by nicolaou 46 Replies latest jw friends
Short answer yes, but it depends on what scope you are talking about. I think there is a threshold (provided you aren't stupid and hit the casino or buy sh$t just because you can) where once you have that amount of money it can contribute to happiness as it takes away a level of stress. If you are under that you always have to work and stress to meet the level...
sad part is the last sentence...
Having more money can make you happier, but not necessarily. If, for instance, you are stuck without the ability to attract the opposite sex or are stalked continually by bad luck in that area, more money cannot replace having that problem solved. And, if you are in a cult like the Washtowel Slaveholdery, more money usually means more hounding to put it in the Worldwide Pedophile Defense Fund and spend more time in field circus.
There is, however, one way more money means more happiness. If you are earning the money creating value for society, it will lead to more happiness (provided, however, other pressing needs are not the limiting factor).
If I knew that my basic needs and reasonable wants could be attained without money, then no. As things currently stand, then, yes.
Dave
more money, more problems
Biggie Smalls
I don't think that having more money always leads to a better life, it all depends on what your goals are. If you enjoy owning things just for the sake of it or because its a status symbol, you just higher your expectations in life and strive towards whatever is just out of your grip. Life is never fulfilled.
My dream would be to live on a smallholding generate my own power and food and be completely self sustainable till the day I die. Yes, I would like a big windfall now but I would put it to good use, to facilitate a simpler and lower impact lifestyle for the future.
Money can't buy you happiness, but the lack of it can make you miserable.
Paul
I'm in my mid-50s, and one lesson I've learned is that the lack of money is the source of a LOT of stress in life. I HATE it when I don't have enough money. I've lived too many years where blowing the motor in a vehicle or another unexpected event could have put me on the streets.
Waking up in the middle of the night stressed out about how you're going to pay bills is HORRIBLE.
So yes, money can be a huge factor in a person's happiness. Not having to worry about paying bills, not having to drive a junk vehicle that is a constant source of frustration, not having to worry about heating your home because fuel oil is outrageously expensive, being able to do what you want when you want to, being able to help your kids or grandkids get a good education - those things are priceless.
At the same time, a LOT of money can be a huge factor in a person's unhappiness.
As jgnat wrote, there is a point of diminishing returns. There is a great book, Your Money or Your Life, that discusses this in detail. They have a graph that shows a real increase in happiness as income expands and debt diminishes. BUT, at a certain point, once needs and legitimate and important wants are met, there is a rapid leveling off, and after that happiness actually DECREASES, even though wealth might increase.
I've told all my kids that, if there was ONE THING that they could do that would make their lives much, much better and happier, it was to learn how to handle money and stay out of debt.
I'm not sure they listened all that well!
S4
Well between the economy, gas, housing and the construction industry which we had our business in, and our house expansion project having its line of credit yanked because my house value tanked, we are forced to file for bankruptcy in July. So....yeah....it would.
There is a positive relationship between money and happiness. But there are a lot of variables you need to consider. Most of everyone's money comes from the work they do. If you hate your job, you will be misserable. However, there is no direct correlation between your income and the quality of your work environment.
As a matter of reference, I love what I do. So, if I was able to get a job that paid twice of what I was making and had a reasonable expectation that I would be happy in the job, I would make a change. And I would be happier overall.
It's not that simple of course but I would certainly appreciate the freedom and time that cash in the bank would give me.
Damn straight. Money doesn't buy happiness but I could lease it,....
