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Money buys happiness (arguably)

  2. Julie_Soller
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OK, that's disputed. A new study claims to rebut the old study that said that richer people aren't any happier than poor ones. Income does matter, the new study says.

"Economic growth can also pay for investments in scientific research that lead to longer, healthier lives. It can allow trips to see relatives not seen in years or places never visited. When you’re richer, you can decide to work less — and spend more time with your friends."
Julie_Soller

27 responses // Money buys happiness (arguably)

  • I'm glad that because of having money, I don't have a long commute. I wish I spent more time with friends, though. Your thoughts?
    Julie_Soller
  • I've always thought the people who said that money can't buy you happiness must've just been skint...

    It can't buy happiness directly, but as you point out Julie, it can help you on your way to the town of Happiness.

    I'm sure it's different for everyone though, it's all down to personal preference.
    mattbrawn
  • I don't mind money buying happiness. But, it should not be at the expense of the poor. How much money do they need to be happy? When is enough happiness enough?

    I don't want to be rich, but I do want to survive. Is my survival going down the tubes so a few can be happy?
    Conniepae
  • It helps take the stress out of financial obligations if you're lucky enough - - but I've seen kids whose parents overindulge them not having much to be responsible for or look forward to, or be proud of because everything material is just handed to them. Part of being happy and content is living so you can respect yourself and still see the good in people.
    Chique
  • I still don't think it buys you happiness. It buys you a feeling of safety. You can feel safe in life without truly being happy.
    heather_hunter
  • This makes sense. As traditional cultures and social structures that were once able to provide security and happiness for its members have been decimated by globalization and "development." Those who once existed on far less money but had other means of providing for themselves are now crippled by current economics. Furthermore, the developed worlds insistence on taking over lands and injecting "civilization," have put most of humanity under this oppressive economic system.

    So I see it as what was once natural and available to most everyone (to be happy) has now been twisted and altered through our unnatural systems. Thus, those who can afford it, can buy a lifestyle that was once free anyway.

    Congratulations, humans, outstanding job, really...not. I am being very sarcastic.
    aburk72
  • It's been shown in the U.S. that making more money does make you happier- up to a point. Once people reach the $50,000 dollar mark or so in combined family income, their happiness level seems to plateau out. This is because at this income level they can easily meet their basic needs, without too much difficulty. They may even have money in the bank. But once you get higher than that (in the U.S.) your tastes just get more expensive, but your needs are met just the same.
    BigME413
  • Money may not buy you happiness directly, but I must say that if I had more money I would be 99% stress free! I think that the one thing keeping me from complete happiness right now is the stress that comes from not having enough money. I have a great relationship, awesome friends and family, and a fulfilling job... that does not pay me enough! I guess I'm not meant to "have it all".
    aswift1
  • I agree with aswift1. Money may not buy happiness directly, but it does eliminate a lot of stress. Stresses like paying for health care, mortgage, kids' college education, etc... As well as the ability to weather any money emergencies - car breakdowns, sick parents, bad economy, etc...

    I think all people have the right to have their basic needs met (health care, education, a good paying job) without having to scramble, stress and worry themselves sick over it. Anything less should be a violation of human rights.
    phoenix_fire999
  • Isn't it just common sense that if you have more money you probably have things easier, and if your life is easier, you're probably happier?
    Allsunday
  • I disagree; you can have all the money you want, but if you're making it by doing a job that you hate, then stress is going to catch up with you sooner or later.

    I'd rather be making little money doing something i love than making a lot of money by forcing myself into a job that i hate.
    Freck
  • Okay maybe money doesn't buy happiness but at least a good time, right?
    ivxx
  • I think that Chris Rock coined the phrase
    "Nobody has seen someone frown while on a jet-ski"
    redryan
  • I disagree that money buys happiness. Like my man BIG said, "Mo money Mo problems."
    I_Hunt_Wizards
  • It's all in the attitude, if all you care about is making more money and clawing your way to the top of the corporate ladder then of course you're not going to be happy.

    If as they pointed out "When you’re richer, you can decide to work less — and spend more time with your friends." then you'll be a lot happier because you have a lot less stress.

    If you're dedicated to the simple life like some of the Amish then you'll get a lot of meaning out of the tasks you perform and the belonging to a community to be happier.

    But if you chafe at all the restrictions and want to have the luxuries that technology provides then you won't be happy with having to struggle just to survive.

    Happiness is a lot more in your perspective that's why money can't buy happiness even if you pay for a lot of therapy, since the therapist can only show you some different interpretations and techniques but it's still up to you to use them.
    Argon18
  • I can see how this works. Money allows you more freedom to try things that you want to try, go places you want to go, and live where you want to live. That increase of contentment combined with a drop in stress over worrying about work, bills, and other things that you depend upon to survive the day to day grind it is easy to see how it can make you happier. However, just because you have money and can buy your happiness you can't buy true love or friendships.
    clarity_kat
  • money allows you to buy happiness :) it just depends on what makes you happy. if you're a douchebag, you'll never be happy anyway.
    diode
  • Money itself isn't really the point, I don't think.

