Abstract. Financial literacy is reviewed in the article as a factor influencing any individual's well-being. Characteristics of a financially competent individual are defined. Behavioral mistakes impeding rational decision-making are outlined. Structures bearing the signs of financial pyramids are described as an example of their participants' cognitive limitations. The importance of creating a common information area is stressed. This process is aimed at remedying negative consequences for all economic agents and preventing inefficient financial decisions when executing financial transactions. The major task of the process is to incorporate information about social and economic activity of institutions (state, business and non-governmental) and population in the common information area. Therefore, every economic agent will get prompt and trustworthy information. It will encourage an individual to make financially adequate decisions.

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The present study assesses the wellbeing potential of material and experiential purchases among a group of Tomsk consumers. Four hypotheses are tested. 1) "Consumer preferences differ by age, gender, income level, education" turns to be confirmed; 2) "Purchases of gifts make people more happy than buying for themselves" demonstrated not very stable and weak correlation; 3) "Money spent on material purchases are perceived as a better decision than spent on experience" shows not very strong and statistically not significant correlation. 4) "Experiential purchases lead to more happiness" had no evidence to be proved. Further research is needed to investigate the phenomena more accurately.

The article considers the impact of financial pyramids on a man's well-being in terms of the key domains: financial situation, social environment, education, employment, and health. The authors determinate the financial pyramid as a scheme of interaction of the organizer and participants. In a financial pyramid participants' contributions are not a source of investments and it is redistributed between them. It is important to understand that the participants of a financial pyramid are able to lose contributions. The major negative effects of financial pyramids on socio-economical and psychological wellbeing of a man and society in Russia were revealed. We detected their effect on: 1) a financial situation, i.e. financial losses of participants of financial pyramids; 2) man's psycho-emotional state; 3) decision-making of various social groups, i.e. intensification of their cognitive distortions. An instrument of social and economic policies of Russia aimed at mitigating negative effects of financial pyramids was suggested and described. The instrument will enable to enhance confidence of population in financial institutions and their services.

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