In her book “The Myths of Happiness,” Sonja Lyubomirsky argues (among other things) that renters are happier than homeowners. Why? Because homeowners “derive more pain from ownership of their homes, and spend more time on housework and less time interacting with their friends and neighbors.”

Another interesting point: two-thirds of the benefits of a raise are gone within a year. Why? Because spending tends to increase in lockstep with your earnings. As such, your “needs” increase, and you might also start associating with those in a higher income bracket. Keeping up with the Joneses…

And now… Here are some articles that caught my eye this past week:

• The Measurements of Value via Budgets are Sexy
• Vanguard Managed Payout Funds and the SWR via MyMoneyBlog
• The Social Security Lump Sum Strategy via The Oblivious Investor
• Finding an Advisor Outside Your Area via The Finance Buff
• How to Make Money Buy Happiness via Mr. Money Mustache
• Most Investors Have No Idea What They’re Doing via MarketWatch
• Still Using XP? Time to Upgrade via The Vanguard Group

That’s it. I hope your week is off to a great start.

P.S. Taxes are due today. I hope yours are done.

Filed Under: Financial Highlights