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The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness Paperback – September 8, 2020
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Doing well with money isn’t necessarily about what you know. It’s about how you behave. And behavior is hard to teach, even to really smart people.
Money―investing, personal finance, and business decisions―is typically taught as a math-based field, where data and formulas tell us exactly what to do. But in the real world people don’t make financial decisions on a spreadsheet. They make them at the dinner table, or in a meeting room, where personal history, your own unique view of the world, ego, pride, marketing, and odd incentives are scrambled together.
In The Psychology of Money, award-winning author Morgan Housel shares 19 short stories exploring the strange ways people think about money and teaches you how to make better sense of one of life’s most important topics.
- Print length256 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarriman House
- Publication dateSeptember 8, 2020
- Reading age16 years and up
- Dimensions5.55 x 0.75 x 8.45 inches
- ISBN-100857197681
- ISBN-13978-0857197689
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Get to know this book
What's it about?
This book is about how people's behavior and personal biases affect their financial decisions. It's not just about math and formulas, but also about the complex psychological factors that influence our relationship with money.Popular highlight
There is no reason to risk what you have and need for what you don’t have and don’t need.35,245 Kindle readers highlighted thisPopular highlight
Having a strong sense of controlling one’s life is a more dependable predictor of positive feelings of wellbeing than any of the objective conditions of life we have considered.29,494 Kindle readers highlighted thisPopular highlight
financial success is not a hard science. It’s a soft skill, where how you behave is more important than what you know.25,441 Kindle readers highlighted thisPopular highlight
Therefore, focus less on specific individuals and case studies and more on broad patterns.23,689 Kindle readers highlighted this
From the Publisher
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"It’s one of the best and most original finance books in years." -- Jason Zweig, The Wall Street Journal
"The Psychology of Money is bursting with interesting ideas and practical takeaways. Quite simply, it is essential reading for anyone interested in being better with money. Everyone should own a copy." -- James Clear, Author, million-copy bestseller, Atomic Habits
"Morgan Housel is that rare writer who can translate complex concepts into gripping, easy-to-digest narrative. The Psychology of Money is a fast-paced, engaging read that will leave you with both the knowledge to understand why we make bad financial decisions and the tools to make better ones." -- Annie Duke, Author, Thinking in Bets
"Housel's observations often hit the daily double: they say things that haven't been said before, and they make sense." -- Howard Marks, Director and Co-Chairman, Oaktree Capital & Author, The Most Important Thing and Mastering the Market Cycle
"Morgan Housel is one of the brightest new lights among financial writers. He is accessible to everyone wanting to learn more about the psychology of money. I highly recommend this book." -- James P. O’Shaughnessy, Author, What Works on Wall Street
"Few people write about finance with the graceful clarity of Morgan Housel. The Psychology of Money is an essential read for anyone who wants to make wiser decisions or live a richer life." -- Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of When, To Sell Is Human, and Drive
Review
About the Author
He is a two-time winner of the Best in Business Award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, winner of the New York Times Sidney Award, and a two-time finalist for the Gerald Loeb Award for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism. He serves on the board of directors at Markel. He lives in Seattle with his wife and two kids.
Product details
- Publisher : Harriman House (September 8, 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0857197681
- ISBN-13 : 978-0857197689
- Reading age : 16 years and up
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.55 x 0.75 x 8.45 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #50 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2 in Budgeting & Money Management (Books)
- #2 in Introduction to Investing
- #7 in Success Self-Help
- Customer Reviews:
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Highly recommend for financial Literacy
Jonathan Belle ⚡️
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This book Helped me understand how Money works - Preview
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The psychology of money book totally recommend
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About the author
![Morgan Housel](https://cdn.statically.io/img/m.media-amazon.com/images/S/amzn-author-media-prod/rtoaal9u1721n93pmiqkl7s1u1._SY600_.jpg)
Morgan Housel is a partner at The Collaborative Fund. He is a two-time winner of the Best in Business Award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, winner of the New York Times Sidney Award, and a two-time finalist for the Gerald Loeb Award for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism. He lives in Seattle with his wife and two kids.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book very informative, full of concepts about relationships and practices with money. They describe it as simple, a good starting point, and hard to put down. Readers also describe the content as great, providing some aha moments and making them laugh out loud.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book very informative, helping them to understand money better. They also say it makes them think, providing invaluable insights into developing a healthier, more productive lifestyle. Readers also appreciate the practical tips and comments on financial independence. They say the overall message is timeless, and the book is full of concepts about relationships and practices with money.
