GET YOUR FREE COPY

Finding and Funding a Good Life 

Is a higher paying job with longer hours worth it? Does it make sense to pay for a house cleaner? Is it better to live in a bigger home with a longer commute, or a small home close to the office? Is going out to dinner a waste of money? 

Most financial decisions are driven by instinct, fast, emotional, and often flawed thinking that prioritizes prestige over genuine wellbeing.

This paper challenges that default by introducing a set of non-financial considerations to bring more intention and reflection into financial decision-making. Each consideration is paired with reflective questions that the decision-maker may ask themselves or the other parties involved in the decision-making process.  

There is a lot more to a good life than wealth accumulation and risk-adjusted returns. A good life is, of course, subjective, but research across economics and psychology provide a starting point. Framing financial decisions through the lens of living a good life, measured by life satisfaction, rather than dollars in your bank account or other material possessions, is likely to lead to better outcomes. 

GET YOUR FREE COPY

Finding and Funding a Good Life 

Is a higher paying job with longer hours worth it? Does it make sense to pay for a house cleaner? Is it better to live in a bigger home with a longer commute, or a small home close to the office? Is going out to dinner a waste of money? 

Most financial decisions are driven by instinct, fast, emotional, and often flawed thinking that prioritizes prestige over genuine wellbeing.

This paper challenges that default by introducing a set of non-financial considerations to bring more intention and reflection into financial decision-making. Each consideration is paired with reflective questions that the decision-maker may ask themselves or the other parties involved in the decision-making process.  

There is a lot more to a good life than wealth accumulation and risk-adjusted returns. A good life is, of course, subjective, but research across economics and psychology provide a starting point. Framing financial decisions through the lens of living a good life, measured by life satisfaction, rather than dollars in your bank account or other material possessions, is likely to lead to better outcomes. 

WP_FindingFundingGoodLife_Banner_C
DOWNLOAD NOW
WP_FindingFundingGoodLife_Banner_C
WHAT TO EXPECT

Reframe Your Financial Thinking

Most of us let our "automatic" brains make big life choices based on status and immediate dopamine hits.
This paper provides the System Two tools you need to evaluate:

icon_document_list_pen_blue

Career vs. Time

Is that higher salary worth the cost of longer hours?

icon_document_loop_dollar_sign_blue

The Housing Trade-off

Should you prioritize a larger home or a shorter commute?

icon_dollar_sign_ripple_blue

Lifestyle Spending

What matters more to you: spending money on things or experiences?

icon_hand_holding_money_blue

Renting vs Buying

Assessing the emotional and utilitarian benefits beyond the mortgage math.

icon_loop_search_house

Setting Goals

How to prioritize the right goals that matter to you.

WhitePaper_Finding_Funding_GoodLife_Cover
WhitePaper_Finding_Funding_GoodLife_TOC
WhitePaper_Finding_Funding_GoodLife_Intro
WhitePaper_Finding_Funding_GoodLife_Author
DETAILS

This paper moves beyond the spreadsheet to show that financial choices aren't just about math, they're about fulfillment. By evaluating the utilitarian, emotional, and expressive value of your spending, you can use our reflective frameworks to ensure every dollar aligns with your personal values. Grounded in the science of happiness, this guide helps you prioritize long-term life satisfaction over a simple bank balance. This white paper provides a comprehensive analysis of evidence-based investment strategies, distilled into actionable insights for the modern investor. 

Written by Ben Felix, CIO and Portfolio Manager at PWL Capital. Ben is a prominent researcher and content creator dedicated to evidence-based investing. He is the voice behind a major YouTube finance channel and co-hosts the Rational Reminder, currently ranked among the top financial podcasts in Canada.

 

Format: PDF

Page Numbers: 37

Language: English

Governance_Logos_ENG_All-White
Portfolio Management and brokerage services are offered by PWL Capital Inc., which is regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), and is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).
 
Financial planning and insurance products are offered by PWL Advisors Inc., and are regulated in Ontario by Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) and in Quebec by the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). PWL Advisors Inc. is not a member of CIPF.