I ran across an interesting newspaper article while we were in the U.S. in May.  It examined why Americans don't seem to be able to save like their European counterparts.  The short answer--in case you're interested--is debt service.  Europeans must make larger downpayments to buy property and are more likely to have debit cards than credit carts.  But the author also asked why people who are up to their eyeballs in debt continue to spend like there is no tomorrow.  Now THAT'S a really interesting question!

Some scientist ran some experiments and discovered that, in the majority of people (not more likely to be American than European, by the way), buying a desired item releases the same kind of "feel good" hormone as eating a major portion of chocolate.

Well, you know how it is with scientists:  first the colleagues have to replicate the experiment and then they have to improve on it.  The following experiment showed that, if you belong to the group which shops to get a hormonal high, saving for a really big (but definite) purchase will result in the same rush.  Inother words, socking away a percentage of your income each month for a year to buy a diamond tiara, tickets for a world cruise or a new Porsche makes you feel as good as 12 shopping expeditions.

Well, I've always been one to shop when I'm really depressed, but normally I'm too thrifty to buy something I don't really need.  So, I wondered what it would feel like to be really profligate. You see, I'm registered on this other gaming site which allows you to buy clothing and accessories for your avatar.  Hoowhee!  Boy, do I have a faulous virtual wardrobe! And I've cut way down on my consumption of Swiss chocolate.