"...completely different and, true to the title, explores money psychology and philosophy, both on the individual and societal level...." Read more
"...It has a lot of good examples, data and fun facts to get the point across to the readers...." Read more
"...Other than that hideous paragraph, The Psychology of Money is a fine book because it makes a huge contribution to financial discussions and what it..." Read more
"This book is well-written and filled with thoughtful ideas and insights about the emotional underpinnings of our relationship with money...." Read more
Customers find the book engaging, thought-provoking, and worth keeping in mind. They also say the stories in the book are worth keeping. Readers also mention that the book made them rethink their strategy and laugh out loud.
"...It’s very well written and at times even made me laugh out loud. Great framework for thinking about not only money, but life goals and values...." Read more
"Why the book was so easy and enjoyable to read? It has a lot of good examples, data and fun facts to get the point across to the readers...." Read more
"...—control the real deal by keeping expenses low and be extremely happy with reasonable returns...." Read more
"This is a great read. It will validate whether you're on the right track with your money habits, or give you some things to consider if you're not...." Read more
Customers find the book straightforward yet enlightening, simple, and timely. They also say the concepts shared are simple enough to resonate and open their eyes on a diverse level of idea. Readers say the book is accessible to a broad audience and easy to move through. They appreciate the care and craftsmanship that went into producing it.
"...It’s very well written and at times even made me laugh out loud. Great framework for thinking about not only money, but life goals and values...." Read more
"Why the book was so easy and enjoyable to read? It has a lot of good examples, data and fun facts to get the point across to the readers...." Read more
"...it is powerful if we know how to tap into it and to be 100% satisfied with average returns..." Read more
"This book is well-written and filled with thoughtful ideas and insights about the emotional underpinnings of our relationship with money...." Read more
Customers find the book simple, well-written, and hard to put down. They also say it's wonderful for complete newbies, with a reasonable approach.
"...Every job looks easy when you’re not the one doing it.• Successful investing looks easy when you’re not the one doing it...." Read more
"The reviews were correct! This is a great starter book for people ready to start looking at their money and resources in a different way!" Read more
"This is such a great, simple, digestible financial literacy reference. Each chapter tells a short story with a money lesson wrapped up in it...." Read more
"...Another thing about this book that is admirable is that it’s a fun and easy and quick read. Nothing here is difficult to understand...." Read more
Customers find the book relatively short in terms of the self-help genre, yet long enough to drive a few points home.
"...The book seems short, but it covers all the bases without being boring or too intellectual...." Read more
"...Besides the content, the best aspects of the book are that it is short, it has no fillers, and it has lots of examples and actionable insights." Read more
"...more philosophical than The Only Investment Guide (my fave), but also shorter and simpler. Worth a read!" Read more
"...The chapters are short, precise and relevant...." Read more
Customers find the book has good examples, data, and fun facts to get the point across. They also say it has a lot of gems and nuggets that anyone can apply to grow their wealth.
"Why the book was so easy and enjoyable to read? It has a lot of good examples, data and fun facts to get the point across to the readers...." Read more
"...The first chapter alone is a treasure trove of wisdom, filled with "gems" that challenge conventional thinking about wealth, greed, and happiness...." Read more
"...of the book are that it is short, it has no fillers, and it has lots of examples and actionable insights." Read more
"This book has a TON of gems and nuggets that anyone can apply to grow their wealth. I highly recommend this book!" Read more
Customers find the narrative style of the book redundant within each chapter. They also say the book has a tendency to get hung up in the details.
"...While the insights are valuable, the narrative can be repetitive...." Read more
"...Lots of people saying good stuff online on this book, but just too many stories and not very much practicality. It did not made sense to me." Read more
"This book really dives deep into your mind and why you have the habits and mindset with money as you do...." Read more
"A mediocre book filled with common anecdotes that ends with the most unoriginal advice...." Read more
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Top reviews
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According to the author, it is one of the most underappreciated forces in finance. It comes in many forms: a frugal budget, flexible thinking, and a loose time line - anything that lets you live happily with a range of outcomes. Controlling your time is the highest dividend money pays.
