The Psychology of Money

Housel encourages the reader to save their money. He observes that some people do not think they can save anything, while others feel that they do not need to, and the author addresses both of these groups. Housel argues that while income and investment returns influence your financial health, your savings rate is the biggest factor in building wealth. Housel considers savings inherently more reliable as investments, since savings are guaranteed while investment returns are inherently risky. Housel calls wealth “the accumulated leftovers after you spend what you take in,” and considers long-term wealth “powered by your own frugality and efficiency” (95).

Housel questions the value of working more while overspending, since it can be easier to cut back on spending than to dedicate more hours to work. As such, he advises, “one of the most powerful ways to increase your savings isn’t to raise your income. It’s to raise your humility” (97). Housel reiterates the value in having high self-esteem that does not depend on status symbols or external validation. He argues, “You can spend less if you desire less. And you will desire less if you care less about what others think of you […] money relies more on psychology than finance” (97, emphasis added).