Shiny objects : why we spend money we don't have in search of happiness we can't buy / James A. Roberts.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Shiny objects -- Chasing the American dream -- The American dream on steroids -- The cat's out of the (shopping) bag -- The treadmill of consumption -- The cashless society -- Money's hidden costs : sacrificing our life goals -- Collateral damage : relationships -- Why are we so materialistic? -- Heaven help us : the prosperity gospel -- Weapons of mass consumption -- The three ingredients of self-control -- Step away from the shopping cart : environmental programming for consumers -- The carrot and the stick : behavioral programming for consumers -- Your money or your life.

Roberts, professor of marketing at Baylor University, studies why Americans believe and behave as if possessions will induce, increase, and enhance happiness. His inquiry provides ample psychological and historical insights as well as self-assessment quizzes on how much we spend and how vulnerable we are to status anxiety.