The book is pretty much evolved around the concept of "Margin of Safety." It encourages readers to save money and not spending money lavishly. The key is staying wealthy and not just getting wealthy. We can't be complacent and assume that yesterday's success translate into tomorrow's good fortune. Wealth is what you don't see. Spending money to show people how much money you have is the fastest way to have less money.
Good investing is not about getting the highest returns. It's about getting good returns that you can stick with and which can be repeated for the longest period of time. According to the author, the historial odds of making money in US markets are 50/50 over one-day periods, 68% in one-year periods, 88% in 10 -year periods and (sofar) 100% in 20-year periods.
Forecasting is hard. This is why invetsment guru Benjamin Graham is a strong advocate for margin of safety as the purpose of margin of safety is to render the forecast unnecessary. The author cited the success rate of venture financing from 20024 to 2014: 65% lost money, 2.5% of invetsments made 10X to 20X, 1% made more than 20X return, only 1/2% (~100 companies) earn 50X or more.
According to George Soros, it is not whether you are right or wrong that's important but how much money you made when you're right and how much you lose when you're wrong. You can be wrong half the time and still make a fortune.
The most interesting part of the book is the last chapter: Postcript. Thanks to the internet, the world is more connected than ever. What that means is the talent pool the readers compete with has gone from 100s or 1000s sprang their towns to millions or billions spanning the globe.
The author ended the book with a not so pessimistic note. The era of "this isn't working" may stick around. And the era of "We need something radically new, right now, whatever it is" may stick around.
The Psychology of Money is courageously different. It is about life first and finances second. Don’t we want to better understand our behavior, our sense of ourselves and what makes us tick so we can achieve that vibrant and contented life? I know I do.
The author skillfully separates the easy part of discovering the investing process versus the hard part. This may shock newbies, but understanding the quantitative aspect of finances, such as constructing a diversified portfolio of low-cost index funds, is the easy part. Look, it is not the little guy or gal versus the massively intimating stock market with the macho goal of beating the average returns. Instead, this book is about understanding our behavior and the decisions we make to achieve a balanced and calm life with accepting reasonable stock market returns. Now that’s the hard part! But this author makes understanding our behavior achievable and interesting. He accepts whatever skills, experience, or knowledge readers bring to the table.
The author brings up an age-old adage that we have been taught by our elders for generations—don’t take things so personally! With life's many challenges and sometimes negative surprises, isn't it about how we react that counts? Instead, if we respond with wisdom gained from our experiences over the long haul, the challenge itself will eventually be insignificant.
The author explains that our reactive behavior, whether the sudden death of a loved one, a broken water pipe damaging our house, or a stock market crash, how we respond to each of these vastly different crises is no different. As a reviewer of this outstanding book, I took the liberty of interpreting the primary theme with my examples. With the death of a loved one, we can blame the doctors, the hospital, and isolate from friends and family, and sob over beers for the rest of your life as a lonely and bitter widow or widower, or you can blame the stock market, your broker, or valueless Wall Street for your portfolio loses. For example, it is well known that millions of investors reacted negatively for over a decade. They sat out with their two to three trillion of the longest bull market in history because they lost money in the 2008 financial crisis. So, no matter what the experience, isn't it always how we react? This book would help those unfortunate investors pull themselves and their portfolio together to get back in the market.
To bring mindfulness to our reactions, the author talked about investors' emotions, attitude, and temperament. To be successful in this counterintuitive financial system is to be aware and insightful of this powerful psychological human potential—your expectation of future returns. The Goldilocks Principle doesn't have too high return expectations or too low, but somewhere in between. But what is a reasonable expected return?
The author reports one of the most significant FACTS of the entire book: The United States Stock Market Returns 6.8% after Inflation. Allow me to repeat, 6.8%.
According to the author, our United States capitalistic system produces about 6.8% return minus inflation since the 1870s (3.1% average inflation generates a total return of 9.9%). It is the law of averages, and it is powerful if we know how to tap into it and to be 100% satisfied with average returns (It has been researched many times that too many investors fail to get average returns). Morgan explains how to harness this massive industry and what strategy will get you the average return. The goal is to earn the average return over many years. Why? Two reasons:
1. 6.8% return over inflation is a great return!
