My Mother, My Father, My Money

Money and its loaded issues.

Simon Feuerman is a psychotherapist and teaches at Kean University in New Jersey. See full bio

July 21, 2009

Clueless men

Word on the street, from the women at least is that clueless men abound. Some say it with a chuckle and a touch of fondness "oh those clueless men" Some with bitterness and anger. Those clueless men. They just don't get it!. Read More

July 20, 2009

Your mother's story, your money story*

Some people have compared the pursuit of money and love to the ebb and flow of the oceanic tides. People get rich, they get poor. They seek love, they find it, they lose it -- they seek it again. Read More

July 16, 2009

Marjorie is in pain

Marjorie, 45, a substantial remnant of the spectacular beauty she once was, didn't know what to do. Her mother, 80, was ill with dementia and dying, her 15 year-old-daughter was in her own teenage world. Read More

July 14, 2009

Why clueless people often do very well

Most of us know someone who is clueless. Perhaps they are a friend or relative - maybe even someone we love dearly. We call them clueless because we think they know nothing about themselves, or perhaps they know nothing about us, but somehow they go on in life, bumbling through. Often, they are successful - even rich. Read More

July 8, 2009

Cries of the heart may not be all that impressive

There has been a well-deserved continuous joke-fest stimulated by the bizarre and largely incoherent press conferences given respectively by SC governor Mark Sanford and Alaska governor Sarah Palin during the past 2 weeks.

Following their speeches, a few, such as Stanley Fish, a thoughtfu Read More

July 1, 2009

There will be (some) Blood

On my father's 50th birthday, he told us that each decade represents a day of the week. Given the biblical age span of 70 Thursday corresponds to 50. Quoting a Jewish sage, he said that 50 is the time to start preparing for Shabbes, for the ultimate journey, for death. Read More

June 18, 2009

Emotional Unemployment

A relative of mine, who is 52 years old and a frequent visitor in my home, told me last week that he is again out of work. His job was not phased out. He was not downsized, nor was his company placed in bankruptcy. Rather, he is different. He is a serially failed entrepreneur. The latest enterprise to sink: a school for gifted students. Read More

May 26, 2009

Mary Has No Money Part III*

Mary, a university professor, thoroughly likable, conscious of the passing of time and yet eyeball deep in an empathetic, but dull marriage and waist-deep in money problems. She finds herself both broke and in love with a man not her husband.

May 6, 2009

Mary Has No Money Part II

Mary, a university professor of history, 40 and beautiful, perched on the very edge of youth, finds herself at the end of her $200K equity line and without money. Feeling like both a failure and a fool she tries to figure out how this has come to pass. In her search, Mary is directed by a friend to consider the ways in which she avoids reality. Read More

May 4, 2009

Mary Has No Money

On May 25th, 2007 Mary looked in the mirror. She was in the last bloom of her good looks. It was Indian summer. Lodged somewhere deep in those hair follicles and joints, there was the knowledge that the beautiful auburn hair would soon go gray and her skin would get looser as her mother's had before her. Read More

Behavioral Economics Basics

Why do we often think we know what we want, only to be disappointed with our purchases and choices? Behavioral economics studies just how irrational we humans can be.

Go to the Behavioral Economics Basics page for more on Behavioral Economics including:

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