Another one where I had heard an interview with the author and was hoping for more hard science, less pop-sci/self-help. ( )

http://pro-libertate.net/20150706/268-read-happy-money ( )

some excellent insights but lacking a good overall theme ( )

While this book contained plenty of good food for thought, and lots of research that can easily be applied to any set of circumstances to increase happiness, I felt it was hindered routinely by a certain lack of maturity in the writing, particularly a number of awkward innuendos, and none subtle. Perhaps the authors wanted to include these, and anecdotes, in order to make the text more approachable, but in fact I found myself pulling back more in response than anything.

However, if the reader can move past these, then they will receive well-researched psychological tips for increasing happiness in how they choose to spend their money. ( )

The premise of this book is that if you think money can’t buy happiness, you aren’t spending it right. Dunn and Norton explore compelling scientific research on what kinds of expenditures increase happiness versus decrease it, and they present five basic principles: 1. Buy experiences. 2. Make it a treat. 3. Buy time. 4. Pay now, consume later. 5. Invest in others.

Their research is compelling and many of their suggestions are worth taking to heart—like that buying a big house in the suburb won’t make you happy (especially when it comes with a commute). It’s not as helpful on the subject of deliberating limiting one’s consumption—they suggest, apparently seriously, that you would be happier if you loaded a Starbucks card at the beginning of the week with enough money for four brewed coffees and a Friday Frappucino, because then you get the treat on Friday and you enjoy treats more when you separate the paying from the enjoyment. Buy time is also a bit problematic—they do acknowledge that you shouldn’t buy your way out of things you might enjoy, but that’s a brief mention in a long chapter. Still, there were a lot of concrete ideas about getting more happiness out of a dollar, and who doesn’t like that idea? ( )