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Happy Money

The New Science of Smarter Spending

Published by Oneworld Publications
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

After a fairly low threshold, income and material wealth have no measurable effect on happiness. But how we spend our money does.

In this groundbreaking book, Dr Elizabeth Dunn and Dr Michael Norton explain the secret to “happiness-efficient” spending. Using their own cutting-edge 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.

About The Authors

Elizabeth Dunn is an associate professor of psychology at the University of British Colombia in Vancouver, Canada. Their research into money and happiness has been covered internationally in Forbes, CNN, and Psychology Today.

Michael Norton is an associate professor of marketing at the Harvard Business School.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Oneworld Publications (June 1, 2013)
  • Length: 224 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781780742236

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Raves and Reviews

'Dunn and Norton are enthusiastic and engaging writers… and they are careful to back up their recommendations with citations to the relevant academic literature.'

– Times Higher Education

'A small investment in this invaluable book could be worth its weight in gold… combine[s] a witty, conversational style with a dazzling depth of research… Whether you have lots of money or are on a tight budget, this may change how you look at your life – for the better.'

– Daily Mail

'Show your money worries the door with this practical and fascinating read.'

– Healthy magazine

'An interesting and breezily written book, full of fun anecdotes and behavioural research… Money may not be able to buy you happiness but purchasing this book might just help steer you in the right direction.'

– Financial Times

'How to spend smarter? Read this book!—a rare combination of informed science writing, rollicking good fun, and practical pointers for a more flourishing and compassionate life.'

– David G. Myers, author of The Pursuit of Happiness

'Packed with tips to help wage slaves as well as lottery winners… people will come away from this book believing it was money well spent.'

– The Economist

'Cutting edge. Like stand-up comedians of science, Dunn and Norton take ordinary observations that everybody experiences and craftily distil them with a clarity that makes us laugh, and then makes us think.'

– Dan Ariely, author of Predictably Irrational

'Lively and engaging. Happy Money isn’t a purchase; it’s an investment—and a shrewd one at that.'

– Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness

'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

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