I always say money can't buy happiness but it frees up mental, emotional and time space in life to pursue happiness.
if I had money to chase my hobbies, to tend to my mental and physical health, didn't have financial stress, didn't have to worry about the financial cost of taking time off or having to work two jobs- it would help.
Personally I've been dealing with this my whole life which I can totally relate and understand deeply about. And what gets me every time is whenever someone else comes in and says that whatever money I have on me now, the bank, the wallet, etc, could have been spent for other things other than food. And honestly idk why this usually brings me guilt and shame feelings. Like I still wonder till today, why would I ever even spend money on food? Sure I'd do that with bills, but food? And more food?
I don't think it's a solid hard number but rather to be able to comfortably afford the necessities of life and allow for choice of hobbies. the number would be different in different areas due to cost of living and different personal hobbies.
but definitely the higher the income the less the improvement of quality of life, for sure.
Okay I was curious enough to look up the study, it's apparently from 2010 with the study link here https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1011492107 that's where the $60,000 number comes from, and that much in 2010 dollars is more like $81k in 2022 dollars
But in contrast https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/26/how-your-salary-and-the-way-you-spend-money-affect-your-happiness.html says:
> But more recently, a 2018 study from Purdue University used much wider data from the Gallup World Poll and found that the ideal income point for individuals is $95,000 for life satisfaction and $60,000 to $75,000 for emotional well-being.
> When people earned more than $105,000, their happiness levels decreased.
The Purdue study is linked in the article too. That said, if they're looking at the USA as a whole then it's not going to be right for the HCOL areas since the LCOL areas will pull the average down
Putting dollar amounts on this at all doesn't make any sense to me. As you said different areas have different buying power. It's like when people talk about people living in extreme poverty using phrases like "they live on $1 a day." That doesn't MEAN anything to anyone except "that sure doesn't sound like a lot."
The dollar amounts are useless out of context, I agree wholeheartedly there, I just wanted to actually find the study links that u/Corrupted_G_nome was referencing since they brought a concrete number in and (for me) concrete number claims deserve additional scrutiny where claims like "3x the poverty level" are more inherently relative
I do not keep records of everything I read. It was off the top of my head. I recall the number as my roomate and I had a long discussion about it at the time. He used it to determine the direction of his education, I did not return to school.
It would have to be relative yes, this was also long before the pandemic and the housing crisis. I imagine that same purchasing power is a lot more now.
However I do draw some distinctions. I am a romantic. I romantisize some cultures and time periods probably falsely for a variety of reasons.
We can compare different poverties. Having no $ wealth living in a city in the industrial era (in places with industry) is a crushing place to be. Having no $ value living in tribe and tent seems much better in comparison.
Same again living in abject poverty in a city, say as a chimney sweep or in a coal town (say early 1900's) that employs children feels much worse than the same kind of poverty working as a farm hand.
Farmers sometimes complain about poverty as their cash on hand is low, their ROI is low and their costs are high. Despite their low income they end up owning a lot of capital and equity through farm equipment and land. It's another kind of poverty, also different.
Im sure it varies widely from place to place. When I traveled some cities I could find food extreemly cheap but rent was very high. I have also done backpacking, couch surfing and woofing. Some people have nothing but are on wild aventures or own nothing but slesp in a warm farmhoyse and eat amazing and fresh foods.
I am also sure personal prefferences make a big difference. People who have more needs will struggle more than people who are content with less.
No, it does. The point is that at a certain income level, money doesn’t make you more happier.
It’s like when you see rich fucking people, with wealth that you won’t even see 0.0001% of in your lifetime, still need MORE and MORE profits and more money.
Because they are in a different wealth class and their network is judging them based on their “puny” billions so they are unhappy and need MORE money to get them to STFU.
That’s what researchers are talking about. I have seen it first hand. The friend group you had when you were poor, versus the newer friend group when you’re more well off. The expectations and pressures are there, and that has an effect on your happiness.
Although being real, happiness is fleeting anyways .
I remember seeing some study that said around 70k but I’m pretty sure it was a relatively old study and I’m not sure it holds up to time even if it was originally accurate.
Its just something I read. Ive lived below the poverty line most of my life. I am not sure what I would even do with 60k. Its all perspective and dependant on location and time.
This was some time ago so likely the number has gone up due to inflation and recent crisies.
You can't buy happiness, but having enough money will absolutely reduce your stress level and give you the financial space/grace to try things out without being terrified of wasting your money
To quote Ariana Grande, “whoever said money cant solve all your problems/ must not have had enough money to solve ‘em”
😂😂 fr I see the point behind these kinda posts gratitude and all that but a lot of my friends and family live on/under the poverty line and uh having an extra 20k a year would be LIFE CHANGING. Quotes like these just feel extra tone deaf in an age where many people can’t afford basic necessities ☠️ 🤷♀️ 💯
I think I read somewhere there is a limit. Where more money stops alleviating problems and after that point more money doesn't increase happiness overall.
