The economy might not be in its best shape yet, but a recent study has found that people prefer to save money when there's a prize involved.
According to CCN Money, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) released a study this week that suggests that people save better when "treated like children."
None of this involves a piggy bank.
The study, titled "Do Lottery Payments Induce Savings Behavior?" asked 100 students to choose from different savings accounts. Some students chose traditional savings accounts while others chose "prize-linked accounts."
What did they find?
"Introduce a prize, and people are much more interested in saving and willing to save for longer. Overwhelmingly the students chose the accounts with the potential for big payouts, even though in most instances the guaranteed accounts ended paying more in the same time. The bigger the potential prize, even if the chances of winning shrunk, the more likely people would be to save."
Do you think this is a good idea, and could that potentially make us better savers?
Just in case you're not already jealous enough of your 6-year-olds energy, pageant mom Tori Hensley has created the ultimate sugar-based energy drink for kids, "Tinker Tea."
According to Radar Online, "Tinker Tea" first made its debut to the pageant scene and the energy drink market on the TLC hit show "Toddlers & Tiaras." This teeth-rotting concoction's main ingredients are Mountain Dew, sweet tea and of course Pixie Stix.
Hensley seems to be a mother in denial because when questioned about how healthy an energy drink for children could be she responded:
"A lot of studies show that caffeine reverses the effects of hyperactive children. Instead of medications and pills and nasty chemicals, why not give them caffeine?"
So the up side is you can keep your kids awake thanks to Tinker Tea but whats the down side? Besides maybe having to chase your kids around a little more you're also putting them at risk for tooth decay, obesity and the dreaded crash that comes with the sudden loss of energy.
According to The Stir, Hensley is in the process of negotiating deals in hopes of getting Tinker Tea out to the masses.
So track star Lolo Jones is disappointed in the amount of pay a U.S. Olympic bobsledder makes. Wait, we PAY bobsledders! She posted a Vine video of her $741.84 check for what she said is seven months of training for the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (Yes, we have one of those.
Surprisingly, the rest of the Olympians who DON'T have endorsement deals based on their good looks or virginity, are none to pleased with her complaint.
While Ms. Jones claims she is only trying to bring awareness to the issue that Olympians in pseudo-sports played once every four years (and then ignored for another four years) are not paid like NBA stars, I doubt most people would be surprised at this revelation. As a matter of fact, I was under the mistaken belief that Olympians competed for the love of their sport and Country. Silly me.
Maybe Ms. Jones should have dedicated her time to an endeavor that would pay her what she obviously thinks she's worth … like dating Tiger Woods.
In our perpetually "offended" society, some women's groups are outraged (OUTRAGED I tell you) that Kraft would DARE use a shirtless man to pitch salad dressing.
So let me get this clear. It's perfectly OK to use scantily clad women to sell products to men, but a shirtless guy selling salad dressing to moms is out of bounds?
What happened to equality? The right to be exploited equally in our society is part of our Founding Fathers' dream. I may have read that part wrong.
You'd think people would have something more important to get worked up over. Advocacy groups honestly believe that a coffee mug, printed to look like a prescription bottle, will lead to the misuse and abuse of prescription painkillers.
Seriously.
While I do not deny that prescription drug overdoses and abuse are a real problem, it strikes me as odd that they think this is where they should focus their energy. The next (and first) time I hear of someone drinking their bottle of Vicodin after being influenced by a coffee mug, we'll talk.
Coffee mugs are quickly becoming the last bastion of comedy and we must defend this medium before all the "World's Greatest Dad" and "Hang in there, Friday's coming" mugs go the way of the lawn dart.
Meanwhile, in the time it took for you to read this, 1,000 new prescriptions for painkillers were written because someone's toe hurts. We're doing it wrong.
The end of the week is upon us and there are definitely some stories you need to know about this week.
First, Edward Snowden. He blew the lid off America when he let everyone in on the secret our government has been keeping from us for seven years: They're spying on us! Not sure I would've given up my place in Hawaii to let this secret out but to each his own.
Second, Sebastien de la Cruz. The kid sang the national anthem not once, but twice, at the NBA Finals this week and was incredible. All people are talking about is "Why is a Mexican singing the national anthem?" Um, he's from San Antonio so that makes him an American and who cares who sings it?
Third, John Stamos. Not sure why but he's putting together a reality show and having celebrities talk about when they lost their virginity. If you figure this one out, let me know.
A young boy begins to realize he has powers that no one else does.
Years later, he must learn how to use his powers, figure out what he was meant to be and his duties in a world not like him. He is needed to save the world from destruction and must become the symbol of hope for the people of Earth.
I thought the movie was OK. I didn't really buy the love story and there were a lot, I mean A LOT, of battle scenes. I was becoming overwhelmed. Although, I will say I learned more about the background of Superman than I have before.
Actor James Franco has a huge house warming party at his house with all of his friends, including Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, Kevin Hart, Seth Rogan and more.
During the party, the Rapture occurs. None of the guests at Franco's party ascend to heaven and are left to fend for themselves with a short list of supplies.
I really liked this movie, I even laughed out loud! With all the movies that have come out recently packed full of celebrities -- and a mediocre script -- I was pleasantly surprised. The cameos in this movie are great and everyone plays themselves with a little humility.
Have you seen this video of Australia's army chief, David Morrison? Like the United States, Australia is dealing with a sex abuse scandal amongst their ranks. Unlike the United States, this guy is taking responsibility and leading the charge to eliminate it.
This guy is MAD. I can almost see the steam coming out of his ears, and when he says he will "ruthlessly" root out sex abuse in the military, I BELIEVE him.
Why don't WE have military commanders who talk like this? Is there something about American military culture that makes it more "CYA" than it is "the buck stops here"?
Sadly, I'm sure it's news to some people that there is a U.S. Flag Code.
That's right, a list of LAWS governing the use, display, lighting and even destruction of the American flag. The fact that people can't be prosecuted for violating those laws is another argument entirely.
But nobody at cable network HGTV probably ever heard of the U.S. Flag Code. That's the only reason one can imagine why it thought using a flag as a tablecloth was a nifty idea to spruce up your Fourth of July picnic table. And the suggestion to use a nylon flag so you can more easily wipe up spills is almost more offensive than the original idea.
And before the geniuses at HGTV get any more bright ideas, American flag swim trunks, seat covers and oven mitts are a bad idea as well.
To borrow the words of one veteran, "No one dies for a tablecloth."
