All the Money in the World, Laura Vanderkam
All the Money in the World, Laura Vanderkam
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All the Money in the World
What the Happiest People Know About Getting and Spending

Author: Laura Vanderkam

Narrator: Karen Saltus

Unabridged: 7 hr 23 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Ascent Audio

Published: 03/20/2012


Synopsis

How happy would you be if you had all the money in the world? The universal lament about money is that there is never enough. We spend endless hours obsessing over our budgets and investments, trying to figure out ways to stretch every dollar. We try to follow the advice of money gurus and financial planners, then kick ourselves whenever we spend too much or save too little. For all of the stress and effort we put into every choice, why are most of us unhappy about our finances?

According to Laura Vanderkam, the key is to change your perspective. Instead of looking at money as a scarce resource, consider it a tool that you can use creatively to build a better life for yourself and the people you care about.

For instance, the average couple spends $5,000 on engagement and wedding rings, making these pricey purchases largely because everyone else does. But what if you decided to spend $300 on rings and apply the rest to future date nights, weekend getaways, and thinking-of-you bouquets over the next ten years? In he long run, what would bring more joy to your marriage? Likewise, will owning a home with a pristine lawn and a two-car garage—the American Dream—really make you more satisfied? Or are you saving up for this investment just because financial planners tell you it’s worth it?

Vanderkam shows how each of us can figure out better ways to use what we have to build the lives we want. Drawing on the latest happiness research as well as the stories of dozens of real people, Vanderkam offers a contrarian approach that forces us to examine our own beliefs, goals, and values.

Among her advice:

Laugh at the Joneses: It’s human nature to compare yourself to those around you, but you can create lifestyle hat rings you personal satisfaction without copying your neighbors.
Give yourself the best weekend ever: Studies show that experiences often bring more pleasure than material goods. With a little planning and creativity, you can give yourself a memorable getaway without leaving town or going broke.
Embrace the selfish joy of giving: Giving back not only helps you build karma, it also helps you build a community—which is much more fulfilling than a tax deduction. All the Money in the World is a practical and inspiring guide that shows how money can buy happiness—if we spend it wisely.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Zoe on October 12, 2012

Great premise. Maybe someone less completely oblivious will write a useful book on the subject one day. Here's the premise: 1. Become mindful of what you're doing with your money (and of what you can't do because of other choices you're making) 2. Question your assumptions about spending, saving and e......more

Goodreads review by Ciara on August 26, 2012

i really enjoy reading books about money, & i was enjoying this book, despite its occasional wackadoo suggestions, right up until the end. but in the very last chapter, she writes about phil cooley, who owns slows BBQ in detroit. she casts him as someone who is making all the right financial decisio......more

Goodreads review by Janssen on January 29, 2021

Really fascinating look at money and how we spend it.......more

Goodreads review by Anne on February 22, 2012

I enjoyed Vanderkam's take on money in this book. Her style will be familiar to anyone who read her earlier work 168 Hours--Vanderkam herself describes All The Money as "168 Hours, but about money instead of time." Personally, I like Vanderkam's style, but I can see how not everyone would. I found m......more

Goodreads review by Bonnie on March 21, 2018

in summary: don't spend money on stupid shit, unless it's stupid shit you really like......more