Mind Over Market - Palak Bhandari

 Gaming, once a simple and immersive escape from the mundane, has evolved into an arena where players can easily spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. With microtransactions now entrenched in the gaming industry, it’s no longer just about playing the game—it’s about purchasing digital goods, unlocking special features, and leveling up in ways that were once unimaginable. But are we, as players, paying more than we realize? The Explosion of Microtransactions Microtransactions in gaming are not exactly a new phenomenon, but their growth over the past decade has been staggering. From Fortnite’s battle passes to loot boxes in FIFA and Overwatch, microtransactions have shifted from an optional feature to a core component of game monetization. This isn't just a passing trend—it's a powerful business strategy. The staggering numbers back it up.  EA’s   FIFA  series, for example, generates more revenue from microtransactions than from the actual sale of the game itse...

Only a decade ago, we consider 5-7 business days a reasonable wait for an online delivery. Fast forward to the current situation, same-day, next-day, one-click. We've never had to wait less for anything, but somehow, we're more impatient than we have ever been.  The Rise of “Now” Culture With companies like Amazon Prime, Blinkit, Zepto, and Uber eats promising same-day or even 10-minute deliveries, “fast” has been completely redefined. In 2024, over 65% of online shoppers globally expected delivery within two days or less. And in places like India, hyperlocal delivery platforms are scaling faster than ever, optimising routes with AI and drones.  According to McKinsey (2023),  41% of consumers  in urban India expect delivery in  under 30 minutes  for essentials. The logistics behind this speed are intense, hyperlocal warehouses, real-time inventory tracking, and an expanding gig economy workforce. But while companies are racing to be faster, we’re becoming.....

It’s the dream to many, right? Winning the lottery, getting an instant multi-million-dollar payout, quitting your job, and living a life of luxury. But what if I told you that bascialy almost, 70% of lottery winners go broke within five years? Instead of financial freedom, many winners find themselves bankrupt, stressed, and sometimes even worse off than before.   What’s really going on here? Is it just wild spending, or is there more to it? Let’s break it down.  The Shock of Sudden Wealth   Winning the lottery sounds like the ultimate glow-up, but it can actually mess with your life—fast. Sudden wealth syndrome  is when someone gets a huge amount of money out of nowhere and struggles to deal with it. Think of it like this: your lifestyle jumps up way faster than your money knowledge. That combo = disaster. Economists also talk about  MPC (Marginal Propensity to Consume) —aka how much of every extra dollar someone spends instead of saving. Lottery winners u...

It is very fascinating looking at how so many of the fashion trends today revolve around corporate work wear, blazers, button downs and even ties.  We have seen this workwear dominate recent runway collections: 33% of Bottega Veneta’s collection, 35% of Alexander McQueen’s, and 32% of Michael Kors’. Does all this workwear actually make us want to work? The Rise of Workwear Fashion The increase of structured business wear in high fashion is no coincidence. It’s pretty interesting that just as companies are pushing for employees to return to the office, corporate-style fashion is making a huge comeback.  When looking back at the past, fashion and the economy have always been linked, corporate-inspired fashion tends to comeback during periods of economic recovery. The 1980s, a time of booming financial markets, saw the rise of power dressing—sharp suits, shoulder pads, and statement blazers. Similarly, after the 2008 financial crisis, brands leaned into minimalist, tailored ...