“I was born in Austria but made in America. This book beautifully illustrates how embracing freedom, self-determination, and opportunity can lead to extraordinary achievements. Don’t forget once you find your success—none of us are self-made. Success means it is your turn to give back!”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger
Former Governor of California, Austrian and American Actor, Businessman, Filmmaker, and Former Professional Bodybuilder
“This remarkable book does two big things well. It gives a very timely and much needed reminder of the power and beauty of the American Dream. And it provides an array of sound, time-proven principles of successful investing. Taking to heart these insights will enable readers not only to do better financially but also to lead more fulfilling and productive lives.”
—Steve Forbes
Chairman and CEO of Forbes and Editor-in-Chief of
Forbes magazine
“Experiencing the American Dream highlights that successful investing is about personal accountability and making a plan you can stick to over the long run. Investors can find peace of mind by rooting financial goals in their life aspirations. As a result, wealth planning becomes more tangible and investment outcomes are more closely focused and defined.”
—Bob Merton
American Economist, Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences laureate, and Professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management
“Experiencing the American Dream is about what it really takes to be successful and what it means to live a life with purpose. Discover how to shed the old mindsets holding you back that lead to poor decision making. Rediscover your values with money and what’s most important in your life. What if money was used to make a difference for you and others?”
–Dennis “Chip” Wilson
Founder and former CEO of Lululemon
“By navigating away from the temptation of rapid gain and the fear of scarcity, Matson charts a course towards a healthier financial life. Ideal for anyone seeking to redefine their economic outlook, this is the kind of book your future self will thank you for having read.”
—David Eagleman
neuroscientist, Professor of Psych/Public Mental Health & Population Sciences at Stanford University, CEO and co-founder of Neosensory, New York Times bestselling author of Incognito and Livewired
“Matson’s Experiencing the American Dream highlights the importance of individuals developing a purposeful and deliberate relationship with their money. Matson guides readers to take ownership of their financial plans by grounding them in life goals and advocates for the value of a financial life coach. The book provides actionable guidelines for investors striving to build the peace of mind and financial futures they desire.”
—David Booth
Founder and Executive Chairman of Dimensional Fund Advisors, Philanthropist, and namesake of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business
“Mark Matson’s Experiencing the American Dream will guide readers on a transformative journey towards financial freedom and fulfillment. It's a testament to the enduring power of the American Dream and the limitless possibilities that await those who dare to ‘dream big.’ During these challenging times, Matson reminds us of the universal promise of the American Dream.
He empowers everyone to achieve it by taking charge of their own financial accountability. Redefining our relationship with money, Matson shows how building your own wealth aligned with your values empowers anyone to better serve others.”
—Gary Sinise
Actor, Cofounder of Steppenwolf Theatre,
and Founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation
“Making money isn’t easy and investing isn’t for the faint of heart. In a world where financial markets can seem complex, irrational and thoroughly unpredictable, Experiencing the American Dream offers sound practical advice to the nonprofessional investor. Grounded in Nobel Prize winning academic research and sound economic principles, this book empowers readers with a strategy to boldly take control of their financial future. Matson knows how to make money grow. He’s achieved his American Dream and this book could help you achieve yours.”
—Stephen Moore
Economist and Former Wall Street Journal Senior Economics writer
“Mark Matson understands investor psychology. He knows that, left to their own devices, many investors become their own worst enemies. They trade too often, cling to losers, and buy attention-grabbing stocks. They buy mutual funds they wish they had bought last year or, worse yet, stocks they wish they had bought yesterday. They get excited about the same stock at the same time which leads to losses more often than gains. Investors focus too little on fees and too much on recent market moves. And, without a clear plan, many investors panic when the market drops, as sooner or later it always does.”
—Terrance Odean
Rudd Family Foundation Professor of Finance at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley
“I am much impressed. Mark is certainly an outstanding exporter of my ideas.”
—Harry Markowitz
Nobel Memorial Prize Laureate in Economic Sciences and the father of Modern Portfolio Theory
The individuals who have been kind enough to support this book by writing a foreword, epilogue, or other statement for the cover are not clients of my firm, Matson Money, Inc. None were paid or otherwise compensated for their supporting words. However, some of these individuals have a relationship with my firm. For example, Mr. Laffer sits on our Academic Advisory Board, and Mr. Lowe has previously appeared at Matson Money events. Others are associated with firms that provide investment products and services used by Matson Money. In some cases, there may have been compensation in connection with the relationship or prior events, or the commercial relationship between Matson Money and other firms. As a result, and because the individuals might receive some intangible benefits from being associated with this book (e.g., heightened brand awareness or reputational enhancement), there may have been incentives for their support.
This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation for any security, or an offer to provide advisory or other services by Mark Matson or Matson Money in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The information contained on this website should not be construed as financial or investment advice on any subject matter.
The information contained in this content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice and is not to be relied upon as the basis for entering into any transaction or advisory relationship or making any investment decision. This content includes the opinions, beliefs, or viewpoints of Mark Matson. Market performance information is included in this content solely to demonstrate the potential benefits historically associated with diversification of asset classes and does not represent or suggest results Mark Matson or Matson Money would or may have achieved when managing client portfolios. Although the referenced indices are not intended in any way to be viewed as model performance of the author, you should understand that actual client portfolios and most investments are subject to the deduction of various fees and expenses which would lower returns.
Matson Money, Inc. “Matson” is a federally registered investment advisor with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and has been in business since 1991. In Canada, Matson is registered as a portfolio manager in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Registration with the SEC and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities does not imply their approval or endorsement of any services provided by Matson. This content is based on the views of Matson. The concepts discussed herein are for educational purposes only. It includes the opinions, beliefs, or viewpoints of Matson Money and its Co-Advisors and should not be relied upon for entering into any transaction, advisory relationship, or making any investment decision. Other organizations or persons may analyze investments and the approach to investing from a different perspective than that reflected in this content. Nothing included herein is intended to infer that the approach to investing discussed in this website will assure any particular investment result.
All investing involves risks and costs. These risks may not always be mitigated through long-term investing or diversification. All investments involve the risk of loss, including the loss of principal.
No investment strategy (including asset allocation and diversification strategies) can ensure peace of mind, guarantee profit, or protect against loss.