Articles tagged with Money
Researchers at Berkeley Lab released a guide on planning and financing comprehensive energy upgrades for K-12 schools. The guide covers different financing approaches and contains case studies of successful projects, highlighting the benefits of energy efficiency upgrades in reducing costs and improving student learning environments.
Researchers found that committed farmers tend to do better than those who test the local market, capturing additional revenue through higher prices and improved sales margins. Farmers can start by meeting with chefs and shop owners, learning their needs and pricing.
A study found that consumers are willing to pay more for faster service with delayed installation and prefer riskier investments with higher expected returns when compared to safe options. This preference reversal highlights the importance of product comparison in consumer decision-making.
A new research project by the University of Nottingham aims to help UK households cut their energy bills by identifying troublesome appliances. By analyzing data from smart home sensors, researchers hope to provide personalized recommendations for behavior change, maintenance, or purchasing to make targeted savings.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that spending on others provides a psychological reward, regardless of cultural or economic context. The researchers surveyed over 234,000 individuals across 136 countries and found a positive relationship between personal well-being and spending on others.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that loyal customers play out their loyalty in price negotiations, gaining an extra 5% discount without issue. This study turned the perception of customer loyalty on its head, highlighting its negotiating power in stores across various sectors.
A new study reveals that the decline in duck hunting, with annual sales of 'duck stamps' falling by 36%, is resulting in a significant financial loss for conservation efforts. The loss of revenue could have resulted in up to $126 million being invested in habitat conservation, with potentially 42,495 ha of wetlands being made available.
A study found that conditional cash transfer programs can improve behavior among gay men and male sex workers in Mexico City. Gay men would participate at a rate of over 75% if offered $7-8.75/month, while male sex workers would participate for significantly less, $156/year.
A new study found that consumers systematically underestimate the selling price of others' items and overestimate their own willingness to pay. This bias can lead to reduced satisfaction in transactions and economic losses for both buyers and sellers.
A study found that consumers feeling socially isolated are more likely to pursue riskier financial opportunities. This effect is mediated by the perceived instrumentality of money, as excluded consumers seek to value money as an alternative means to secure their desired outcomes.
A new study found that currency's physical appearance dramatically affects consumer behaviour, with people preferring to spend dirty, crumpled currency in social situations. The researchers' findings challenge long-held beliefs about the value of money and suggest that it can be a part of conspicuous consumption.
A new study by Fabrizio Di Muro and Theodore J. Noseworthy found that consumers tend to spend more on worn bills due to feelings of disgust, but are more likely to hold onto crisp currency for social reasons. The researchers suggest that money's physical appearance can influence spending behavior, making it a vehicle for social utility.
A recent study proposes redirecting $750 billion in wasteful healthcare spending towards various initiatives, including businesses, education, infrastructure, and job retraining. The potential outcomes include reducing deficit, funding preschool programs, improving transportation projects, and promoting rural development.
A recent UC3M study suggests that relative earnings affect job performance and happiness. When comparing oneself to peers who earn more, individuals tend to be unhappier and work longer hours. The researcher attributes this effect to social comparisons, highlighting the importance of considering colleague earnings when setting salaries.
The DairyCents app estimates income over feed cost per cow, helping farmers plan financially. It also compares feed prices across the country and allows farmers to reference their current feed prices, potentially leading to better deals with suppliers.
A new study found that individual investors' decisions are primarily motivated by their beliefs about a stock's future rather than their feelings toward losses and gains. Investors act on their beliefs to speculate on stock prices, suggesting that the 'disposition effect' may be driven more by complex reasons than emotions.
Research shows middle-income students are at highest risk for student loan debt due to the
Researchers found that consumers perceive greater risk when prices involve non-monetary costs, such as time or information privacy. Businesses must strike a risk balance when combining different pricing structures.
Research suggests that firms with political connections often hold excess cash, which may be used to support politicians' agendas rather than maximize profit. Poor corporate governance and lack of transparency are also common in these firms, leading to a deadlock between minority shareholders and large shareholders.
