What do our money habits reveal about us? Are we predisposed to save or spend, use cred cards, tip lavishly, gamble? Is money related to control? Do men and women differ in money behaviour? Whey are we uncomfortable talking about personal money? The author explores these questions to show how money is emotional tender as well as legal tender. She argues that attitudes to money are loaded with personal meanings rooted in childhood and often irrational - in contrast to the economists' notion that money is a neutral medium of exchange. Her book offers insights into the psycho-social forces that mould our behaviour.

Table of Contents

AcknowledgmentsIntroductionMoney has a childhoodTouchstones: money coming outExpert talk: money in economicsWhat can the social sciences tell us about money?Money, Freud and controlControlling yourself and your moneyOf milk and moneyControl becomes powerMoney, gender and sexBalancing the books: personal and impersonal currencyThe secret life of moneyAppendix: the research method and sampleSelected Bibliography