We kicked off StewCrew Reads, with a book that had been sitting on our “must read” lists for awhile now – The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. You can catch a recording of the discussion on our YouTube channel once the editing is complete. In the meantime, we wanted to share some highlights and key takeaways.
Why This Book?
It came highly recommended on Goodreads, and within the financial world, it’s become something of a modern classic. But even more than that, it lines up perfectly with how we’re trying to reframe financial conversations—not as number crunching exercises, but as deeply human stories.
Did We Like It?
We did. Not because it’s filled with fancy charts or aggressive investment strategies (spoiler: it’s not), but because it’s honest. Relatable. Grounded in the way real people think and feel about money. The author even shares his own money situation. That’s a rarity in finance books.
The Big Takeaways
There are a few major themes in the book that hit true for us and we want to remind you of them.
- Behaviour > Brilliance: Success with money isn’t about how smart you are; it’s about how you behave with the money you have (or don’t have).
- Enough is a decision, not a number: The goalposts don’t move unless you move them.
- Wealth is what you don’t see: Flashy doesn’t mean the same as financially prepared for what the journey of life sends your way..
- Saving is strength: Not just for retirement, but for freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind.
- Plan for the real world: Life doesn’t follow a spreadsheet. Good planning makes space for surprises.
- Emotion, fear and stories matter: Money decisions are rarely purely logical.
- Legacy and values: The end game isn’t just money—it’s meaning.
Why People Feel Intimidated by Financial Advice
The stories in this book about greed and missteps? They definitely don’t help. But intimidation often comes from deeper places too:
- The language—so much jargon, it can feel like a foreign language.
- The fear of judgment—people worry they’re behind, or that they should have figured things out by now.
- The pride thing—it’s hard to ask for help, especially with something so personal.
But here’s the truth: we don’t judge. Honestly, most people are in the same boat, or one very close to it. The only thing that matters is that you’re here now and ready to move forward.
Up Next for StewCrew Reads…
We’re reading Atomic Habits by James Clear next. Alex and Megan will host the discussion on April 30, 2025, look out for the registration information on our social media channels in the next week.
— The Stew Crew
