Money Quotient Blog

In Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, best selling author Daniel Pink presents (in a very engaging and understandable way) the latest research in human motivation. One section, “The Good Life,” is particularly enlightening in regard to how we as individuals establish and pursue our life goals. Pink makes the point, and science confirms, . . . → Read More: Food for Thought: The Power of Purpose

The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions goes all the way back to ancient Rome. In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar developed a new calendar and named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings and endings.

Janus has always been depicted with two faces, one on the back of his head that allowed . . . → Read More: “Food for Thought: Anytime Resolutions”

As we grow older, we also have the opportunity to grow as individuals and to develop relationships that are more “grown-up.” Here is advice from the authors of three different books on ways, through our relationships, that we can contribute to our own personal growth and happiness.

Creative Aging—

In Creative Aging, author Nancy . . . → Read More: “Food for Thought: Paths to Personal Growth and Happiness”

The word “appreciation” has at least two important meanings and applications. In the world of finance, it refers to the increasing value of an asset. In the inner realm of thoughts and emotions, appreciation involves recognizing the value of and feeling gratitude for specific people, things, and circumstances.

In her book, The Soul of Money: . . . → Read More: “Food for Thought: The Power of Appreciation”

Many of us have been taught about setting goals through the use of the SMART acronym. The theory is that in order to be successful in our pursuits, our goals must be:

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Realistic

Tangible

But for many, this template for goal setting is rigid and uninspiring. It puts the concept of planning and achievement in a linear framework . . . → Read More: “Food for Thought: When SMART Goals Are Not Always Wise”

Based on two decades of research, Thomas J. Stanley, author of The Millionaire Mind categorizes people as either wealth accumulators or hunter gatherers.

The first group is comprised of those he describes as “balance-sheet wealthy.” They have become financially independent because they have focused on building their net worth.

In contrast, the “hunter-gatherers” tend to . . . → Read More: “Food for Thought: Who Are the Truly Wealthy?”