Our elder one, Noah, is a brilliant reader.
We’ve been intentional as parents — screen time has been minimal in our house. Not because we’re against it completely, but we wanted to cultivate his imagination, focus and curiosity without the need for a glowing device. And naturally, the only source of unlimited entertainment available to him became books.
So, he read.
He read all sorts of things — animals, AFL facts, space, even random trivia that he’d recite to us during our evening walks. And somewhere along the way, a small but powerful thought started brewing in my mind:
If I wanted him to value books, to truly love learning — I had to model that behaviour myself.
It’s easy to preach. Harder to follow - I do admit - I’m a bit lazy parent.
Still, I picked up a book — no, not a tech manual, not a Confluence page, not an email.
A proper book. And not fiction either.
The Beginning: The Psychology of Money
One of the early days into the book reading habits was The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. I’d heard about it before — but now, I wasn’t reading it just to finish a book. I was reading it with intention.
I must admit: there are books, and then there are books. This one belongs to the latter.
It wasn't about which ETF to pick or how to flip a property. It was about the why behind our financial behaviours. Why we save. Why we spend. Why some people with modest incomes retire comfortably — while others with massive salaries stay trapped in financial chaos.
It was less about interest rates and more about interests — how they form in our minds, influenced by upbringing, emotion, and environment.
What Stuck With Me
Here are a few insights that still stay with me:
1. No one’s crazy
The author shares how the lottery industry thrives on billions of dollars, largely contributed by those who often don’t have enough for their next meal — yet still spend on lottery tickets. For many, it isn’t just a gamble; it’s their only sliver of hope, a fragile bridge from struggle to possibility. This perspective reminded us that people make financial choices rooted in their lived realities. And that truth — simple yet profound — taught us to pause before judging, and even more importantly, to stop blindly imitating someone else’s money journey.
2. Wealth is what we don’t see
A luxury car or a lavish holiday isn’t wealth. It’s the quiet account you don’t talk about that tells the real story. The rich people don’t show off their wealth - they are happy in their little life they live. The new riches, the broke and the people who want to show they’re rich are the ones who flash.
3. Savings ≠ a plan. Savings = freedom
Savings is not an option. It’s the only way to freedom. You don’t need to justify every dollar you save. The peace of mind it gives is reason enough.
4. We only need to be right a few times
A couple of great decisions (and avoiding the really bad ones) is all it takes. No one needs to be perfect. Don’t fret over the small change expenses - but rather focus on the bigger picture and get those right and you’re well on your way.
One Book Leads to Another...
Reading The Psychology of Money changed how I thought. But more importantly, it made me think.
That led me to another hidden gem — Money on your mind by Vicky Reynal. Hugely underrated, this book dives deeper into the emotional side of money.
Money is emotional: Vicky explains that money is never just about numbers — it's closely tied to our emotions, identity, and past experiences.
Our financial behaviours are shaped early: Much of how we relate to money is formed in childhood — from how our parents spent, saved, or avoided talking about money altogether.
Everyone has a money script: We all carry subconscious beliefs like “I don’t deserve wealth” or “Money causes conflict” — and these shape how we earn, spend, or avoid money.
Avoidance and anxiety are common: Whether it's ignoring bank balances or procrastinating on financial planning, avoidance often stems from deeper emotional discomfort.
Money therapy is powerful: The book shows how exploring our money story with curiosity (not shame) helps change unhelpful behaviours.
Practical meets psychological: Vicky offers frameworks and reflective exercises that combine both financial literacy and emotional insight — a rare and valuable blend.
Healing our relationship with money is possible: With awareness and the right tools, we can move from stress and guilt toward clarity, control, and confidence.
It’s a lesser-known gem, but incredibly impactful for those looking to go beyond budgets and spreadsheets and understand the why behind their financial decisions.
Reading these books wasn’t just about financial literacy — it was emotional clarity. They helped me build mental models, frameworks that I now carry into conversations with my partner and my children.
Recommendations:
If you're new to money, mindset or just want to understand how you think about money, I’d say:
Start with The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Then dive into Money on your Mind by Vicky Reynal
