Chow Down, Spend Less
Catey Hill is the money editor for the New York Daily News online and the author of “Shoo, Jimmy Choo! The Modern Girl’s Guide to Spending Less and Saving More.”
Snack before you shop
A new study suggests that hunger might hurt your financial decision-making, while a full belly could be better for your pocketbook.
In the study, researchers at University College London put participants on different diets, which influenced their metabolism. Then, they gave them the option of playing various lotteries, some riskier than others.
The results: study participants were more likely to choose the riskier option when they were hungry than when they weren’t.
Eat, bubula, eat!
The researchers also observed “an immediate effect of a calorific load.” (In English: they saw changes in people’s risk-taking tendencies immediately upon feeding them.)
So what might this mean for you? Increase that calorific load when you have some tough spending choices ahead:
- Carry PowerBars when entering Target.
- Read catalogs after dinner, not before.
- Make investing decisions on a full stomach.
- Don’t book your vacation during your lunch break.
- Save this post for the holidays and save a bundle!
-Catey Hill for Daily Worth
GIRL TALK TIME: Do you spend more when you’re hungry? How do you usually shop? Are you surprised at the findings?
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14 Comments
Post a Commentit does make a difference,you will make quick decisions if you are hungry.
idk how much of this article i would take to heart… i mean FOOD is truly my favorite period… and i am way less likely to buy somethin if im hungry bc satisfyin my hunger becomes my first priority….
Doesnt make too much of a difference for me to shop hungry or not….
I know I have to grocery shop on a full stomache, but didn’t realize that applied to all types of shopping. Thanks for the article!
I actually find that I can’t truly have a good time shopping if I’m hungry…
Interesting, I’ve never really noticed. I’ll have to observe myself & see.
Great info…never knew how much being hungry made such an impact on certain decisions!
This is great! And, it’s true.
“DON’T BOOK YOUR VACATION DURING YOUR LUNCH BREAK.”
Ack, so true! I constantly find myself browsing travelocity.com while I’m eating at my desk, and suddenly, a 2-week trip to the Greek Isles somehow seems doable…
Great tips! Def can’t think straight on an empty tummie!
This makes sense…I’ll keep that in mind since Target is right across the street from the office and I make at least one trip a day there.
good advice!
read this article on dailyworth.com recently, thought it made sense. i knew not to grocery shop when hungry–you’ll buy everything in every aisle!
Good advise I will try it!