Does Money Buy Happiness?
Does money buy happiness? In my opinion, I think it can buy a measure of happiness because it allows you to have a greater number of choices in life. If you have money, you can choose steak over chicken, if that’s your thing. If you have money, you can choose to work or not work, full-time. If you have money, you can choose whether to live in the ghetto or a nice neighborhood.
I compare money to a tool in a tool box, you use it to get things done. Are you really overjoyed to be in possession of that hammer? Does that saw really make you giddy with joy? Well it’s possible, but the real happiness is not with the “tool”, but in the benefits that tool brings.
Even after someone accumulates a lot of money it does not guaranty a constant happiness. I can think of a handful of entertainers who seem to “have it all”, but their life shows they are not happy. Why? George Loewenstein, an economist at Carnegie Mellon University says: “Part of the reason is that people aren’t very good at figuring out what to do with the money.” They have the “tools”, but they don’t know how to use them properly. Imagine if you used your saw incorrectly, the results could be devastating!
While money can bring some happiness, it’s not enough. Our primary goal in life cannot be to pursue money, I think happiness in life has to do with choice and purpose. Simply being in possession of the “tool” is not enough, the novelty wears off.
So if money doesn’t bring lasting happiness, then what does? There’s a quote Suze Orman says at the closing of her show each week and it goes like this: People first, then money, then things. This is not her exact definition, but it’s the way I look at it: When we value people with our money we are able to do things that brings happiness. People first, then money, then things.
This is just my own personal view of money and happiness. Can money buy happiness? You bet! Can money make you miserable, absolutely! Look at the tools in your toolbox and build with a purpose.
How much money would it take to make you happy? Do you think that money can buy happiness or even the key to it? If you never had to worry about money again, but still had to work, what would you do? I think your answer would be what truly makes you happy.
I agree, money can be used to do more than buy things. For me, I’d use the money to stay home with little H instead of go off to work. Yes, that would make me happy.
H.E. Eigler’s last blog post..Fancy button for you
Who ever says “money does NOT buy happiness”…simply doesn’t know WHERE TO SHOP.
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..Another Most Excellent Weekend
My priorities are serenity, family, job.
If one is not serene, everything else will suffer. If I am not happy and serene with myself, everything else will be in turmoil.
I agree that money can provide a more comfortable physical situation. But, we have seen many wealthy individuals (the first to come to mind are entertainers) that have taken their lives.
Again, my opinion is that I must be happy with myself before I can be happy with my external situation.
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Don’t know I never had any to try it out…:))))))
Money would afford me the opportunity to quit my day job and write full-time. I would only need enough money that would pay me my current salary through the interest it earned. Well, maybe a little more because I would want to buy medical benefits (people often forget about the value of that when they quit working).
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H.E. Eigler - I’m with you, I would probably do some type of work from home.
Meleah Rebeccah, I agree up to a point. I could spend for years and be just as happy shopping, but once you have everything money can buy, there’s nothing to look forward to.
Dave, yes money can make life a lot more comfortable, but if something is not right within us…if happiness doesn’t live there first, it will be that much harder to find it in something else.
Robert, I’m sending you $5 in the mail so you can know what it feels like to have money. Then use the $5 to call Oprah and ask her how she’s feeling. LOL. Stop it Robert, I know you’re loaded and happy.
Kathy, I would do the same thing, quit my job and write. Oh yeah, not having medical insurance will suck out all your money and your happiness in the form of a bill at the same time!
Hmmmm. Does money buy happiness? Some people think it would and are on a constant pursuit to find it,steal it, make it, etc.
No, happiness comes from within. In my life I have been flat broke and was happy. Money eases worries, and enables us to do a little more, buy a little more, give a little more, but in the end, happiness cannot be bought.
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I made that comment in with a light hearted humorous nature intended….
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..Another Most Excellent Weekend
Barbara, I’m not too happy when I’m flat broke, but I got ya. From within.
I know Meleah Rebeccah, I heard that comment before, I had a good laugh over it too. I haven’t lost my sense of humor. I might sell it if these gas prices keep rising, but I’ll never lose it.
whew. I thought I may have offended!
meleah rebeccah’s last blog post..Another Most Excellent Weekend
Nah, I’m not easily offended Meleah
Money to me is a means and not end. I need money to maintain a simple life but what inspire me is to be a great hotelier and a blogger. My passion has no nexus with money. Great post.
Shilpan
Shilpan | successsoul.com’s last blog post..Another Guest Post at the Dumb Little Man - Which comes first, the Success or the Happiness?
Nah, money can’t by happiness. It can buy the illusion of happiness… sure. But being happy is definitely something that starts with the person. It’s unfortunate that a lot of people think “things” will fill that void.You know? Money can’t make you like yourself.
But anywho, I would be happy with whatever amount of money afforded me the privilege to do things because I want to… not because I have to. THAT’S the kind of life I want.
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Illusion me Jillian, lol. Money can at least make me look in the mirror at what I bought. All jokes aside, I agree. You have to have something else going on for yourself other than a lot of money. Some rich people are lonely because they think everyone wants their cash.
It’s a tool to get “something else” done.
Hi Shilpan, forgot to include a response to you. That’s true, a means and not an end…a lot of people probably forget that.
I’ll add you to my blogroll, I’ve been meaning to…you have a great blog.
Personally I’ve been happier since I quit my full-time job & started working part-time. I make enough to cover my mortgage & regular bills & little else, but I have SPARE TIME, which is infinitely more valuable to me than “things.” For the first time in a long time, I’m not just happy, I’m SANE. *L*
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I bet you are Lana, I would be too. Time is so valuable and I would trade it for money, and sometimes do, in a minute.
No, money doesn’t make you happy - but a serious lack of it can certainly make you UNhappy. My view is that money isn’t the Trolley of Life but it certainly greases the wheels.
Seems to me that couples who suddenly come into money often fall apart pretty quickly because money can magnify what you are - if you’re unhappy to start with, you simply become an unhappy person with money, only now you’re an unhappy person with the means to indulge in more extravagant self-destructive behaviour - it won’t solve your problems unless they’re purely financial. And if your marriage/partnership isn’t that great, money will probably cause arguments and problems will grow bigger.
It’s dangerous for an unstable couple or person to suddenly acquire lots of money, but if you’re balanced to start with, then you can enjoy it.
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Excellent comment Jay, thanks for sharing that….I agree. It isn’t the trolley, but it greases the wheels. Balance is needed.
Honestly folks, but how many have left art, music, studying history/philosophy, dance, etc, for accounting or nursing or something other than financial reasons?
You see, if you gave each of these aforementioned persons an annuity which pays an typical accounting annual salary for life, they’ve probably be very happy doing what they enjoy.
Hi Randy..I guess at some point you have to eat. Money can make you happy, I just don’t believe it’s lasting. Thanks for sharing.
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