Countless books tell us how to make money or invest money. A few tell us how to spend money in a financially wise way. But few, if any, tell us how to spend our money to maximize our happiness.

Michael Norton and Elizabeth Dunn have taken on a controversial and difficult topic in Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending. Aesthetics tell us to give up on material things, others tell us that he who dies with the most toys wins. But few philosophies tend to be both pragmatic and driven by human passion. This book tries to find that balance.

For instance, the book calls us to spend our money on experiences more than on material things. Experiences create memories, give us joy, and provide satisfaction. Material things do these same things at first, but quickly lose their luster and we become bored with them. Or contemplate the old adage that “time is money.” We should never pay a bill until we absolutely have to, preserving our cash so we can continue to earn interest on it. But the authors argue otherwise, saying we can enjoy an experience (or product) more if we have it paid for in advance.

I don’t buy everything in this book. But I do like how it’s presented, the thoughts it triggers, and the overall ideas it generates. Definitely worth reading, especially if you find yourself on a middle class budget and wondering how to afford all the goodies life can offer.