Are you a victim of behavioral finance? Find out more from the Beacon Learning Center

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Articles that help you determine whether you're a victim of behavioral finance.

1. 6 Actions to Take If You are Living Paycheck to Paycheck

It is estimated that four out of five Americans are currently living "paycheck to paycheck." If you find yourself in this scenario, you probably feel stressed and overwhelmed. It is time to take control of your financial situation.

6 ACTIONS TO TAKE IF YOU ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK

2. Are You an Emotional Spender?

After a bad day, it can feel good to go out and treat yourself. Though this can be beneficial when done in moderation, there are times when many of us end up relying on these purchases to brighten our moods. To help you better understand what this type of behavior is, we've answered some of the most important questions one might have about emotional spending.

ARE YOU AN EMOTIONAL SPENDer?

3. Is Social Media Influencing Your Spending Habits?

You might have heard that spending too much time on social media can affect your mental health, but have you considered how it affects your financial health?

IS SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCING YOUR SPENDING HABITS?

4. Are You a Financial Enabler?

If you're trying to figure out whether you've crossed the line from helping out a loved one to enabling, we've come up with some broad outlines to help you better assess your personal situation.

ARE YOU A FINANCIAL ENABLER?

5. How to Resist Financial Peer Pressure

When your friends are pressuring you to spend more than you think you ought to, it can be extremely difficult to say no. We'll look at a few strategies to help you artfully say "no, thanks."

HOW TO RESIST FINANCIAL PEER PRESSURE

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Financial Caregivers & The Roles They Play. 

Are you in the process of becoming a financial caregiver for someone—maybe an aging parent? There are a few types of financial caregivers, and each one has different roles, responsibilities, and legalities.

POWER OF ATTORNEY – An individual in need of financial assistance (known as the principal) can give another person (known as the agent) a “power of attorney” that allows them to make decisions on the principal’s behalf. The agent typically manages and has access to the principal’s bank and other financial accounts. If the power of attorney is durable, the agent maintains the powers bestowed upon them if the principal later becomes incapacitated.

TRUSTEE – A trustee is a person named in a trust to manage the trust property on behalf of the beneficiaries. Trust property may include different types of property, such as real estate, financial accounts, or personal belongings. Insurance and retirement accounts can also name a trust as a beneficiary. The trustee is responsible for protecting, managing, and distributing trust assets in accordance with the trust document.

FIDUCIARY – A fiduciary is someone who is responsible for managing someone else’s money or property and owes a higher standard of care to the person acting in this capacity. Conservator – A conservator is a person appointed by a court to manage another’s financial affairs.

REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE – A representative payee is a special type of financial caregiver who is appointed to manage government benefits on behalf of someone else, such as Social Security or VA benefits.

Do you avoid leaving the house on Friday the 13th? Keep your stay at home lucky with these 13 home related superstitions from a variety of cultures.

1. Old Broom, Old Dirt... Leave It Behind

An old Feng Shui tradition says when you move, you should leave your old broom behind. By leaving your old broom and old dirt, you're ridding yourself of your past and starting fresh in your new home.

2. Paint it Blue

Ward off evil spirits with "haint blue". It's said that spirits or "haints" mistake the blue paint for water and won't cross over the surface into your house. You'll find many doorways and porches painted this light shade of blue in South Carolina, Georgia and throughout the south.

3. Acorn On Your Window Sill

According to Norse mythology, placing an acorn on your window sill protects your house from lightening.

4. Empty Hornets Nest

Hanging an empty hornets nest in your home can attract good luck... We'd like to stress the word "empty" in this idea.

5. Move in on Thursday

Looking for a good moving day. Avoid Friday, Saturday or rainy days (seems obvious). In India, Thursday is thought to actually be the luckiest day to move into a new home.

6. Good Luck Animals

Elephants are a sign of wisdom and good luck. Fish are seen to bring good fortune and prosperity. Tortoises symbolize positive energy and longevity. These are just a few critters that bring good luck to your home.

7. Hang a Horseshoe for Good Luck

Horseshoes can bring good luck, but be sure to hang them with the opening upwards. Otherwise your luck will pour out.

8. Don't Clean at Night

Don't sweep at night according to people in West Africa. You'll sweep away your good luck.

9. Scatter Coins Around the Living Room

To invite financial prosperity, people in the Philippines will scatter coins around the living room of a new home.

10. Don't Rock an Empty Chair

Want to invite an evil spirit into your home? Rock a chair without anyone sitting in it. The Irish believe this is an open invitation for a paranormal sleepover.

11. Wake Up on The Right Side of the Bed

Yes, there is a right side of the bed... according to an American proverb. You should always get out of the bed on the same side that you got into the bed on... if you want to have a good day.

 12. No Shoes On the Table

Other than the obvious germs that would come from placing your shoes on the table, in the US and the UK, this bad habit is considered bad luck and could even lead to death.

13. Beware of Mirrors

Mirror, mirror on the wall... Whether you're breaking a mirror and gaining seven fun years of bad luck or summoning Bloody Mary on a spooky night, mirrors can be full of superstitious tales. Historically, people even covered their mirrors, when family members passed away, so that their souls didn't get trapped inside the reflective surfaces. 

Want to read more about these superstitions and others, visit these websites...

https://medium.com/curb-appeal/12-superstitions-to-keep-your-house-free-from-bad-luck-ad85f7712a18

https://www.farmersalmanac.com/home-buying-superstitions-17918

https://www.dirtdoctor.com/garden/Blue-Paint-Repels-Bugs_vq1979.htm