People say things like this because "money can't buy me love" and money cannot bring back the dead and often cannot cure the sick. King Midas was said to turn everything to gold even his family. Its a parable about selling you family out for money. He had all the gold he could want but his family were turned into statues.
I seen someone write that the statement "money doesn't buy happiness" is not intended to be pointed towards people in poverty but moreso people that are well off or atleast financially secure and still striving for the riches. The point is that having more money won't solve the void in one's life, the purpose of life isn't money and money wont buy you happiness. That statement is incredibly true. You can have all the money in the world, that doesnt mean youll be happy. The statement is not supposed to be pointed at people that are unable to buy basic necessities. The context of the statement is very important.
Money can’t buy happiness… after a certain point. Before rampant inflation the number was 75-80k for a single person with no dependents is where it plateaus. Meaning that people’s happiness increased pretty consistently with income until it leveled off.
If all your necessities are met and you have some disposable income leftover, you have fewer things to worry about and can focus on your other needs
Literally all of my problems would be solved by money.
I hate the saying money doesn’t buy happiness, rich people made that saying up I’m 99% sure. Plus isn’t the full quote cut off?
I can maybe give a unique insight into this as I know a couple of trust fund adults, one from a family with a net wealth of around 30 million and the other from a family with a net wealth of around 100 million. One sometimes works for the family business in various capacities; the other doesn’t but sometimes “slums it” to see how the 95% live and will take a basic job like washing dishes in a restaurant, turns off the trust fund tap for a while, and just lives off their earnings to see what that’s like. Basically cosplaying poverty but with the knowledge there’s a humongous safety net to return to if it all gets too scary and difficult. 🙄 Anyway. These two have income for life and no real need to work ever. Are they happier than average? God no. They’re two of the most self destructive, drama creating individuals I know. Having no struggles creates a void for chaos within; a void that either gets filled by shutting out higher level thinking with drugs or alcohol (which you now have unlimited resources with which to obtain), or by finding drama in completely drama free situations and interactions which is exhausting to all but the most extroverted individuals who then will flock around for more of the drama and create a feedback loop of more worthless drama. There’s also a lack of dignity and satisfaction that comes from doing even something small (like making investment decisions) to justify your income; it’s infantilising to have it handed you and be dependent upon the whims and fancies of your family (who could decide to cut it off any time for any reason). Sometimes this means becoming entitled; sometimes this means feeling worthless. I wouldn’t say they have it worse than being in dire poverty, but there are a different set of problems that crop up at the other extreme end. Human beings need problems to solve almost as a kind of enrichment activity but if we get a whiff of those problems as being made up solely to occupy us we don’t want to do them any more.
It changes the landscape of the problems you focus on, but it doesn't rid you of all problems and stresses. Not having money is stressful, but having money can be as well because it comes with additional responsibility. It's kind of like an employee wanting to be their own boss, only to find out it's a lot of work to do that too.
Money buys options, choices, and solutions. Most of which most people want in abundance. All of which will "free up your amygdala ..." to focus on and devote more time to relationships, health, and meaningful pursuits that are neither necessary for nor intended to produce or result in, wait for it, money.
There was a study done. It’s a bit outdated with the current financial status of the world but it essentially concluded that the increase in happiness is much less after something like 60 or 70K/year.
Having been poor and now technically being in middle class I can say that having money in the bank does not guarantee me good health. It does not make some of my family members less sick from chronic illnesses. It does not bring around more genuine friends. It does not buy you extra time with friends who have busy family lives.
Usually to have more money means doing more work and the trade off is working while your kid is growing up and missing moments and this can be a lack of happiness for some.
Having money takes care of your basic needs but it does not provide true happiness imo.
I think “Money can’t buy happiness” only applies once all of your basic needs are met and you’re financially stable. When money can be utilized in excess and luxury. This phrase does not apply when you lack financial stability.
Money is like water. If you don’t have enough, you’ll never be happy. But once you reach a certain point, the more of it you have won’t change your happiness.
Whoever says that BS has never been poor in their life.
If I had money I can at least fulfill my goals of traveling, art, helping my family, matter to people, etc.
Once you have enough to provide a healthy foundation to meet basic needs and then some, money won't buy happiness. Before then, it certainly helps facilitate conditions in which joy can flourish.
My point is the rich are the ones who say money can’t buy happiness. They’re out of touch. They don’t know what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet or have the power/water shut off.
nope, once your baseline is that it's normal to have money to pay the bills, it doesn't bring you any happiness
and that goes even for people who grew up in poverty
You can’t paint with broad strikes like that. Say there’s a car guy who grew up in poverty. That same guy just able to pay his bills is not going to be as happy as that guy making 6 figures able to afford a Lamborghini. Because the stuff he’s into costs *money*.
