What’s in a Last Name?

Recently, I read about two interesting studies on last names and its relation to your potential earnings and your spending habits.

According to a recent study, women who keep their maiden name when married are perceived as more intelligent and competent. Study participants attributed a higher income value to a woman keeping her maiden name such that she could potentially earn more than $500,000 over her lifetime. Here’s a good article on LearnVest for more info to share with your older daughters.

Another study by Professor Carlson of Georgetown University found that children with last names in the later part of the alphabet are more likely to grow up to buy early so they don’t miss a “deal.” You can blame teachers for lining up the kids in alphabetical order, which means the kids with last names early in the alphabet get used to getting things first and don’t feel rushed to make a decision. So, if your last name is at the end of the alphabet, you might want to help your children learn to control an impulse buy by taking a pause before purchasing that “limited time deal.”

Actually, no matter what letter your last name begins with, it’s a good thing to teach your kids and teens to stop and think before making a purchase. Teach them to stick to their budget, live within their means and remember…there’s always another sale tomorrow!