Worrying About Money

Financial worries tax the brain of those with low incomes, reducing their IQ by up to 13 points, scientists have found. As a result, those with limited means are more likely to make bad decisions, such as taking on too much debt. "Our results suggest that when you’re poor, money is not the only thing in short supply. Cognitive capacity is also stretched thin," said Harvard economist Sendhil Mullainathan.