In the field of psychology, cognitive dissonance is described as the mental disturbance people feel when they realize their cognitions and actions are inconsistent or contradictory. This may ultimately result in some change in their cognitions or actions to cause greater alignment between them so as to reduce this dissonance. In the past few weeks, … More Cognitive Dissonance
It’s that time again, when students and parents alike consider assembling that all-important back to school/off to college wardrobe. Of course, you want to fit in, but not too much. You want to stand out, but not too much. You want to spend money, but not too much. You want to buy style and quality, … More The Annual Old Money Back To School Wardrobe List
It’s August. Often a time to pause, relax, refresh, and reset before hitting it again with school and/or work in September. One way to help refresh and reset your personal space is to get rid of items that you haven’t used in a while or items that have outgrown their usefulness altogether. Shocking as it … More Time To De-Clutter
Almost every week I read an article or (more likely) scan a headline that ominously warns of artificial intelligence and its impending dangers (and possibilities) for our future. Of course technology’s nasty habit of replacing human labor and expertise with machines–doing a task quicker, better, and cheaper than people can do it–is an obvious worry. … More Choosing AE Over AI
We’ve often discussed clothing as a part of the Old Money philosophy. It is the most visible part, but not the most important part. The most important part is the adoption of Old Money Core Values, as I note in The Old Money Book. However, as the most visible part, the clothing we choose is … More Your Wardrobe: Playing A Supporting Role
For Americans and our politics, these last few years–and months–and weeks–have been highly charged ones. Polarization, animosity, hostility, and violence would seem to be at an all time high…if one forgets the Civil War. Families and friendships have been split and destroyed by political disagreements that a decade ago would have been dismissed with a … More Where I Stand
My wife and I had a conversation over lunch recently with another couple. They have also been married to each other for a very long time. As we’re all expats here in France, we discussed French culture, the ups and downs of life abroad, the recent elections in France and the upcoming elections in the … More Marriage and Money
We’ve had a few comments lately about the word ‘class’. As the author of The Old Money Book, which has ‘Secrets of the Upper Class’ in its title, I feel it’s important to clarify the term, the context in which it’s used, and how I use it. ‘Class’ has been defined as: A set, collection, … More Let’s Talk About Class
After living abroad for a period of time (six months in Italy and seven years in France), I feel qualified to offer a very gentle primer on how to better understand any friends you may have who are now living full time outside the United States. Why could this be helpful? Because people change when … More Understanding Your Expat Friends
As Americans, we tend to take a very individualistic view of the ourselves, our country, and our world. We idealize the vision, determination, and hard work of the individual as dominant forces in shaping his or her world. Fate, luck or the help of others is often downplayed. The self-made man is just that: a … More The Importance of Institutions