Lifetime Book Club: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Lifetime Book Club! Each month, we’ll dive into a book that we believe can truly impact your financial journey. This month, we're starting strong with The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel.
Why We Love It:
The Psychology of Money isn’t just about numbers and charts. It’s about the human side of finance – the emotions, decisions, and behaviours that drive our financial lives. Housel masterfully weaves together stories and insights, making complex concepts both relatable and understandable.
Key Takeaways:
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Behavior Trumps Knowledge: Housel argues that how you behave with money is more important than what you know. This resonates deeply with us at Lifetime because we believe that financial success is not just about having the right information but also about making smart decisions consistently.
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The Role of Luck and Risk: Understanding the balance between luck and risk can help you make better financial choices. Housel's anecdotes about real-life investors illustrate how these elements play a crucial role in our financial outcomes.
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Tailoring Advice to Your Life: One of the most powerful messages in the book is that personal finance is indeed personal. What works for one person might not work for another. This aligns perfectly with our approach at Lifetime – we tailor our advice to fit your unique circumstances and goals.
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The Importance of Saving: Housel highlights the value of saving, not just for big goals, but for the unexpected twists and turns life throws at us. It's a simple yet profound reminder that aligns with our ethos of creating financial certainty.
Why You Should Read It:
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by financial advice, this book will be a breath of fresh air. Housel's straightforward, engaging style makes complex ideas accessible and enjoyable to read. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, The Psychology of Money offers valuable insights that can help you navigate your financial journey with more confidence and clarity.
Win a Copy:
Congratulations to Andrea, winner of this month's Lifetime Book Club book give away.
Happy reading, and here’s to making smarter, more informed financial decisions together!
Market & Portfolio Update - January 2026
After strong gains in 2025, the global share market (represented by the MSCI World Gross Index) took a breather in January, returning 0.1% in NZ dollar terms. While the ‘Magnificent 7’ (the seven largest US-listed companies, including Google, Microsoft & Apple) have been large drivers behind the recent gains seen from the US share market, January told a different story. There appeared to be ‘catch-up’ trade where investors moved out of concentrated tech positions and into the rest of the market, with the Russell 2000 index (a widely regarded proxy for smaller US companies) having a strong month. This was generally seen as improving confidence in the broader US economy.
Interest Rate Averaging: A Smarter Way to Manage Mortgage Risk
When it comes to mortgages, most people focus on one thing, getting the lowest interest rate.
But the lowest rate today doesn’t always lead to the best outcome over time.
Interest Rate Averaging is a strategy designed to reduce risk, smooth cashflow, and create flexibility, rather than trying to perfectly time interest rates, which no one can do consistently.