2. Because our emotions will be spared the negative reactions from the massive swings (volatility) of the stock market which will set you up to panic and “get out.”
This book will help you find that "just right" balance of your investments and your mind so you can sleep soundly with confidence and reach your financial goals over long periods of time. There is no get rich quick scheme. If a financial adviser or your best friend says that they can beat the averages, walk away, and never listen to that nonsense.
Housel encourages all investors by debunking one debilitating myth from the start. All you need to be a successful investor is patience, think long term, and one tiny piece of mathematics, the power of compound interest over decades. You do not need an MBA or a high IQ! In fact, for the newbie financial reader with no financial background or smarts, take heart, you have an advantage. He wrote: "Ordinary folks with no formal financial education can be wealthy if they have a handful of behavioral skills that have nothing to do with formal measures of intelligence."
That's me! I have never taken a financial course in my life. I flunked 2nd grade and I scored a lower than 100 IQ. But I had a huge advantage because I majored in psychology. Knowing how my mind functioned, I mitigated my return expectations of the market and drama during three of the biggest stock market crashes in history. My expectations for growth and losses are reasonable, balanced between stocks and fixed because I knew what the world-wide stock market returns since 1870. With my mind disciplined to stay the course forever and to do what I can do—control the real deal by keeping expenses low and be extremely happy with reasonable returns. I have perfect control by paying myself instead of some Wall Street mucky muck's yacht.
For years, seasoned investors poo-poo psychology (read the one and two-star reviews of this book). There is at least one huge exception. One of the most significant financial thinkers of the 20th century and the mentor and professor of Warren Buffett. Ben Graham wrote said in the very first paragraph of his monumental 623 page The Intelligent Investor, "…little will be said here about the technique of analyzing securities; attention will be paid chiefly to investment principles and investors' attitudes." (1973 revised, page 1).
The author had the great wisdom to cite a book titled “Enough” by the legendary John Bogle. Morgan tells stories of people "hit it big" (IN THE BILLIONS!). It wasn’t "enough." They want more, and in the end, they lost it all. Bogle’s most famous quote to get the market averages mentioned previously is to invest in the “entire haystack, do not look for the needle.”
The author makes an important statement that is long overdue and worth repeating—the qualitative discussions of investing is more complicated than the quantitative discussions. It is humans that make the decisions and do all the trading on the stock exchanges throughout the world. Last I heard, humans have feelings. Housel says that science is exact and is governed by predictable physical laws. Molecules and atoms do not have feelings! But millions of investors do! Sir Isaac Newton would agree. He famously lamented after losing his investments to the South Sea Disaster in the 18th century, "I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people." Knowledge of psychology and behavior will help you understand and protect yourself from the "madness of people."
The author covers a lot of ground because there is a lot of human behavioral and psychological constructs to explain. Luck vs. skill, attitude vs. math, being average vs. being superior, uncertainty vs. certainty, and confidence born from wisdom vs. overconfidence born from recklessness are impossible to measure and explain. The author correctly labeled these constructs “soft skills” (Hard skills are the math, statistics, graphs, and tables). Luck, attitude, accepting average returns, uncertainty, long-term horizon, and overconfidence are difficult to explain without emotional pushback from some investors. Most seasoned investors want to be intelligent, act aggressive, appear confident, and look sophisticated and soft skills will not get them that image and beat the market.
We love to think successes originated on skills, knowledge, intelligence, spreadsheets, and math. The most vital reaction to many seasoned investors is downplaying luck to investment success. But Morgan won't have it. Making money from stock and bond investing is being smart with the complicated reality we face, and spreadsheet knowledge will not be enough. That being lucky is part of the equation. He admits that the luck factor is the question that might not be answered in our lifetimes.
In the meantime, there is nothing wrong with being lucky. The returns are green too. But most seasoned investors feel insulted. Warren Buffett always reports that he is an incredibly fortunate investor born in the United States. I am lucky that I am alive after contracting stage two colon cancer twenty years ago. Any one of us could have been born in a small village in India in abject poverty, a shantytown in Lima, Peru, or one of our country's public housing projects.
