I was watching the news today and I came across the term 'Blue Monday'. This was the first time I have ever heard of Blue Monday. For those that don't know what Blue Monday is, it is supposedly the most depressing day of the year. Mind you the geniuses who coined this scientific break through are financed from a travel company called Sky Travel. Their purpose for conducting this scientific study was to fuel their publicity campaign to 'motivate' people to purchase holiday packages.
Not a bad idea for travel companies to promote the industry during a potential lull time, but is there conclusive evidence that such a study is accurate?
Not a bad idea for travel companies to promote the industry during a potential lull time, but is there conclusive evidence that such a study is accurate?
I did some research and came across a formula that was published in a press release, by a mental health charity, to assist in calculating the most depressing day of the year. Luckily it was also readily available on Wikipedia:
[W+D-d]T^Q
MNa
where weather=W, debt=d, time since Christmas=T, time since failing our new year’s resolutions=Q, low motivational levels=M and the feeling of a need to take action=Na. 'D' is not defined in the release, nor are units.
Any mathematician will conclude this equation is a crock and it is impossible to get any credible output with the variables mentioned. As well, some variables are not even scalable. However, the result is accurate in concluding the most depressing day of the year should fall in January. Cold weather, credit card statements from the holidays, a population of people motivated to lose weight but soon get caught up with life, and much more.
Ad campaign: "Feel depressed, go on a warm Caribbean holiday, worry about paying that credit card off later"
(I am sure the marketing department will make it a lot sexier)
Is it at all possible to not be exploited and not be coerced/ tricked/ seduced into buying products/ services that currently can not be afforded?
Of course it is! I for one planned my vacation in February nine months ago and bought my ticket 45% cheaper than the price available now to Thailand. I keep a steady budget all year round, and I plan my holidays/vacations a year in advance. As I approached the recent holiday season, I knew in advance I had a vacation around the corner; therefore, I was conservative with my holiday shopping and I did not attend as many holiday festivities (my wallet and my waistline thanked me for that).
I for one proved that such a day is not scientific but rather a strong statistically probability of depression due to logical factors. If you fell under the 'spell' of Blue Monday today, plan ahead this year and make a budget that 1) Pays your bare necessities (food, shelter, clothing) 2) Pays off debt and then add to savings and 3) Maintains your sanity by having a social life.
Never put your finances in a state of paralysis again. If you want to spend money on gifts and partying during the winter holidays, start saving now for next December. If you don't like cold weather, pay of your current debts and plan a trip for the next winter season. If you are upset about your weight and wish to make changes in your life, start a plan today and stick to it regardless what everyone else is doing and never stop.
The only blue in my 'Blue Monday' this year was the lovely blue sky we had today in Vancouver.
Cheers,
Rafael Reis
[W+D-d]T^Q
MNa
where weather=W, debt=d, time since Christmas=T, time since failing our new year’s resolutions=Q, low motivational levels=M and the feeling of a need to take action=Na. 'D' is not defined in the release, nor are units.
Any mathematician will conclude this equation is a crock and it is impossible to get any credible output with the variables mentioned. As well, some variables are not even scalable. However, the result is accurate in concluding the most depressing day of the year should fall in January. Cold weather, credit card statements from the holidays, a population of people motivated to lose weight but soon get caught up with life, and much more.
Ad campaign: "Feel depressed, go on a warm Caribbean holiday, worry about paying that credit card off later"
(I am sure the marketing department will make it a lot sexier)
Is it at all possible to not be exploited and not be coerced/ tricked/ seduced into buying products/ services that currently can not be afforded?
Of course it is! I for one planned my vacation in February nine months ago and bought my ticket 45% cheaper than the price available now to Thailand. I keep a steady budget all year round, and I plan my holidays/vacations a year in advance. As I approached the recent holiday season, I knew in advance I had a vacation around the corner; therefore, I was conservative with my holiday shopping and I did not attend as many holiday festivities (my wallet and my waistline thanked me for that).
I for one proved that such a day is not scientific but rather a strong statistically probability of depression due to logical factors. If you fell under the 'spell' of Blue Monday today, plan ahead this year and make a budget that 1) Pays your bare necessities (food, shelter, clothing) 2) Pays off debt and then add to savings and 3) Maintains your sanity by having a social life.
Never put your finances in a state of paralysis again. If you want to spend money on gifts and partying during the winter holidays, start saving now for next December. If you don't like cold weather, pay of your current debts and plan a trip for the next winter season. If you are upset about your weight and wish to make changes in your life, start a plan today and stick to it regardless what everyone else is doing and never stop.
The only blue in my 'Blue Monday' this year was the lovely blue sky we had today in Vancouver.
Cheers,
Rafael Reis
