It's painful when you start to run out of money as you near payday. But research suggests that our enjoyment of the products bought with those last remaining pennies may also be negatively affected - a phenomenon known as the bottom dollar effect.
Technology enables us to stay connected; mobile phones facilitate instant, global communities. However a study in 2014 shows that in real life the mere presence of a mobile actually reduces the quality of face-to-face interactions.
Everyone loves saving that little bit extra when they shop. Marketers have a number of techniques at their disposal; free shipping, 10% off or BOGOF for example. Research shows that the discounts you are drawn to and prefer actually change with age.
The power that free food holds over us is particularly strong. In fact, free samples can increase sales by up to 2,000%. It is a method that Costco in the US has very successfully employed. After sampling beer sales grew by 72%, and frozen pizza by 600%!