What people said about the first edition of
How Much Is Enough?
The best book I have ever read on money, happiness, and the steps you can take to achieve your dreams. With simple explanations, easy-to-follow suggestions, and a gentle grace, the authors guide you along the path to greater self-understanding and enhanced well-being. It is an outstanding book. Read it and you will live a happier life.
Dr. Richard L. Peterson, founder, Market Psychology Consulting, and author of Inside the Investors Brain: The Power of Mind over Money
Simply put, this is a GREAT book to read, but youll find its even a BETTER book to use. As I read it, I found myself wishing I had written it myself.
Doug Lennick, CFP, CEO, Lennick Aberman Group, and coauthor of Moral Intelligence: Enhancing Business Performance and Leadership Success
The authors open a whole new world that ties the psyche to the state of our finances. How Much Is Enough? is more than any guidebook found on the shelves of the self-help section. Its outstanding quality is the depth at which it explores the tie between mental choices and the decisions that govern our financial status the ideas that have been introduced challenge the way we see money and proffer a guide to maximize our wealth potential.
MillionaireAsia, January 2008
Fascinating and challenging. Ive read it from cover to cover and cant stop thinking about it. Ive determined to buy it for each of my children.
Dr. Rosemary Howell, chairman, Strategic Action Pty. Ltd.
Threatens to have long-lasting and far-reaching consequences for financial planning.
Sydney Morning Herald, November 17, 2007
Wonderful insights into the role of money, happiness, and how to lead a meaningful life.
Raymond Ackerman, founder, Pick n Pay, and author of Hearing Grasshoppers Jump
Conveys a central message. Work from the inside out. Financial success is only one part of a multifaceted person. Knowing what is important to you is the first thing you need to know; getting the resources to achieve that ultimate goal is just a supporting role. There is the need for the earnest pursuit of a different type of capital. Happiness Capital.
Wealth, September 2007
Thought-provoking and ultimately upliftingI will be permanently better off for having read it.
James OLoughlin, author of The Real Warren Buffett
Abey and Ford delve into the reasons why even though were living longer, are richer and have more choices than ever before, many of us fail to choose things in life that make us truly happy. This practical guide uses interesting real life case studies to illustrate its teachings not only will this book inspire you, it will guide you through practical strategies to enable you to live your dream.
The Finder, September 2007
Published by Greenleaf Book Group Press
Austin, TX
www.greenleafbookgroup.com
First edition published 2007 by A&B Publishers Pty. Ltd. atf A&B Trust, Australia
Copyright 2009 by Arun Abey and Andrew Ford
All rights reserved under all copyright conventions.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.
Distributed by Greenleaf Book Group LLC
For ordering information or special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Greenleaf Book Group LLC at PO Box 97869, Austin, TX 78709, (512) 891-6100.
Design and composition by Greenleaf Book Group LLC
Cover design by Greenleaf Book Group LLC
Publishers Cataloging-In-Publication Data
(Prepared by The Donohue Group, Inc.)
Abey, Arun.
How much is enough? : making financial decisions that create wealth and well-being / Arun Abey & Andrew Ford. -- 2nd ed.
p. : charts ; cm.
Previous ed. published: [Sydney], Australia : A&B Publishers Pty Ltd atf A&B Trust, 2007.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
eISBN: 978-1-60832-149-0
1. Finance, Personal. 2. Investments. I. Ford, Andrew (Andrew Robert James), 1968- II. Title.
HG179 .A249 2009
332.024/01 2008944175
| Part of the Tree Neutral program, which offsets the number of trees consumed in the production and printing of this book by taking proactive steps, such as planting trees in direct proportion to the number of trees used: www.treeneutral.com |
Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper
09 10 11 12 13 14 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
Second Edition
Authors note: This book provides general information about money, investment, and peoples attitudes toward these subjects. Every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of the book are accurate at the time of publication. Investment markets and the factors that drive them are constantly changing, however. Information in the book is in no way intended to replace or supersede independent or other professional advice. Neither the authors nor the publisher may be held responsible for any action or claim resulting from the use of this book or any information contained in it. References to dollars, unless otherwise specified, are to U.S. dollars.
The various case studies and stories of peoples lives are drawn from real-life experiences that in some cases involve composite stories. Peoples names have been changed in these stories to protect their privacy.
To our clients around the world,
who have given us their trust and
the privilege of sharing in their life dreams
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
S INCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE FIRST EDITION of How Much Is Enough? we have spent countless hours discussing, further researching, and making presentations to a range of audiences on the themes of money and well-being raised in the book. We have been pleased by the strong level of reader engagement we have received and the personal stories that have been shared openly. It seems we are not the only ones asking, and attempting to answer, the question How much is enough?
While many of these letters and conversations have been private, one of the most memorable was from an executive who had that morning taken a break from his hectic schedule to walk his young daughter to school for the first time in months. He had then taken the trouble to e-mail us to explain how much this simple act had meant to himand to his daughter. We would like to thank each of these correspondents and, where possible, we have incorporated their insights into the text of this revised and fully updated edition.
This edition also features an additional chapter titled Kids, Money, and Happiness. Parents of young children in particular have asked for more information on the fascinating challenge of inculcating in our children a healthy respect for the important role that money can play in life, combined with an appreciation of the importance of personal values and goals to well-being. In short, most readers seem to want their kids to understand that while money matters a great deal, at the end of the day it is an enabler. Provided you have sufficient money to cover the basic necessities in life, there are in fact more important things to aim for.