Mind & Money Hacks

Ever bought a gym membership and never used it? Or stayed up late watching Netflix, even though you swore you’d get more sleep? We’ve all been there.

Every day, we make decisions that we later regret—overspending, procrastinating, choosing fries over salad. But why does this happen? And more importantly, is there a way to make better choices without relying on sheer willpower?

Let’s break down the psychology behind our worst decision-making moments—and what we can do about them.

1. The Battle of Two Brains: Fast vs. Slow Thinking

In Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman explains that our brain has two modes of thinking:

• System 1 (Fast Thinking): Quick, instinctive, and emotional. It’s great for avoiding danger but terrible at resisting impulse purchases.

• System 2 (Slow Thinking): Deliberate, logical, and effortful. It helps with long-term planning but requires energy and focus.

Most of our daily decisions are made by System 1, which operates on autopilot. That’s why we fall for marketing tricks, misjudge risks, and make snap decisions that we later regret.

A common example is limited-time sales. The moment we see “50% OFF—TODAY ONLY,” our fast-thinking brain jumps in, convincing us that we must act now. Slower thinking might remind us that we don’t actually need another pair of sneakers, but it often doesn’t get a say in time.

Tips to avoid impulsive decisions:

• When faced with an urge to buy something, pause and wait a few minutes. Giving System 2 a chance to weigh in can prevent unnecessary spending.

• Ask yourself: Would I still buy this if it weren’t on sale?

2. Why Future You Is Always Disappointed in Present You

We all have great plans for the future—waking up early, saving money, eating healthier. But when the moment arrives, we act as if our future self is a completely different person. This is called hyperbolic discounting—the tendency to value immediate rewards more than long-term benefits.

It’s why hitting the snooze button feels better than getting out of bed to work out. Why we tell ourselves we’ll start saving money next month—then push it back again.

Ways to stay on track:

• Make commitments harder to break. Set up automatic savings, pre-schedule workouts, or tell a friend your plans so you feel accountable.

• Make future benefits feel immediate. If saving for retirement feels too distant, focus on a more tangible goal, like affording a trip or upgrading your living situation.

3. Decision Fatigue: Why Your Brain Gets Tired

Ever wondered why Mark Zuckerberg wears the same gray T-shirt every day? It’s not just a fashion statement—it’s a way to preserve mental energy for more important decisions.

The more choices we make throughout the day, the harder it becomes to make good ones. By evening, our brain is so tired that resisting junk food, impulse shopping, or another hour of scrolling becomes almost impossible.

A fascinating study on judges found that they were far more likely to deny parole later in the day—not because cases were different, but because their brains were too fatigued to think through each case carefully.

Ways to reduce decision fatigue:

• Simplify routine choices. Planning meals, picking outfits in advance, and automating small decisions can free up mental energy for more important things.

• Prioritize major decisions early in the day when your brain is still fresh.

Final Thoughts: Outsmarting Your Own Brain

Most bad decisions aren’t about intelligence—they’re about how our brain is wired. When we understand how biases and mental shortcuts influence us, we can start making better choices with less effort.

Some key takeaways:

• Give yourself time before acting on impulse.

• Set up structures that help your future self stay on track.

• Reduce unnecessary decisions to avoid mental fatigue.

Now, over to you:

• What’s a decision you regret making on impulse?

• Have you ever found a trick that helps you make better choices?

• What other topics would you like to see covered in future posts?

Drop your thoughts in the comments and share with us.

Next up: Thinking Fast and Slow: When Intuition Betrays Us. We’ll dive deeper into when to trust your gut and when to challenge it. Stay tuned.