    What if someone gave you 1 billion dollars -- but the catch is you can only "have" it if you spend 24hrs a day locked in a prison cell? Wouldn't do ya much good and all that money certainly wouldn't make you any happier about being in a prison cell. (A lot of rich workaholics only realize that on their death beds. That had a fortune, but never ever left the office)

    What if you were already in a prison cell (or a freaking cubical all damn day) and suddenly someone just handed you 1 million dollars? Now THAT would make you happy because now you can get out and go do what does make you happy.

    It's not really the cash per se, it's the freedom. We don't have a lot of freedom in the middle class. We spend all day in traffic, at work, back in traffic and get to watch 2hrs of sitcoms at night before we go to bed. Wha-hoo.

    What if instead of money you simply didn't have to work? You didn't have to pay rent, all the food at the grocery store was free, you could just have any clothes you saw at the mall, etc? It'd have the exact same impact on your happiness as being rich wouldn't it?

    But what about the damn kids who are born into ultra rich families? (Nicole, Paris -- yeah, I'm looking at you)

    I think being born with literally everything at the beginning makes you incapable of appreciating what you have. You KNOW Paris sits on exotic beaches all day bored -- yes bored! -- out of her mind. Because how can see appreciate something she's always had?
    crob80227
  • I personally don't care about money, you could even go as far to say I dislike it. Everyone understands its purpose in our everyday lives and the need to acquire it to maintain one's standard of living, but outside of that I can see myself happy without amassing an insane amount of wealth.

    Money can create stability, which causes people to become content with life, but we create our own happiness.
    lifestudentno83
  • aswift1, your comment accepting ‘I guess I’m not meant to ‘have it all’ is what would actually make ordinary Americans happier. We are bombarded with commercials every few minutes. People smiling and sooo happy all because of the product they are selling. They are actors, acting happy! We watch paid smiley faces saying, ‘if we would purchase what they are selling we could be smiley and happy too.’ Wrong! There are too many people selling too many products for anyone to ever peak.

    People really have a hard time accepting they can’t have it all. Some of us need to stop shopping and appreciate what we already have.

    I have come to a point in my life where I am not upset that I can’t have it all. I don’t want it all. I do hope to make it till the next paycheck, but I hope I’m happy getting there. Personal satisfaction can’t be bought, it’s earned. It takes hard work, but the buck starts with you. You can’t expect others to make you happy. I find what makes me smile, then I pass it along. Smiling at people I meet in passing and them smiling back makes me happy. Recognizing people as people makes me happy. If they are old, I appreciate them for their age. If they are young, I admire them for their youth. We are all people, just trying to get through the day. Rich or poor, we’re just trying to get to tomorrow. Smile and pass it along!
    Conniepae
  • It's what you do with the money that brings you happiness. I wouldn't be happy spending it all on myself. If I had it I would be happiest using it for the good of the planet and others who truly needed it. I just want to be able to live comfortably. My happiness comes from the people I love who would be with me regardless of how much money I had, not material possessions.
    JanforGore
  • I play the lottery every night. I have two sets of numbers that I have played since it started. I can't stop now, because if they came out and I didn't have them, I would have to be committed.

    My husband jokes, 'if I ever do win, he's taking half. Half for after I give mine away, we'll still have some.'
    Conniepae
  • http://web.ard.de/galerie/bilderpool/boulevard/2007/bea...
    Money can't buy happines, but it sure is much more comfortable and agreeable to cry in a Rolls Royce than in a Mini!
    Vierotchka
  • Thanks Julie... I guess I can stop listening to the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo Money, Mo Problems!" Guess he was making it up.
    Ryan0202
  • I think money definitely makes a difference in happinesses, you don't have to worry about having your house foreclosed or your car repossessed, you have that feeling of security, but it seems people with large sums of money always fall short on ethics, and ethics always come before money.
    justwannafindmytrue
  • Many say that money is the root of all evil. It can definately be the motivation of many evil acts like murder, drug trafficking, blood diamonds or politics. On the other hand, money can be a powerfully positive "tool" towards a sense of freedom.

    No one wants to live paycheck to paycheck, get their house foreclosed on, or worry about gas prices for the rest of their lives. Hustlin' is cool now while I'm young, but who wants to hustle in their retirement years.

    Not me, I'd rather be living it up on the Forbes top 10 Billionaires...watch for the name Genevieve.

    Let's end the rat race!!
    GenevieveNixon
  • I find that this has an interesting title, "Money buys happiness (arguably)."
    yangmungi

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