A recent study by four universities puts a twist on the old adage that money can’t buy happiness: When people aren’t happy, they don’t seem to care how much things cost.

My classmate Andrea Bartz notes that even temporary sadness leads people to spend more than they normally would on ordinary items.

Jennifer Bechdel at World of Psychology points out that this kind of behavior is subconscious and unintentional.

Another old adage may provide a solution.
We’ve all heard you shouldn’t go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. (I once saw a comedian on TV who quipped, “That’s why I haven’t eaten in five years!”)
Maybe you shouldn’t go when you’re sad as well.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons)