COMM 170 Summer 2019: Research-Driven Critique of 'Your Money'

This assignment presents a research-driven critique of J.D. Roth's 'Your Money: The Missing Manual', exploring the complex relationship between money, happiness, and effective resource management. The critique examines the source's core arguments, which emphasize the importance of using money wisely to maximize social satisfaction rather than chasing material possessions. The analysis delves into key concepts such as the allocation of resources, the balance between needs and wants, and the optimal amount of money required for a comfortable life. The assignment incorporates textual evidence from the main source and supporting research, including sources on personal finance, happiness, and consumer behavior. It also includes a critical appraisal of the source, a list of keyword search terms, and an annotated bibliography, providing a comprehensive overview of the topic and its implications for individuals and society. The assignment demonstrates a clear understanding of the subject matter and its relevance to contemporary society.

Running Head: Research Driven Critique 1
Research Driven Critique
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Research driven critique 2
Author: Roth J. D.
Tittle: Your Money: The Missing Manual. “O`Reilly Media, Inc”.
URL: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/your-money-the/9780596809430/ch01.html
Brief summary of the source
The source simply outlines the measures that one can take to be contented with resources at his or
her disposal to attain maximum social satisfaction rather than chase after material things that only result
into more stress.
Source outline:
 Money cannot buy satisfaction
 The best way to use money
 Relationship between money and happiness
Detailed Source Summary
According to this source, there is need for masses to that having money is one thing and putting it
into good use is another. It is true that money can but human wants, but ones needs to acknowledge that the
wants are just small pieces that are needed in a complementary manner to solve life puzzles. Information
from this source tries to help individuals to strike balance between having too little, which may turn them
into paupers, and having too much that may turn them into spendthrifts.
There is a major concern from the source that societies do not know how to allocate resources.
People tend to invest in items that depreciate more than they do in properties that appreciate. Therefore,
individuals should prepare a scale of preference whenever they intend to spend their resources to realize

Research driven critique 3
maximum satisfaction. One may only get into a “rat race” if he or she fails to plan how to spend the scarce
resources.
The question that the source advances for scholars to answer is, “how much money is enough?”
This question can only be answered by individuals who have learnt how to tame their appetite to the extent
that they only purchase what they need and not what they envy. It requires people to identify their goals
and motives for buy commodities based on their abilities since it is not what you buy that gives you the
peace of mind, but how you feel after spending what you have.
Critical appraisal of the source
1. What is the relevance of the source to the modern society that tends to be more technology
driven?
2. Can policy makers implement the principles advocated for in this source both in the
developed and less developed nation?
3. Why is money considered a necessary but not a sufficient driver of social wellbeing, yet it is
the source of materials needed for satisfying human wants?
4. What is the reason behind people’s rise in expenditure when they get a rise in income, in other
words, why do people spend more when they become richer?
5. What is the optimal amount of money that an individual needs to live a comfortable and
meaningful life without being seen as being profligate?
Keyword Search terms, and source location
1. Source of happiness: https://www.quora.com
2. Personal finance: https://www.businessdfailyafrica.com

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3. Effects of money on happiness: https://greatergood.berkerley.edu
4. The fulfillment curve: https://www.thesimpledollar.com
5. Wealth and luxury: www.wealthandluxury.com
6. Household income: https://www.investopedia.com
7. How much is enough: https://www.sloww.co
8. Your money your life: https://www.amazon.com
9. Conscious spending: https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com
10. It’s not about money: https://www.theodysseyonlin.com
The textual relevance of the research to the main source
1. List of sources
Prins, S. (2018). Happiness in Spite of Mental Disease?. Psychiatrische Praise, 45(s 10), s15-s20.
Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com
Garman, E. T., & Forgue, R. (2011). Personal finance. Cengage Learning.
Retrieved from: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com
Buttrick, N. R., & Oishi, S. (2017). The psychological consequences of income inequality. Social and
Personality Psychology Compass, 11(3), e12304.
Retrieved from: https://greatergood.berkerley.edu
Frey, B. S., & Stutzer, A. (2010). Happiness and economics: How the economy and institutions affect
human well-being. Princeton University Press.
Retrieved from: https://www.thesimpledollar.com
Nelissen, R. M., & Meijers, M. H. (2011). Social benefits of luxury brands as costly signals of wealth and
status. Evolution and human behavior, 32(5), 342-355.

