The Psychology of Money Book Summary - The Psychology of Money Book explained in key points
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The Psychology of Money summary

Morgan Housel

Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness

4.4 (1809 ratings)
22 mins

Brief summary

The Psychology Of Money explores the role of human behavior in personal finance, offering insights on how to make smarter financial decisions and build wealth.
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    The Psychology of Money
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    Everyone has their own experience of the economy and money.

    The story of the Great Depression is well-known. 

    After a disastrous stock market crash in 1929, the global economy entered a decade of sustained decline. 

    In the United States, the “roaring twenties” came to an abrupt halt. Businesses folded, families lost their farms and homes, and hard-earned savings disappeared into thin air. Poverty and joblessness skyrocketed, while faith that tomorrow would be better than yesterday plummeted. 

    Today, this version of events has become the standard narrative. That stands to reason – it does, after all, describe the experience of millions of Americans. But it also leaves something important out of the picture. 

    The key message in this blink is: Everyone has their own experience of the economy and money. 

    When John F. Kennedy ran for president in 1960, he was asked about his experience of the Great Depression. His answer surprised many voters. 

    The Kennedys, he said, were already wealthy in 1929. And over the next ten years, their fortune wasn’t wiped out – it actually grew. By 1939, the family had more servants and lived in a bigger house than it had at the start of the decade. It was only when he went to Harvard and read about the Depression that he realized how badly many of his fellow citizens had suffered. 

    Not all Americans, it turned out, had been in the same boat. Kennedy wanted to change that, which is partly how he convinced voters that he wasn’t just an out-of-touch elitist, but a worthy president. But it’s not only the rich and the poor who have contrasting experiences of economic life – we all do. 

    The son of an unemployed farmhand and the son of a successful Manhattan stockbroker don’t just come from different walks of life – they also learn profoundly different lessons about things like risk and reward when it comes to money. But, as we’ll see later on, the same applies to equally well-off people depending on their individual life experiences. 

    For example, a wealthy individual who grew up during periods of high inflation will have a different financial worldview than a similarly wealthy person who’s only ever experienced stable prices. The resulting lessons of these different perspectives shape what we do with money. 

    We all like to think we know how the world works, but we usually only experience a small sliver of that reality. And that’s the first thing to understand when it comes to the psychology of money: we know less than we’d like to think we do. 

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    What is The Psychology of Money about?

    The Psychology of Money (2020) looks at the way money works in the real world. Financial decisions are rarely driven by the theories of economists and the neat spreadsheets of accountants. Instead, a myriad of factors, from personal history to pride and even envy, shape our decision-making. The results are often surprising – and always fascinating.

    The Psychology of Money Review

    The Psychology Of Money (2020) delves into the intricate relationship between human behavior and money management. Here's why you should read it:

    • It offers a fresh perspective on personal finance, emphasizing the importance of understanding emotions and biases.
    • The book is filled with compelling stories and real-life examples that make complex concepts easy to grasp.
    • It provides actionable advice on how to build wealth and make better financial choices.

    Dive into The Psychology Of Money and transform your financial mindset.

    Best quote from The Psychology of Money

    Not all success is due to hard work, and not all poverty is due to laziness. Keep this in mind when judging people, including yourself.

    —Morgan Housel
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    Who should read The Psychology of Money?

    • Investors and savers
    • Entrepreneurs 
    • History buffs

    About the Author

    Morgan Housel is a partner at the Collaborative Fund and a financial journalist who has written for the Motley Fool and the Wall Street Journal. Based in Seattle, he has won multiple awards for his writing, including the New York Times Sidney Award and the Best in Business Award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.

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    The Psychology of Money FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Psychology Of Money?

    The Psychology Of Money highlights the importance of understanding human behavior to make better financial decisions and build wealth.

    How long does it take to read The Psychology Of Money?

    Reading The Psychology Of Money typically takes around 6 hours, while the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is The Psychology Of Money a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Psychology Of Money is both enlightening and engaging, offering valuable insights on the emotional aspects of personal finance.

    Who is the author of The Psychology Of Money?

    The author of The Psychology Of Money is Morgan Housel.

    How many chapters are in The Psychology Of Money?

    The Psychology Of Money by Morgan Housel has 20 chapters. Here's a list of the chapters:

    1. No One's Crazy
    2. Luck & Risk
    3. Never Enough
    4. Confounding Compounding
    5. Getting Wealthy vs. Staying Wealthy
    6. Tails, You Win
    7. Freedom
    8. Man in the Car Paradox
    9. Wealth is What You Don't See
    10. Save Money
    11. Reasonable > Rational
    12. Surprise!
    13. Room for Error
    14. You'll Change
    15. Nothing's Free
    16. You & Me
    17. The Seduction of Pessimism
    18. When You'll Believe Anything
    19. All Together Now
    20. Confessions

    How many pages are in The Psychology Of Money?

    The Psychology Of Money has 242 pages.

    When was The Psychology Of Money published?

    The Psychology Of Money was published in 2020.

    What to read after The Psychology of Money?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Psychology of Money, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
    • Outlive by Peter Attia
    • The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
    • Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
    • The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham and comments by Jason Zweig
    • The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
    • 7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness by Jim Rohn
    • 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson
    • The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
    • Atomic Habits by James Clear