We've All Heard that Money Can't Buy Happiness... (paycheck, interest, financial)

[zeta_male]

But what is the reasoning behind that? Although I'm only 19, I've been working all my life (however brief it is) towards trying to get a job that pays well so that I can buy nicer things, etc. Nowadays, I'm beginning to question whether all the extra stress/pressure I put on myself to get something like this is worth it, and I feel like I'm missing out on a lot of other stuff in the process. I'm wondering if anyone else has or is a gunner and what your thoughts on about the pursuit of material wealth (be it money, nice clothes, big mansion, fancy cars, etc.) and overall happiness.

[Chango]

I remember reading something that showed money does bring happiness...to a certain point. But beyond the point where you have your material needs taken care of and don't have the stress of living from paycheck to paycheck, more money didn't actually make people more happy.

[evilnewbie]

Once my material needs are met, there is nothing that can add "more" happiness for me... of course my material needs costs in the millions and millions...

[JPD]

Money can't buy happiness, but it certainly can pay for things that cause unhappiness. You're going to be a lot happier when your car breaks down if you have enough money to pay for the repairs than you would be if you didn't have the money.

[wanneroo]

Last year I stayed a week in a multi million dollar mansion. Was it fun and made the trip better, you bet. Did it make me a happier person? No.

I used to work for the uber wealthy including a number of billionaires. Most of them were happy, self realized people, but not all, especially those that had been handed their money and didn't have to work for it. I used to do a lot of work in Aspen Colorado and that is the capital of superficially and showing off. Many of them are glamorous and wealthy and then below the surface you find many of them hate themselves, are on drugs, kids are on drugs and in trouble, are having affairs, have legal problems, etc. etc.

And interesting enough at the same time I was working for those people, I was trying to get ahead by working 80-100 hours a week. I let myself get out of shape and didn't do things like go to the dentist in time to fix simple cavities so all the extra money I made eventually went towards a few root canals and getting myself healthy and sound again. And worse not just the money aspect but I missed having a lot of fun with friends and doing a lot of skiing and having fun. So much for that.

[hindsight2020]

Money sure buys happiness in my world. It's not a linear relationship though. At a certain point it plateaus. But to suggest money has nothing to do with the attainment of happiness is beyond disingenuous. If I had enough money to insulate myself from the hardships of "living", I could concentrate on self-actualizing, which is a mostly non-economic activity mind you. Thence, I would be happy. Merely asserting to being happy in the midst of hardship or scarcity is to be content. Contentment is not the same thing as happiness. Not by a long shot. Can you be content without money? Sure. Can you be happy without money? Heall naw. Stoicism does not equal self-actualization.

[SpeedyAZ]

Money does NOT equate to happiness, it merely gives one protection from financial hardship. To believe money directly equates to happiness is simply not true.

Once you have enough money to cover your basic needs (food, shelter, clothing, etc), everything above that might add entertainment and enjoyment, but it won't make you "happy". All the money in the world does not ensure ones health or health of family/friends. Money does not prevent death/divorce/etc etc etc.

Too many people have the mindset that "If I only had <insert item> I'd be happy". It doesn't work that way folks! That item may add enjoyment to your life but it's not going to make you any happier than if you never had it.

[hskrfan2187]

Originally Posted by zeta_male

But what is the reasoning behind that? Although I'm only 19, I've been working all my life (however brief it is) towards trying to get a job that pays well so that I can buy nicer things, etc. Nowadays, I'm beginning to question whether all the extra stress/pressure I put on myself to get something like this is worth it, and I feel like I'm missing out on a lot of other stuff in the process. I'm wondering if anyone else has or is a gunner and what your thoughts on about the pursuit of material wealth (be it money, nice clothes, big mansion, fancy cars, etc.) and overall happiness.

People always say money can't buy happiness because it is your family that matters. Well if you have your faith in order and have a great family that you love but are worried about paying your bills month to month, how happy are you? Now take that same person with their faith in order, a great family, and is financially independent. I would venture to guess that second person is happier with their life than the first.

I'm currently 23 and I'm extremely dedicated to what I'm doing so that I can become financially independent (i could care less about fancy cars and fancy clothes). Every extra dollar I can get my hands on I invest and currently have about as much saved as the average american in their 50's. That's not a testament to me, but rather a show of how little people worry about their financial future. From the time I was about 12 I was looking to create enough wealth so that I could live off of passive income. It's not rocket science, it just requires dedication and a vision for your life.

Having said all that money doesn't buy happiness if you don't have your morals in order and are not happy with your family life. I think it's important to remind yourself that family and faith always comes first but your financial future follows closely behind those two. If you follow that formula I see no reason to believe that money won't allow you to live a stress free life due to not having to live paycheck to paycheck.

[mrgrape]

Life is all about your Dreams.

[marmac]

money can't buy happiness, but happiness can't buy groceries or put a roof over your head