A contrarian guide to using your money to create the life you want.

In 168 Hours, Laura Vanderkam showed that when we really consider how we spend our time, it turns out we have more than we realize. Now she proves that the same is true for money. No matter how much we earn, there are smarter ways to apply every dollar toward the things that matter most to us.

For example, the average couple spends $5000 on engagement and wedding rings, with little thought to resisting peer pressure. But what if they decide to spend $300 on rings and apply the rest to future date nights, weekend getaways, babysitters, and thinking-of-you bouquets? What would give more satisfaction in the long run?

Laura Vanderkam is the author of 168 Hours, and a member of USA Today’s Board of Contributors. Her writing has also appeared in BNET, the Wall Street Journal, Scientific American, and Reader’s Digest, among other publications. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and two sons.