Research driven critique 5
Retrieved from: www.wealthandluxury.com
Roth, J. D. (2010). Your money: The Missing Manual. “O`Reilly Media, Inc.”.
Retrieved from: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/your-money-the/9780596809430/ch01.html
2. Main source
Roth, J. D. (2010). Your money: The Missing Manual. “O`Reilly Media, Inc.”.
Retrieved from: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/your-money-the/9780596809430/ch01.html
3. Research sources
Source of happiness by Prins (2018), discusses how an individual can have maximum satisfaction
from his or her own actions. Another source, Conscious spending by Frey and Stutzer (2010), outlines
robust measures for one to attain maximum satisfaction based on his or her spending habits.
4. Textual evidence from the main source
From the fifth source by Nelissen and Meijers (2011), it is written, “the total earnings of household
members that can be used to satisfy the wants of the family.” In the main source, the same concept is used
while setting a platform for measuring a household’s marginal propensity to spend.
5. Brief critical analysis
The concept of happiness is covered adequately in the main text. Compared to the sources that were
obtained from online sources, the main source covers at least a concept that is touched on in the research
sources. The main source succeeds in explaining the most common misconceptions about money. It gives
clarification as to why people should not focuses on material things, arguing that they tend to loss value
over time.

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6. Textual evidence from the first research source
In the first source, it is stated that, “You are the most important sources of happiness.” The same is
observed from the main source that throws the ball back to the consumer stating that the answer to personal
happiness begins with him.
7. How it relates to the textual evidence from the main source
The main source depicts money as an essential element in attainment of happiness and not a
sufficient vessel. The owner of resources can create happiness based on his spending habit.
8. Textual evidence from the second research source
The second research source, Personal finance: that is, Garman and Forgue (2011) edition, identifies
an individual’s pattern of management of resources as a determinant of his ability to have happiness. It
says, successful management of personal finances requires maximum financial discipline. This fact is also
acknowledged in the main source that recommends prioritization of ones wants.
Personal reflection on the sources and connection between the research sources and the main source
To begin with, the sources accessed have the same agenda. To come up with a mechanism through
which the society can achieve maximum social benefit from their resources. The sources unanimously
agree that money is good, unless used the wrong way. They contend that money is a medium of exchange
that can help the community to access commodities that are needed to satisfy their desire.
Secondly, all the sources suggest that money should be spent wisely in order to derive maximum
benefits from its value. People should spend based on their needs and not just for fun. A proper plan is
necessary before one incurs expenses to identify the commodities that will benefit most of the dependents.

Research driven critique 7
The same agenda being driven by the main source finds its roots in the research sources, which
seem to delve deeper into the same topic. While the main source touches on each element that can help an
individual achieve a given level of satisfaction, the research sources examines the individual elements and
their impact on an individual’s happiness.
A list of new keyword search terms related to the ones mentioned prior
 Authentic source of happiness
 Financial planning
 Effect of income on happiness
New sources that can further develop the concept under discussion
De Veries, M. F. K. (2016). Sex, Money, Happiness, and Death: The quest for Authenticity. Springer.
Retrieved from: https://www.liveyourtruestory.com
Rosly, S. A. (2018). Critical issues in Islamic banking and financial markets: Islamic economics, banking
and finance, investments, Takaful and financial Planning. Dinamas Publishing.
Retrieved from: https://www.financial-planning.com
Pwdthavee, N. (2010). How much does money really matter? Estimating the causal effects of income on
happiness. Empirical economics, 39(1), 77-92.
Retrieved from: https://www.theworldounts.com
Relationship between research source textual evidence to the main source
In accordance with the findings in Authentic source of happiness by De Veries (2016), “everyone
wants to be happy.” In the main text, it is also evident that every member of the society seeks happiness
through obtaining money and spending. In the source, Financial planning by Rosly (2018), satisfaction is

Research driven critique 8
achieved through a robust strategy aimed at maximizing the benefits of money to the entire household. In
the main text, the author also acknowledges spending money to benefit the entire society for maximum
social welfare.
An annotated bibliography
Prins, S. (2018). Happiness in Spite of Mental Disease?. Psychiatrische Praise, 45(s 10), s15-s20.
Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com
The source outlines steps which one can be used to achieve a stable state of the mind when one in
facing financial crisis. It states, “… an individual needs to strike a balance between his income and
spending habits.”
Garman, E. T., & Forgue, R. (2011). Personal finance. Cengage Learning.
Retrieved from: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com
The theme of this source is to devise the best approach to expenditure that can leave the consumer
happy at all times. It states, effective spending requires timely analysis of the commodities before
one goes out to spend the cash.
A review of the questions posted and the sources gathered in cycle 1 and 2 and the research process
The sources that were retrieved had significant contribution to the study of the current state of the
society. They are used in financial institutions to advice individuals who obtain loans for various reasons.
In addition, policy makers rely on such information contained in the sources to formulate regulations for
the benefit of the whole community. There is adequate explanation as to why money should not be
regarded as the end of the satisfaction process, but rather a vehicle to the destination.
Sources that have significant textual evidence related to the main source
Prins, S. (2018). Happiness in Spite of Mental Disease?. Psychiatrische Praise, 45(s 10), s15-s20.

