Overcoming Your Scarcity Brain w/ Michael Easter #773

Our brains are hardwired to relentlessly believe that we don’t have enough. Michael Easter, our guest today, calls it the scarcity brain which is also the name of his recent book. And even though we know it’s definition, scarcity is likely a concept that few folks listening to this podcast have much experience with. At least in our modern age, we have enough food, shelter, and clothing on hand that the vast majority of folks haven’t felt the true impacts of real scarcity. In fact most of us have plenty of the things needed for survival, plus the countless cardboard boxes of stuff that we’re duped into purchasing on a whim. So why spend an episode talking about a shortage of resources? Well it’s because problems arise when our minds are programmed to operate in a world of scarcity, but in reality we’re living in an age of abundance. Michael has traveled the world, he’s observed tribes in the jungles of Bolivia, studied addiction in bombed out hotels in Baghdad, and spoken with the top researchers of psychology in order to understand the mind and how we form good and bad habits. We discuss the scarcity loop, gambling addiction, our incessant buying of stuff, gamification, and more during today’s episode!   Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances: Knowing your ‘money gear’ is a crucial part of your personal finance journey. Start here.  Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical. Join a thriving community of fellow money in the HTM Facebook group. Find the best credit card for you with our new credit card tool! Massively reduce your cell phone bill each month by switching to a discount provider like Mint Mobile.   During this episode we enjoyed a Nelson Double IPA by Ever Grain Brewing- a big thanks to Rhiannah for sending this one our way! And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!   Best friends out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.