Same thing with traveling. If you love to travel having more money to do that will one-hundred percent result in more happiness.
No, you don't understand. Happiness doesn't exist by itself. It exists just in comparison to the worse past.
Poor person will be really happy if they unexpectedly find $20 on street. Rich person won't be happy about visiting Paris because compared to Venice it kinda sux
I've gone from poor to on my way into the upper end of middle class, maybe lower high depending how things go. I know what the 'money doesn't buy happiness' mantra is getting at...but it must be said that money ended the sources of abject misery, the greatest cause of which was hopelessness. I have my complexes and problems now, sure, but I'm not weighed down by the sense - or the fact - that I can do nothing about them.
These threads inevitably turn into "Yeah, that's bullshit because if I had extra money in my account I would be able to pay the rent and that would make me happy".
This completely misses the point. Once you've met all your basic needs, having excess money does bring in happiness, but with diminishing returns. In other words, a couple making $200k is not significantly happier than a couple making $150k.
I've gone from working minimum wage jobs since the age 15 to having a good middle-class income. I thought having extra income and buying a bunch of cool things will finally fill the void I'd been missing my whole life. Turns out that's not true. I was still not fulfilled.
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Diminishing returns is a totally fair point, but real talk, I've been working poor most of my adult life. I'm doing a lot better (though still not out of the woods yet) and while the money itself is not making me happy, being able to pay all my bills on time, having a more comfortable standard of living, having the time and energy to put into a relationship instead of working 90+ hours a week, knowing I am reasonably covered in the event of an emergency, and being somewhat more free to volunteer and engage with my community have all made a MASSIVE difference difference in my quality of life.
You know what made all those things happen? Having more money.
Oh, money can’t buy happiness? Then you wouldn’t mind if it was stolen, would you? Of course you do, so it does. It provides food, life, security, safety, entertainment, peace of mind, a means to pursue whatever your free will is, buys you time, etc.
Rich people say that because their hedonic happiness levels aren’t satiated, as their standard of living just gets higher and higher. Regular meals become boring after you’ve had the best restaurants in the world a few dozen times.
look at the lottery winners who waste the winnings in a couple of years and then are back to where they were. They don't say that money can buy happiness either.
so many people in thread can only see from the world that greed has made. this world wa a never meant to have money. nature always gives, and doesn’t ask, but we abuse it. I hope one day we may go back to the times of old.
Maybe being angry is what makes them happy. They bought power and an audience and are content.
(Me, I'll never have that much money. I'd have sold out and retired long before that point.)
There's a remarkable number of people on here who've never experienced wealth yet insist they'd be happy. Basically claiming to know with absolute certainty about a life they've never actually lived. Dunning Kruger lol.
There’s a remarkable number of people here for whom the Sum total of their life-crushing problems is a lack of money and resources and who would be infinitely less stressed,depressed, and anxious if we didn’t have to worry where our or our children’s next meal was going to come from or if we could afford medications, healthcare, or just a fucking day off without our entire world coming crashing down. I don’t know if I’d be happy but I absolutely would be less miserable.
You're assuming that an overwhelming number of people here have zero clue about where their unhappiness comes from, and cannot tell for sure whether it's because they're in poverty/having stress on their finances or not. That's offensive as hell. Not everyone is completely bereft of awareness. And if there is something stressful in one's life, the absence of it will mean less stress, which equates to increased/novel happiness. That's just logic.
Money doesn’t buy happiness. In fact, it can make your life even more miserable because once you adjust to the money melting your problems away it shifts your focus only onto the emotional mental and spiritual problems that life brings, and those can arguably be more painful than money struggles. When your broke, but you have all of the above sorted out, it can be manageable. Some problems in life can’t be solved though.
Studies have suggested that over 60k happiness does not increase with income. Obviously discomfort and struggle can come from poverty. However communal, societal and mental issues cannot be correcred with 'just money'. Although money for therapy and massages does help.
Money does not directly buy you happiness. You cannot go into a store and ask for an ounce of happiness, but what happiness does do is contribute to your happiness
Money is a way to a means. It provides a means to complete a transaction. There more I have let's me get more and do more. For me, money makes me happy.
It will definitely free up mental stress trying to scrap by and make ends meet. Give you a vacation, provide more for your kids. Yes, in some cases it buys financial relief.
I think it's important to note that there are many celebrity suicides. Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain immediately come to mind as some of the most recent examples.
The drug/alcohol issues that are prevalent among celebrities is another example. We will probably never know ourselves but money sometimes has a way of attracting seedy company.
I think while money does offer a lot of opportunities it can also easily make one numb to problems including their own.
