Freakonomics: Is Your Paycheck Killing You? (VIDEO)

Wish you could predict the exact moment when you're going to die? Well, you probably can't. But you might be able to get a hint thanks to the work of two economists. Timothy Moore and Williams Evans found that people are more likely to die in the first week of the month than during any other time. The reason: That’s when most people get paid. And unfortunately for many Americans, the paycheck that’s killing you isn't even that big. A poll released last year indicated that Americans are living with stagnant wages.

Comments

[novelist2000]

10:38 PM on 01/06/2013

Maybe they should have their money transferred on a bank account, so they don't have to look at all this cash?

I think there's an additional reason. A paycheck symbolises a job done, some kind of end. But people live longer when they have some kind of 'unfinished business', something that needs to be done, they want to do, something that's always been on the list and could never be accomplished. And people also die 6 months after making a will, because a story has ended.

That's my observation, anyway.

[fergiesmom57]

02:32 PM on 05/01/2012

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[bobjimflys]

01:53 PM on 05/01/2012

I thought it was certain holidays like Christmas...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1340467/Study-finds-U-S-citizens-likely-die-Christmas-Day-time-year.html

[Brian Workman]

01:46 PM on 05/01/2012

I have direct deposit and don't give a second thought

[LadyMZih]

12:03 AM on 05/02/2012

Then, I predict that you and I will live longer than those people who give it lots of thought, according to this report.

[Tucan733]

01:36 PM on 05/01/2012

Stagnant wages cwap.......... mine are periodically going down! Wish they would just tax me a tad more so I could qualify for food stamps and the Poor House.

[caroleann926]

01:14 PM on 05/01/2012

I get very depressed the beginning of each month when I have to pay the nursing home big bucks for my husband's care. He became very unruly and I was no longer able to care for him at home. He's been in there 3 years now and it's depressing to watch his deterioration and our savings dwindle. So, YES, I do believe there are certain times that trigger depression so severe that it affects one's health.

[write the world]

01:18 PM on 05/01/2012

I'm so sorry for you and your situation. God bless.

[TheStreak]

01:45 PM on 05/01/2012

I, too, am sorry for your situation. My husband died suddenly April 8th. I'm grieving, but your situation is harder, I think. He's there, but he's not. So sorry. God bless.

[nosamall]

01:00 PM on 05/01/2012

ELECTIONS ARE LIKE PAYCHECKS YOU NEVER ARE SURE OF WHAT YOU MAY GET

[fredthill1935]

12:47 PM on 05/01/2012

im on disabilety and i get it the first of the month and i almost die when i see how little it is and wonder how am i gonna make it!

[Roseanne here]

12:31 PM on 05/01/2012

OR: could it be that bills are usually due then too? Money going out is much more stressful than money coming in.

[gizz4mo1]

12:24 PM on 05/01/2012

I really hope tax payer dollars to go into this study....so many better things we could have used the money on

[gizz4mo1]

12:39 PM on 05/01/2012

i meant "dollars didnt go into this study"

[Louie Rey]

12:24 PM on 05/01/2012

This is nonsense! The day that I'd most likely die is the day my wife catches me in bed with someone ELSE'S wife! Can you say hast la vista baby?

[gizz4mo1]

12:39 PM on 05/01/2012

lol!!!! :)

[Louie Rey]

12:52 PM on 05/01/2012

No problemo!

[write the world]

01:20 PM on 05/01/2012

Perhaps if you made enough money, you could afford a luxury hotel for your trysts and your wife wouldn't catch you.
So money really is at the root of all evil.
I feel sorry for your wife, who has to find you with the other woman.

[sossmile]

01:49 PM on 05/01/2012

I feel sorry that he is thinking of another woman right now! LOL!

[Louie Rey]

01:51 PM on 05/01/2012

You know I'm joking, right?

[Sarge385]

12:23 PM on 05/01/2012

I think the people who come up with this crap have less to do than those of us that respond with comment's LOL!
Ahhhh I guess I'll die the day I drop dead! What the hell does my paycheck have to do with it?
In fact BO is taking care of your paycheck's, if your still getting one, which may be getting less and less. TAXES will kill you first! Especially in Connecticut with Barak Malloy as Govenor!

[robmlisanti]

12:38 PM on 05/01/2012

LOL amen to that!

[sossmile]

01:50 PM on 05/01/2012

This is why our leaders want to go to a cashless society and save us from certain death!

[whatfreshhellisthis]

12:21 PM on 05/01/2012

How does receiving a paycheck in the first week + dying in the first week correlate with liquor sales in the first week?

[write the world]

01:21 PM on 05/01/2012

Oooo - interesting question! Didn't say how the paycheck was spent, did it?

[mrbyaninch]

12:20 PM on 05/01/2012

I was thinking it would most be the day your boss would die when he handed out that paltry check

[mww1017]

11:59 AM on 05/01/2012

Idiotic stats are hilarious. Who cares which week they are most likely to die in? Really?

[savantpm]

12:09 PM on 05/01/2012

Enjoy your daily visit to the spa!

[mmwwil]

12:23 PM on 05/01/2012

RIGHT AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT . nothing