🍺 3 Takeaways from The Art of Spending Money
This Week’s Story
I recently picked up Morgan Housel’s newest book, The Art of Spending Money.
At first glance, you might think—“Spending money? That’s easy.”
But as I turned the pages, it hit me: most of us have no idea why we spend the way we do.
It’s not just about earning, saving, or even investing. It’s about understanding what money really means to you—and how to use it without regret.
💡 Money Rule of the Week: Minimize Future Regret
We’ve all heard the classic financial clichés:
“Live for today.”
“Save for the future.”
The truth? Neither is perfect.
As Housel puts it: “The only good financial advice is to minimize future regret.”
That hit me hard. Because whether you’re saving too aggressively or spending too freely, the real goal isn’t to die with the biggest account balance...it’s to live a life you won’t regret.
No one looks back wishing they’d checked their 401(k) one more time. They wish they’d spent more time with their family, built memories, and lived a life of meaning.
If you focus your financial plan around minimizing regret, you’ll start making decisions that actually serve you, not some spreadsheet version of success.
⚙️ Quick Takeaways
1. Memories Are the Greatest Asset
You’ve heard me tell the story—how I almost bought a Porsche.
My wife called me out: “You don’t even care about cars.”
She was right. I didn’t want the car...I wanted the status.
That moment shifted how I think about spending.
When your money aligns with your values, you stop chasing things and start creating experiences.
2. Define What Wealth Means to You
Wealth isn’t about how much you have, it’s about how intentionally you use it.
If you’re buying things to impress people who don’t even notice, you’re spending money on stress.
3. Think Independently
Housel defines independent thinking as “when your beliefs on one topic can’t be predicted by your beliefs on another.”
In money terms: just because you make $500K doesn’t mean you “should” drive a luxury car or live on the lake.
The best financial plans are personal, not predictable.
🍻 Beer of the Week: Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA
Crisp, balanced, and not what everyone else is drinking — the perfect reminder to enjoy what fits you, not what fits the crowd.
🎙️ Podcast
In this week’s Beer and Money Podcast, I unpack these three takeaways from Morgan Housel’s The Art of Spending Money and how they can reshape your relationship with money.
🎥 Want to go deeper? Watch the full conversation on our Beer and Money , I share personal stories and examples that hit harder when you see them.
🍺 Your Move
Get Your Financial Scorecard → Financial Scorecard
Book a Meeting → Talk To Someone
Closing
Money isn’t about perfection, it’s about purpose.
Spend it in ways that make you proud, not pressured.
Live intentionally. Minimize regret. And always make room for the memories.
Cheers,
Ryan