money mayhem

Terrible at managing your money? You’re not alone. According to neuroscientist Dr. Sam Barnett, our brains are “not designed to make the kind of complex decisions our financial realities demand.” Comforting, right? A recent study looked at the stress on brains that gathered financial information from other sources, such as reading finance articles, talking to co-workers or meeting with a financial adviser, compared with brains that made financial decisions on their own. The findings? People need help when making decisions about their finances. In the study, neural signals associated with relaxation increased by 21 and 29 percent for people who received help, meaning they were more relaxed and able to focus on and understand their financial options. So, the next time you’re struggling with a financial decision, remember, there’s no need to go it alone—ask for help and do your research.