A new study by George Loewenstein and Linda Dezsö reveals the pitfalls of personal loans. Borrowers often exhibit self-serving biases when it comes to loans, leading to misunderstandings and negative repercussions. Delinquent loans can cause significant harm to relationships.
A study published in the Journal of Human Capital found that most women primary-care doctors would have made more money becoming physician assistants after factoring in training costs. Most women doctors do not work enough hours to amortize their expensive training, leading to a lower net present value compared to PAs.
Global efforts to save women, newborn babies, and young children are not moving fast enough. Despite progress in some countries, many still struggle with high rates of maternal and child mortality.
A recent study from the University of California, Berkeley, found that highly religious individuals are less driven by compassion when helping strangers. In contrast, atheists, agnostics, and less religious people were more inclined to show generosity due to their emotional connection with others.
Research by physics professor Victor Yakovenko links income inequality with bursting financial bubbles. He models income distribution using statistical physics, finding a long tail in the upper 3% of incomes that correlates with investment downturns.
Researchers developed a 'fragility index' to measure likelihood of global stock market losses by identifying periods with high risk exposures across multiple countries. The index shows an increasing probability of a global draw-down when systemic risk is high, resulting in more extreme stock movements.
The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded $17 million in grants to two University of Houston professors, Natalie Houston and Casey Dué Hackney. The grants will support innovative digital humanities projects, including a book history project and an undergraduate course on the ownership of the past.
A new study suggests that people save only about half of their inherited wealth, with the remaining amount spent, donated, or lost. This decision has significant implications for families, financial markets, and the economy.
A new study by Rotman School of Management researchers reveals that treating time as money can undermine well-being. The study shows individuals who perceive their time as monetizable tend to experience greater impatience and lower satisfaction during leisure activities compared to those who do not.
A study by San Francisco State University found that people who prefer experiences over possessions tend to be extraverted and open to new experiences. These 'experiential shoppers' reported greater life satisfaction due to their spending habits.
A recent Emory University neuro-imaging study found that personal values, especially those considered 'sacred', are processed differently in the brain. This distinct cognitive process is linked to activation of neural systems associated with rules-based thought processes.
A study from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management found that when men perceive women as scarce, they become more impulsive, save less, and increase borrowing. This effect is seen in both laboratory experiments and archival data from over 120 US cities.
Research by Virginia Tech's Karen A. Roberto found that elderly women are nearly twice as likely to fall victim to financial abuse, while younger males between 30-59 commit most cases. Seniors can prevent financial abuse with awareness and precautions.
A study by Columbia Business School researchers found a significant correlation between time discounting and low FICO credit scores. Participants with better patience scores had significantly higher FICO scores, indicating a potential link between impatience and poorer financial decisions.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that people with poor credit scores are more impatient and prefer shorter-term gains over longer-term benefits. This impulsivity can lead to strategic defaulting on loans, as individuals weigh the costs of delayed gratification against short-term benefits.
The international community's pledge to provide $100 billion annually in climate change aid is unprecedented and requires careful stewardship. UBC researchers recommend instituting an adaptive regulatory system, employing decentralized third-party auditors, and adopting scientific approaches to evaluate program effectiveness.
A study by Promothesh Chatterjee and Randall L. Rose found that consumers who use credit cards focus more on product benefits than those who pay cash, while cash users tend to prioritize costs.
A study of over 2,300 older Americans found that those under financial strain were at risk of boosting their drinking, especially men and those with less education. In contrast, older women tended to cut down on drinking when facing financial hard times.
Researchers found a small group of people with high cognitive control can behave rationally in the Ultimatum Game, making more money. Most people offer uneven splits and reject offers, driven by strong emotional motives.
The UCI Institute for Money, Technology & Financial Inclusion has received a four-year $4.17 million grant to study the social uses of mobile phones in developing countries. The institute aims to understand how new mobile technology and digital payment services interact with traditional systems.
A new study by Jennifer J. Argo and Baba Shiv found that telling white lies can have negative repercussions for the people who tell them, including increased willingness to spend money on services or tips. Consumers who lie about their wait experiences evaluated these experiences more favorably than those who were honest.
