All the Money in the World

What the Happiest People Know About Getting and Spending

By: Laura Vanderkam

Narrated by: Karen Saltus

How happy would you be if you had all the money in the world? The universal lament about money is that there is never enough. We spend endless hours obsessing over our budgets and investments, trying to figure out ways to stretch every dollar. We try to follow the advice of money gurus and financial planners, then kick ourselves whenever we spend too much or save too little. For all of the stress and effort we put into every choice, why are most of us unhappy about our finances?

According to Laura Vanderkam, the key is to change your perspective. Instead of looking at money as a scarce resource, consider it a tool that you can use creatively to build a better life for yourself and the people you care about. For instance, the average couple spends $5,000 on engagement and wedding rings, making these pricey purchases largely because everyone else does. But what if you decided to spend $300 on rings and apply the rest to future date nights, weekend getaways, and thinking-of-you bouquets over the next ten years? In the long run, what would bring more joy to your marriage? Likewise, will owning a home with a pristine lawn and a two-car garage - the American Dream - really make you more satisfied? Or are you saving up for this investment just because financial planners tell you it’s worth it? /p>

Vanderkam shows how each of us can figure out better ways to use what we have to build the lives we want. Drawing on the latest happiness research as well as the stories of dozens of real people, Vanderkam offers a contrarian approach that forces us to examine our own beliefs, goals, and values.

Among her advice:

• Laugh at the Joneses: It’s human nature to compare yourself to those around you, but you can create lifestyle that brings you personal satisfaction without copying your neighbors.
• Give yourself the best weekend ever: Studies show that experiences often bring more pleasure than material goods. With a little planning and creativity, you can give yourself a memorable getaway without leaving town or going broke.
• Embrace the selfish joy of giving: Giving back not only helps you build karma, it also helps you build a community - which is much more fulfilling than a tax deduction.

All the Money in the World is a practical and inspiring guide that shows how money can buy happiness - if we spend it wisely.

©2012 Laura Vanderkam (P)2012 Gildan Media, LLC

Critic reviews

“Money is one of the most complex, emotionally charged issues within the larger subject of happiness. In this engaging and thought-provoking book, Laura Vanderkam explains how we can get the most happiness bang for our buck - right here and now, in the way we live our ordinary lives.” (Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project)

“ All the Money in the World offers a total rethink on personal finance. Instead of prescribing the same-old hard-to-follow rules, Vanderkam encourages you to take your own values and goals into account when it comes to saving and spending. It is packed with creative ideas on how to get more, spend less, and most importantly, better use what you have. This book shows you that it’s not dollar signs that are standing in the way of what you want in life.” (Adelaide Lancaster, author of The Big Enough Company)

She does it again! Great book

Although I did disagree with some of her thoughts, she forced me to think through my habits and thoughts about money and what I wanted from it.

motivating and creative

i appreciate that this book doesn't push get rich quick fads. it helped me see the possibilities that my money could afford me if I wanted to make some changes.

Very Interesting Concepts About Money & Happiness

If you could sum up All the Money in the World in three words, what would they be?

Interesting Happiness Ideas

Any additional comments?

Great take on what it is about money that bring us happiness. However, the narrator is very weak. One of the few times where the narration significant detracts fromt the overall experience of the audiobook

Very Practical Book with Good Ideas

If you could sum up All the Money in the World in three words, what would they be?

Helpful to rethink how you prioritize your resources and work life

What did you like best about this story?

Time management with fresh ideas.

What about Karen Saltus’s performance did you like?

Pace was fine.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Pretty close. I stayed with it in several sessions until it was complete. It wasn't a long book and got to the point not wasting time which is what the book is all about.

Any additional comments?

I like all of Laura Vanderkam's books that reveal her research and findings about how people can spend their time and money more efficiently. There were new ideas she presented--at least for me.

Very good read & super educational!

Loved the first half and got a lot of great ideas on how to view money. The second half seemed redundant within each individual chapter. Overall, great concepts. I would recommend to anyone starting to manage their own money. Felt like I was talking to my parents, on what they should have taught me.

Not much to learn from this book

I would not recommend this book. The material was not very substantive or useful.