Happy Money: The New Science of Smarter Spending
Dr Elizabeth Dunn and Dr Michael Norton explain the secret to “happiness-efficient” spending. They argue that money can buy happiness – if you spend it right.
The explain that, after a fairly low threshold, income and material wealth have no measurable effect on happiness. But how we spend our money does.
Their insights should prove useful to many charity fundraisers.
Using their own research, they reveal:
• Why it’s better to buy concert tickets instead of a new iPhone
• Adverts actually make television more enjoyable
• Why you should book your next holiday many months in advance
• How “time affluence” is more important than a fat pay cheque
• Why charitable giving is the best investment you can make
A rare combination of informed science writing, wit, and practical pointers for a flourishing life, Happy Money will help you to be more fulfilled for less.
‘Many books have been written to tell you how to make money, save money, and invest money. Now there’s a book that can tell you how to spend it. Wisely.’
– Chip Heath, co-author of Decisive: How to Make Better Decisions in Life and Work
‘Wise and entertaining… Dunn and Norton provide practical and well-evidenced insights for all of us, from individuals, to communities, to governments.’
– David Halpern, Behavioural Insight Team, No 10, and author of The Hidden Wealth of Nations
Elizabeth Dunn is an associate professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. At 26 she was featured as one of the “rising stars” across all of academia by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Her work has been featured in top academic journals, including two recent papers in Science, and in hundreds of media outlets worldwide.
Michael Norton is an associate professor of marketing at Harvard Business School. His research has twice been featured in the New York Times Magazine Year in Ideas issue. In 2012, he was selected for Wired magazine’s Smart List as one of “50 People Who Will Change the World.”
