At The Money: Our Complicated Relationship With Cash
Oct 16, 2024
auto_awesome
Dr. Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions and author of 'The Laws of Wealth,' joins Barry Ritholtz to discuss our complex relationship with money. They tackle cognitive biases that cloud financial decisions and highlight how spending on experiences can lead to greater happiness than accumulating wealth. Crosby emphasizes the importance of delayed gratification and creating a personalized financial plan that reflects true values. The conversation also touches on the mental health aspects of mindful spending and its impact on overall life satisfaction.
True wealth encompasses experiences, relationships, and personal growth, highlighting that financial success is just one aspect of a fulfilling life.
Recognizing common behavioral errors in finance, such as overconfidence and emotional decision-making, is essential for improving financial behavior and investment outcomes.
Deep dives
Understanding True Wealth
True wealth extends beyond financial metrics and encompasses various facets of life such as experiences, relationships, and personal growth. Positive psychology research highlights five core elements that contribute to a fulfilling life, including engagement, relationships, meaning, advancement, and positive experiences. This multidimensional approach challenges the conventional notion of wealth, which is often reduced to mere numbers. Emphasizing the importance of these elements suggests that a richer life includes deeper connections and personal development rather than just financial success.
Behavioral Errors in Finance
Common behavioral errors in finance can lead to misguided decisions and negative outcomes. Key errors include ego-driven overconfidence, emotional decision-making, distractions from media, and a conservative approach to risk. Understanding these biases is crucial for improving financial behavior and achieving better investment results. By acknowledging these psychological tendencies, individuals can make more informed choices and cultivate a healthier relationship with money.
The Importance of Delayed Gratification
Delayed gratification is a vital concept for building long-term wealth and achieving goals. Immediate gratification often leads to impulsive decisions, while the ability to postpone pleasure can result in more substantial rewards in the future. As individuals age, their comfort with delaying gratification tends to improve, fostering a more balanced perspective on financial planning. Developing a clear sense of purpose and envisioning future benefits can help reinforce the motivation to prioritize long-term gains over instant rewards.
In this episode, Dr. Daniel Crosby sits down with Barry Ritholtz to discuss how to improve our relationship with money and earning, investing and spending our cash. Crosby is Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions, where he helps financial advisors apply behavioral science in their practice. He is the author of "The Laws of Wealth: Psychology and the Secret to Investing Success."
Each week, “At the Money” discusses an important topic in money management. From portfolio construction to taxes and cutting down on fees, join Barry Ritholtz to learn the best ways to put your money to work.