A study by Brigham Young University found that materialistic couples score lower on marriage stability and conflict resolution than non-materialistic couples. Couples where both partners are materialistic experience eroding communication and poor conflict resolution.
A new decision-support model developed by scientists can guide allocation of conservation funding to save more species from extinction. The model incorporates both ecological and economic information, prioritizing conservation activities based on a yearly budget.
A new study found that money reminders lead consumers to react against people who influence their decisions, boosting the importance of autonomy. Participants in three studies reacted oppositely when reminded of money compared to those not reminded, with money-reminded consumers responding more strongly to social influences
During the 2007-2009 financial crisis, hedge funds sold their stocks rapidly in response to falling values, withdrawing nearly three times more money than mutual fund investors. This led to lower returns for mutual funds and exacerbated the losses suffered by ordinary investors.
A new study finds that paper money from around the world contains bisphenol A, a potentially toxic substance. The amounts of BPA on currency are higher than in house dust, but human intake is lower due to dermal absorption.
A new study finds that subsidizing caregivers' wages can reduce worker turnover rates by one-third, improving the quality of experience for clients. The research uses data from group homes for persons with developmental disabilities to perform a cost-benefit analysis of wage subsidy policies.
Penn State researchers found that hospitals focusing on improving operational efficiency can achieve better patient satisfaction scores without increasing spending. A balanced value equation is key to driving better performers.
A new type of invisibility cloak can hide events, not just objects. Researchers suggest a thief could use an 'event cloak' to steal money from a safe by manipulating light speed. Suitable materials need to be developed to make this possible.
Research by Columbia Business School and University of Chicago Booth School of Business found that offering too many 401k funds deters employees from enrolling in the plan. The study revealed a decrease in equity fund allocation and an increase in 'nothing' allocation as the number of funds increases.
The Mid-Atlantic Dray Truck Replacement Program aims to double the impact of a federal cash-for-clunkers-style program by combining public and voluntary private contributions. The initiative will offer $15,000 to truckers for new vehicle down-payments and help arrange financing.
A new study found that psychology majors' median starting salary of $35,300 is well below the average for college graduates. Advanced degrees also do not seem to improve earnings in this field.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that MLB teams that spend more on superstar players tend to win fewer games. The research suggests that if a team wants to maximize profits, it should prioritize paying a few high-caliber players, while prioritizing wins requires a more balanced player distribution.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research examines how consumers consider opportunity costs when making purchases. Feeling constrained can actually lead to better decision-making as consumers weigh the benefits and trade-offs of a purchase. By balancing consideration of foregone options, consumers can make more satisfactory choices.
The study reveals that the brain's amygdala plays a key role in triggering an automatic reaction to unfairness, even when rational thinking suggests otherwise. The findings have significant implications for our understanding of human behavior and decision-making processes.
A new study found that the brain has an automatic reaction to unfairness in financial fairness games, linked to increased amygdala activity. Targeting this region can reduce aggression and increase tendency to accept unfair distributions of money.
A repeat corporate tax holiday is unlikely to boost the stagnant US economy, according to a University of Illinois expert. The previous 2005 tax holiday resulted in repurchases of shares rather than increased domestic investment and employment.
Research on Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs) in distant galaxies led to the discovery of Buckminsterfullerene, a new form of carbon that gave birth to nanotechnology. The study highlights the potential benefits of funding research with no obvious immediate use.
University of Alberta researchers argue that grocery retailers need to change their tactics in the face of rising gas prices to attract shoppers. To survive, they must provide one-stop shopping and promotions that offer value to customers, such as discounted fuel prices or savings incentives from in-store purchases.
A new study suggests that people are more likely to allow something bad to happen rather than causing it, especially if they know someone will judge them. The researchers found that participants were more willing to let a timer run out, resulting in less money for themselves, when they knew someone was watching and would penalize them.
Research at the University of Gothenburg reveals that most lottery winners maintain their normal lives with prudent consumption. Winners value work and leisure equally, and only a minority use their prize money to devote less time to work. Despite cautious spending, they experience increased happiness, security, and freedom.