Unfortunately, I gave the book four stars. There was one paragraph that does not belong in the book. I was disappointed. I agree that I might be petty, but that paragraph doesn’t make any sense because it doesn’t follow the narrative throughout. On page 218, I rewrote here for those who use the indexing strategy, especially Bogleheads:
“That doesn’t mean index investing will always work. It doesn’t mean it is for everyone. And it doesn’t mean active stock picking is doomed to fail. In general, this industry has become too entrenched on one side or the other—particularly those vehemently against active investing.”
Did the Author Lose His “Psychology” for a Moment?
I scratched my head and seriously wondered, has the author lost his mind? What in the world motivated the author had to write this when he shares how he invests, and it’s just like most Bogleheads and myself invest with low-cost index funds? I believe I can speak for most Bogleheads: of course, we are “vehemently against active investing!” It’s expensive and flawed is thoroughly agreed upon by genuine fiduciary financial advisers. Furthermore, there are books, peer-reviewed academic articles, and the Bogleheads’ forum experiences of how successful the indexing strategy has been overactive management. The author admits on the following page that 85% of active managers fail to beat the averages! The active management strategy has been proven dead for decades, and the author’s stories debunk active management. Over 35 million investors have their seven trillion dollars with Vanguard and TIAA. We know that active managers from Wall Street’s big banks and brokerage firms spend a lot of time sipping martinis on their yachts.
Other than that hideous paragraph, The Psychology of Money is a fine book because it makes a huge contribution to financial discussions and what it means to be financially literate. The qualitative argument of financial literacy is desperately needed in the financial world. The quantitative argument is appropriate for constructing your portfolio and understanding how markets only return 6.8% average for 150 years. I learned a ton by reading those books too. But after that, no amount of math, sophistication, financial engineering, or science will protect investors from a bear market. Only what is between our ears will. Investors must get our heads behind the idea that we are up against a massive industry that wants to use our money to make money for themselves.
The industry is playing a totally different game, different motivation, and most important different life values—they spend 24/7 in front of their powerful computers trading for two goals only, bonuses and beating the averages. I have one more example of luck--We are lucky that Morgan Housel wrote this important work. It is not about looking at your finances 24/7, searching for that investment “gem” that will make you rich quickly or to compete. At the end of the day, it is about doing our part in making the world a better place than it is now, being generous to those in need, be part of something bigger than yourself, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Top reviews from other countries
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Key Themes and Principles:
The Importance of Behavior: Housel emphasizes that our financial success is largely determined by our behavior, not just our investment strategies. He argues that understanding our own psychology and biases is crucial for making sound financial decisions.
The Power of Time and Patience: The book stresses the importance of time and patience in investing. Housel advocates for a long-term perspective and avoiding impulsive decisions driven by fear or greed.
The Role of Luck and Chance: Housel acknowledges the role of luck and chance in financial success. He cautions against attributing all success to skill and warns against the dangers of overconfidence.
The Importance of Simplicity and Humility: The book emphasizes the value of simplicity and humility in managing money. Housel argues that complex strategies and excessive risk-taking often lead to poor outcomes.
The Pursuit of Happiness: Housel explores the relationship between money and happiness. He suggests that true financial well-being is not just about accumulating wealth but also about achieving financial independence and security.
Practical Applications:
Understanding Behavioral Biases: Housel provides insights into common behavioral biases that can lead to poor financial decisions, such as loss aversion, confirmation bias, and herd mentality.
Developing a Long-Term Perspective: The book encourages readers to adopt a long-term perspective on investing and avoid chasing short-term gains.
Embracing Simplicity and Humility: Housel advocates for a simple and disciplined approach to managing money, avoiding unnecessary complexity and risk.
Overall:
"The Psychology of Money" is a refreshing and insightful book that offers a unique perspective on the relationship between money and human behavior. It's a valuable read for anyone looking to develop a more mindful and effective approach to managing their finances. Housel's engaging writing style and real-world examples make the book both informative and entertaining.
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"The Psychology of Money" is a must read to develop a better connection with money. It's not about making more; it's about understanding the role money plays in our lives and how to make better financial decisions.
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