Research driven critique 9
Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com
Garman, E. T., & Forgue, R. (2011). Personal finance. Cengage Learning.
Retrieved from: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com
Buttrick, N. R., & Oishi, S. (2017). The psychological consequences of income inequality. Social and
Personality Psychology Compass, 11(3), e12304.
Retrieved from: https://greatergood.berkerley.edu
Frey, B. S., & Stutzer, A. (2010). Happiness and economics: How the economy and institutions affect
human well-being. Princeton University Press.
Retrieved from: https://www.thesimpledollar.com
Annotated bibliography of the three research sources
Prins, S. (2018). Happiness in Spite of Mental Disease?. Psychiatrische Praise, 45(s 10), s15-s20.
Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com
The source outlines steps which one can be used to achieve a stable state of the mind when one in
facing financial crisis. It states, “… an individual needs to strike a balance between his income and
spending habits.”
Garman, E. T., & Forgue, R. (2011). Personal finance. Cengage Learning.
Retrieved from: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com
The theme of this source is to devise the best approach to expenditure that can leave the consumer
happy at all times. It states, effective spending requires timely analysis of the commodities before
one goes out to spend the cash.
Pwdthavee, N. (2010). How much does money really matter? Estimating the causal effects of income on
happiness. Empirical economics, 39(1), 77-92.
Retrieved from: https://www.theworldounts.com

Research driven critique 10
The author explains explicitly why people should concentrate on non-material things to obtain
maximum satisfaction. The source points out the need for general wellbeing of the entire society.
Summary of key points of the critique
 Source of happiness
 Personal finance
 Effects of money on happiness
 The fulfillment curve
 Wealth and luxury
 Household income
 How much is enough
 Your money your life
 Conscious spending
 It’s not about money
Summary of textual evidence.
 Money cannot buy satisfaction
 The best way to use money
 Relationship between money and happiness
Evaluation
The sources provided satisfactory information on the subject matter.

Research driven critique 11
Outline of the Research-Driven Critique
Introduction
Response
Conclusion
References
Draft Essay
Introduction
The concept of happiness transcends both the corporate and non-corporate world. People work their
hearts out to obtain the means to happiness without the knowledge of how to manage their scarce resources
to maximize their social benefits.
Response
There are many sources of information that consumers can access and learn how to manage their
resources in the most economical manner. The sources have significant textual evidence of research that
has been done by scholars to solve the puzzle to happiness.
Conclusion
The sources that were accessed had the same theme, that is, to come up with a modality that will
make individuals satisfied with whatever they have. The central agenda is to attain the general welfare of
the society and not a situation where one person is happy at the expense of the rest.

Research driven critique 12
Bibliography
Buttrick, N. R., & Oishi, S. (2017). The psychological consequences of income inequality. Social and
Personality Psychology Compass, 11(3), e12304. Retrieved from: https://greatergood.berkerley.edu
De Veries, M. F. K. (2016). Sex, Money, Happiness, and Death: The quest for Authenticity. Springer.
Retrieved from: https://www.liveyourtruestory.com
Frey, B. S., & Stutzer, A. (2010). Happiness and economics: How the economy and institutions affect
human well-being. Princeton University Press. Retrieved from: https://www.thesimpledollar.com
Garman, E. T., & Forgue, R. (2011). Personal finance. Cengage Learning. Retrieved from:
https://www.businessdailyafrica.com
Nelissen, R. M., & Meijers, M. H. (2011). Social benefits of luxury brands as costly signals of wealth and
status. Evolution and human behavior, 32(5), 342-355.Retrieved from: www.wealthandluxury.com
Prins, S. (2018). Happiness in Spite of Mental Disease?. Psychiatrische Praise, 45(s 10), s15-s20.
Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com
Pwdthavee, N. (2010). How much does money really matter? Estimating the causal effects of income on
happiness. Empirical economics, 39(1), 77-92. Retrieved from: https://www.theworldounts.com
Rosly, S. A. (2018). Critical issues in Islamic banking and financial markets: Islamic economics, banking
and finance, investments, Takaful and financial Planning. Dinamas Publishing.Retrieved from:
https://www.financial-planning.com
Roth J. D. (2010). Your Money: The Missing Manual. “O`Reilly Media, Inc”.Retrieved from:
https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/your-money-the/9780596809430/ch01.html