money as an escape from troubles or worries.

2. MONEY AVOIDANCE

Money avoidance patterns exist as financial denial or financial rejection. Financial denial is when you refuse to face your financial problems (e.g., ignoring the credit card bills) to “minimize” the situation. On the other hand, financial rejection is when you experience guilt whenever your cash increases. People with low self-esteem most likely feel this.

3. RELATIONAL MONEY PATTERNS

Relational money patterns include disorders that are influenced by your loved ones or other social interactions. It exists as financial infidelity and financial enabling. Financial infidelity is when you lie about your spending to your spouse or life partner. For instance, you can open a secret bank account or spend beyond your agreed-upon budget.

Financial enabling, commonly seen in the Asian setting, is when you give money to your less fortunate relatives or friends whether you can afford it or not. You give them money even though it is not in their long-term best interest or because you just cannot say “No!”

Image Credits: Consumerist Dot Com via Flickr with CC License

As you can see, Money Disorders exist in different forms, and often exist without your conscious knowledge. Awareness and identification is the first step to conquer these disorders! 🙂

Sources: 1 & 2

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