Dr. Daniel Crosby, the Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions and author of "The Soul of Wealth," dives deep into the intricate dance between money and happiness. He explores how financial success doesn't guarantee emotional well-being and dissects the psychological impacts of social comparisons intensified by social media. Crosby also shares insights on cultivating healthy financial habits and emphasizes that true wealth is found in meaningful experiences, urging listeners to prioritize gratitude.
The podcast emphasizes that while wealth can increase life evaluation, it often fails to enhance emotional well-being, highlighting a disconnect in contemporary society.
Spending on experiences rather than material possessions is shown to provide greater long-term happiness, as it fosters lasting memories and connections.
Deep dives
The Format of Wealth
The book features 50 short reflections on the themes of money and meaning, a format inspired by Rick Rubin's work that notably challenges the traditional essay structure. The author's original attempt consisted of longer chapters, but he found them uninspired and insufficiently engaging. This shorter format increases accessibility and helps concisely deliver insights, which are particularly suited for readers with shorter attention spans. The decision to pivot to this format underscores a broader commitment to making complex ideas around finance more digestible and relevant.
Wealth and Happiness Disconnect
A central thesis of the discussion revolves around the paradox of increasing wealth coinciding with declining happiness in society, highlighting a disconnect between material abundance and emotional well-being. Historical context demonstrates that while more people now have their basic needs met, emerging issues related to relationships, belonging, and purpose have become prominent sources of discontent. As individuals check off the foundational elements of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, new challenges arise regarding how to effectively use financial resources to foster well-being. This observation emphasizes the need for a reevaluation of how wealth is leveraged to enhance quality of life.
Spending on Experiences vs. Material Goods
The research suggests that spending money on experiences rather than material possessions leads to greater long-term happiness due to the human tendency to become habituated to inanimate objects. Episodes of joy from experiences tend to enhance over time, as reflected through cherished memories that filter out negative aspects. Conversely, material goods quickly lose their novelty, diminishing the initial excitement once acquired. By fostering experiences, individuals can create lasting connections and memories that significantly enhance their overall happiness.
Reframing Retirement and Financial Habits
The discussion challenges the traditional notion of retirement as a hard stop, advocating for a more nuanced transition that maintains elements of work, which can provide meaning and purpose. The PERMA model for well-being illustrates that positive relationships, engagement, meaning, and achievement contribute significantly to life satisfaction, diminishing the overwhelming focus on merely enjoying leisure activities. Additionally, establishing healthy financial habits is highlighted as crucial for building long-term well-being, where self-reflection on spending aligns with personal values and prioritizes meaningful purchases. This approach encourages finding a balance between enjoying immediate benefits and planning for a purposeful retirement.
Today on the podcast, we welcome back Dr. Daniel Crosby. Daniel is the author of a new book called The Soul of Wealth: 50 Reflections on Money and Meaning. Daniel is the chief behavioral officer at Orion Advisor Solutions. In addition to The Soul of Money, Daniel has written several other books on behavioral finance, including The Behavioral Investor, The Laws of Wealth: Psychology and the Secret to Investor Success, and You’re Not That Great. Daniel also hosts his own podcast called Standard Deviations. He received his Bachelor of Science degree and PhD in Psychology, both from Brigham Young University.