The Geometry of Wealth: How to shape a life of money and meaning

The Geometry of Wealth, by Brian Portnoy, stands out in the crowded bazaar of finance/personal investing literature by providing a powerfully unique perspective. Working from the premise that “true wealth is the ability to underwrite a meaningful life”, Portnoy devotes the first third of the book into a cogent survey and primer on the nature of happiness and purpose. Drawing from a variety of different fields, from Seligman’s Positive Psychology, to Frankl’s “Man’s Search For Meaning”, to Kahneman’s Behavioral Economics, to neuropsychology and more, this section alone makes the book well worth the reader’s time. The balance of the book is a practical guide to setting priorities, making decisions, and executing a simple financial plan to fund a life well lived. Portnoy excels at distilling a wide range of ideas and domains into a simple, accessible and enjoyable book, with something in it for everyone.

A look into the relationship between money and meaning. Portnoy suggests that wealth and investing are about funding contentment and underwriting a meaningful life, as defined by you. Not about getting rich, having "more," and losing yourself on the hedonic treadmill. He explains that simplification is the path towards effectively managing expectations in money and life–and the trajectory of a happy life is shaped by expectations. The Geometry of Wealth is as practical as it is philosophical. À la Charlie Munger, Portnoy emphasizes individual behavior, mainly self-control and self-awareness, as the most important factor in investment success. He suggests we focus on being "less wrong" over being "more right," in the sense that asset allocation is far more important than security selection and market timing. But he also takes a deeper look at experienced happiness, reflective happiness, expectations, and human nature which adds an entire extra dimension to this fascinating book.

It is a good book, that covers a lot of waterfront. I was really drawn to a lot of the discussion of happiness and satisfaction in life. The four C's really resonate with me. Connection. Control. Competence. Context. I think a whole book could (and should, Brian) be written about that and delving a little deeper with some actionable ways to increase these in one's life. The geometry of the shapes added some complexity for me that I did not think added a lot of symbolism or helpful connection. As a financial professional very familiar with all of the finance and investing concepts in this book, but I do think a lot of the points are very relevant for most audiences. If you are a doctor for example, I think you should read this book. The chart on page 152 and the discussion of the narrowness of stock market winners is really the most fascinating part for me from an investment perspective. It is hard to believe that over a 90 year period, only 4% of companies explain the net gain for the entire US stock market!

I have to start by saying I wouldn't recommend this book to most people. It's "big picture" while also being very analytical - two things that many people couldn't care less about. But if you're like me and for strange reason that stuff gets you excited rather than intimidated, then you're in the right place. Personally, not every section or analogy was helpful to me but (as proven by the many tabs sticking out of my copy) there are many profound insights that are worth the price of the book. Here are a few of the topics that stood out to me: 1. A deep, balanced view of how money relates to happiness 2. Human behavior and psychology's role in making investment decisions 3. Risk defined in terms of achieving financial goals A lot of ground is covered in this book and some parts probably need a bit more (or less) unpacked, but as I said, the gems you find along the way will be worth it. 4.5 stars ... rounded up to 5.

Brian Portnoy outlines the path to become and remain wealthy. Being wealthy is not about being rich. It is all about funding a contented, happy life. The definition of a contented life is not the same for everybody. Readers are invited to honestly answer three questions: What is their purpose in life? What are their priorities in life? How do they want to accomplish their purpose? Mr. Portnoy repeatedly stresses the pitfalls that stand in the way of becoming and remaining wealthy. Human beings often are their worst enemy, not necessarily the environment in which they operate. Whoever is looking for a practical user’s guide about how to invest their money in different asset classes is not at the right address. The book under review looks more like a book about the philosophy of a well-lived, well-financed existence than a traditional book about finance.

This book is a fantastic and thoughtful read. The Geometry of Wealth is loaded with meaningful lessons as well as a unique and sophisticated perspective on what it truly means to be "wealthy" and how money plays a role in our lives. Brian has a gift to succinctly make the complex, simple and demonstrates that consistently throughout his book. We all may have different definitions of what wealth is but this book shows how we can all gain some real wisdom about how to craft a meaningful life. Filled with many great and inspiring quotes from famous thinkers as well - my favorite - "Do not hurry; do not rest". It's about balance.

This is a fantastic read and goes a long way towards unpacking the emotional baggage around money and wealth. Portnoy is not only a recognized expert in behavioral finance but is also a fantastic writer. His style is engaging and enjoyable and he is able to make traditionally concepts easy and manageable. I never thought I would say that a book on wealth and money would be hard to put down - but this was!

It makes you think. I got several concepts that I knew before. Must read to understand wealth and the differnce between rich and wealthy.

Anyone think about investing for their financial future (or more accurately ignoring it) would massively benefit from reading this book. It is a brilliant summary of how to manage your finances in a way aligned with your values and needs, avoid the biases we all suffer, and face down the fact we all need to finance ourselves and our families for a long long time. It's not about how to make money per se, instead how to plan for financial future that's aligned with you.

Ok, but nothing groundbreaking. States how we can get influenced and distracted when invest for the long term with a buy and hold strategy is probably best.

Not bad, but I'd hoped for more. Could probably have been summarized as an essay.