Media rankings tend to focus on the impact of an MBA on salary, return on investment, career progression, and that catch-all term, “satisfaction”, writes Forbes. But few have thought to ask whether pursuing an MBA actually makes the students happy. The article cites a study that showed that happiness increased when starting the program and increased again when they finished – but there was no insight into happiness levels a few years after completing the course.

Insights into “restaurant menu psychology” are shared in The Guardian. The blog says research suggests pictures and items in boxes capture our attention more than other layouts – possibly encouraging diners to order from the box. Classical music is also tipped to entice people to spend more in fine dining restaurants. Even placing high priced items at the tops of menus can anchor perceptions of price so that “cheaper” items look reasonable (even if they would seem expensive elsewhere).

One woman’s tale of going on a cash only diet for a year is spelled out in a reader’s story on Get Rich Slowly. The blogger tells how she was $30,000 in debt and developed five “daily habits” to get back in the black. In addition to cutting up the plastic, she checked her balances every day and automatically put a portion of her paycheck into her savings account every payday.