A new study finds that millennials -- people between the ages 18-34 -- believe it's important to the get lowest price when shopping, which means giving up on brands they're loyal to.

An increase in extreme weather in 2011 has lead to one of the most expensive years for insurance claims. It's also turning out to be a record year for sheep rustlers on the lamb in the English countryside, where a record number of sheep have gone missing this year. Plus, China and Japan make a currency deal, Detroit girds for possible state takeover, and more top headlines from around the globe on this day after Christmas.

What is it about consumers that drives us to want so much stuff? You could blame Madison Avenue, but marketers alone can't make us open up our wallets to spend. Tess talks with author James Roberts about why we buy.