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Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending
Two professors combine their fascinating and cutting-edge research in behavioral science to explain how money can buy happiness—if you follow five core principles of smart spending.
Most people recognize that they need professional advice on how to earn, save, and invest their money. When it comes to spendingthat money, most people just follow their intuitions. But scientific research shows that those intuitions are often wrong.
Happy Money offers a tour of research on the science of spending, explaining how you can get more happiness for your money. Authors Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton have outlined five principles—from choosing experiences over stuff to spending money on others—to guide not only individuals looking for financial security, but also companies seeking to create happier employees and provide “happier products” to their customers. Dunn and Norton show how companies from Google to Pepsi to Charmin have put these ideas into action.
Along the way, Dunn and Norton explore fascinating research that reveals that luxury cars often provide no more pleasure than economy models, that commercials can actually enhance the enjoyment of watching television, and that residents of many cities frequently miss out on inexpensive pleasures in their hometowns. By the end of this “lively and engaging book” (Dan Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness), you’ll be asking yourself one simple question every time you reach for your wallet: Am I getting the biggest happiness bang for my buck?
Most people recognize that they need professional advice on how to earn, save, and invest their money. When it comes to spendingthat money, most people just follow their intuitions. But scientific research shows that those intuitions are often wrong.
Happy Money offers a tour of research on the science of spending, explaining how you can get more happiness for your money. Authors Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton have outlined five principles—from choosing experiences over stuff to spending money on others—to guide not only individuals looking for financial security, but also companies seeking to create happier employees and provide “happier products” to their customers. Dunn and Norton show how companies from Google to Pepsi to Charmin have put these ideas into action.
Along the way, Dunn and Norton explore fascinating research that reveals that luxury cars often provide no more pleasure than economy models, that commercials can actually enhance the enjoyment of watching television, and that residents of many cities frequently miss out on inexpensive pleasures in their hometowns. By the end of this “lively and engaging book” (Dan Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness), you’ll be asking yourself one simple question every time you reach for your wallet: Am I getting the biggest happiness bang for my buck?
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About the author
Elizabeth Dunn
22 books48 followersElizabeth Dunn is an associate professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. At age twenty-six, 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.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 27, 2025
Really enjoyed this one, especially after reading “The Year of Less”. Five core principles of how to spend your money to increase your happiness backed by research and mixed with humor.
“Am I spending this money in the way that will give me the biggest happiness bang for my buck?”
1. Buy experiences not material things.
People who spend more of their money on leisure report greater satisfaction with their lives. Trips, movies, sporting events, gym memberships., etc
2. Make it a treat.
“an escape from adaption”
businesses do this - “for a limited time”, Chick-fil-A closed on Sundays, Reese eggs only for Easter
Knowing that something won’t last forever can make us appreciate it more. Ex. college seniors at the end of their undergrad experience, take time by taking scenic routes to class, taking photos and visiting their favorite places
even the briefs of breaks can allow our cheerometers to reset
3. Buy time.
4. Pay now, consume later.
The exact opposite of what the world tries to do now with credit cards and $0 down, etc
Like a trip paid in advance. Enjoy it even more at the time of your trip.
5. Invest in other others.
“Am I spending this money in the way that will give me the biggest happiness bang for my buck?”
1. Buy experiences not material things.
People who spend more of their money on leisure report greater satisfaction with their lives. Trips, movies, sporting events, gym memberships., etc
2. Make it a treat.
“an escape from adaption”
businesses do this - “for a limited time”, Chick-fil-A closed on Sundays, Reese eggs only for Easter
Knowing that something won’t last forever can make us appreciate it more. Ex. college seniors at the end of their undergrad experience, take time by taking scenic routes to class, taking photos and visiting their favorite places
even the briefs of breaks can allow our cheerometers to reset
3. Buy time.
4. Pay now, consume later.
The exact opposite of what the world tries to do now with credit cards and $0 down, etc
Like a trip paid in advance. Enjoy it even more at the time of your trip.
5. Invest in other others.
Displaying 1 of 1 review