The problem with opportunity cost is that opportunity cost is divided among many, many things.
Dan ArielyThe problem is that people basically dangle debt in front of us. And the cost for the poor of course is much higher than for the wealthy.
Dan ArielyLinking financial element to energy consumption I think has a huge role if you think about a display instrument that could teach us about what we are using, how much it costs us, how much it is saving, and therefore change our decisions.
Dan ArielyWe're actually trying to develop an iPhone app, now that the Droid is out, we'll do it for that as well, if we ever learn how to program on this thing. But the idea is that to make money concrete. So, you can do this app, and it's not out there, but you can do the app. And you say, "I like vacation in the Bahamas, shoes, lattes, and books." And now, when you are tempted to buy something, that thing translates in terms of the things you are interested in.
Dan ArielyThe most difficult thing is to recognize that sometimes we too are blinded by our own incentives. Because we donโt see how our conflicts of interest work on us.
Dan ArielyMoney actually becomes even more difficult than other things because it's very hard to imagine what the benefits are to saving. So, imagine that you see a new bicycle, a new pair of shoes, or something today. You know exactly what you are giving up if you are not buying it, what are you gaining in the future if you are not getting it. So, you are giving up the bicycle today, what is it in the future? What will happen if you send another $1,000 to your retirement fund? What difference will it make? It is very, very hard to figure out.
Dan Ariely