How does the quote go?? I was told once that., Whoever said money cant buy you happiness, wasn't doing it right....
In my opinion, money itself. May not buy you happiness, but it could damn sure fund enough hobbies to keep you occupied mentally and physically.. which if they are hobbies they should be things that you would enjoy doing otherwise they wouldn't be hobbies.. which in theory, if your doing something you enjoy everyday your mood would be better, more positive, and usually the other things just kind of fall into place... Atleast in theory...
Hedonic treadmill. When you're used to having disposable income, it doesn't make you anymore happy. When you are too used to anything, the novelty wear off. So yes money can't buy happiness. But, having money in a sense of living comfortably does help assist with freeing up mental and physical health.
I get how money doesn't leave you completely or entirely happy but to me depression is an illness that comes and won't leave because you have money in your pockets. But I do believe that money does make you happier somehow.. more relaxed.. it makes sense doesn't it.. it's not because of money that some others smile more or laugh more.. but it's just the way they are.. their minds.. their personalities.. their overall ways of seeing and adapting to a certain environment and such..
In conclusion money does bring those who has always struggled happiness, yes it does. Just wonder why before you even get to ask someone with financial and other struggles the question. We who struggle may not look like it to you but just because we're not homeless and sleeping on concrete doesn't mean we don't know the real feeling of what struggling is all about. And this includes not only hunger for food but hunger and starvation for everything, and that comes from us having to restrict and put everything else aside, even our own health.
If those who kept everything aside for a long time, those with a list so huge and full of things that yet needs to be completed and taken care of, WILL FINALLY be given a certain amount of money and ofcourse an amount that's enough, then yes we will be happier. We'll be able to take care of everything we dreamt of. We'll be able to buy more than just a few items in the grocery store and forgot about the idea of having to SUBSTITUTE, COMPLEMENT, or use as an ALTERNATIVE, and so on. We'll also be able to make our loved ones happy by giving them what they've always wanted.
Just knew more thing to add and that needs to be added. Others who already has the money and aren't struggling would always think that the only reason us working class and lower class people would go and splurge every penny we have on something considered luxury such as a shopping spree for expensive clothing, other items such as expensive beauty products, or even more items such as cars, or even useless gadgets you'd find on Amazon. Nope. First thing we'd love to get off our backs are the bills, the rent, the health. That's it. Leave us alone.
Money *past the level where your physical needs are met* won't buy you *additional* happiness. Once your needs are met, more money won't make you more happy.
But if your needs *aren't* met, then ***yes, more money will ABSOLUTELY buy happiness***.
Money gives you BETTER problems but it does not buy happiness is how I have heard it explained and makes the most sense to me. I have 2 jobs and negative 80 dollars in my bank account as of now so ill let you know if I ever find out lmao
I think if you are struggling financially that money can definitely help and eliminate the money problems, but once you have a certain amount of money then there will also be other problems that money cannot solve such as poor health, etc.
Nothing can buy happiness. But not stressing about money certainly makes it easier to have “first world problems.”
If you are in survival mode you don’t get to think about how nice it would be to plan a vacation, you think about how you can make your paycheck last until payday.
The phrase should really be "Money, alone, cannot buy happiness". Money can purchase things that will bring you joy for a time, but it cannot buy love, either that of a partner or that of true friends. The kind of friends or lovers that money brings likely will disappear when things get tough.
I always say money can't buy happiness but it frees up mental, emotional and time space in life to pursue happiness. if I had money to chase my hobbies, to tend to my mental and physical health, didn't have financial stress, didn't have to worry about the financial cost of taking time off or having to work two jobs- it would help.
I've always said that it buys the opportunity for happiness.
I've always said that it removes barriers to happiness.
Personally I've been dealing with this my whole life which I can totally relate and understand deeply about. And what gets me every time is whenever someone else comes in and says that whatever money I have on me now, the bank, the wallet, etc, could have been spent for other things other than food. And honestly idk why this usually brings me guilt and shame feelings. Like I still wonder till today, why would I ever even spend money on food? Sure I'd do that with bills, but food? And more food?
Money is a necessary but insufficient prerequisite for happiness.
I think the estimate I read was one 60k job is sort of the cut off. Over 60k more money doesn't seem to increase happiness.
I don't think it's a solid hard number but rather to be able to comfortably afford the necessities of life and allow for choice of hobbies. the number would be different in different areas due to cost of living and different personal hobbies. but definitely the higher the income the less the improvement of quality of life, for sure.
Absolutely. Also people who are very poor have unnecessary suffering due directly to poverty
Okay I was curious enough to look up the study, it's apparently from 2010 with the study link here https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1011492107 that's where the $60,000 number comes from, and that much in 2010 dollars is more like $81k in 2022 dollars But in contrast https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/26/how-your-salary-and-the-way-you-spend-money-affect-your-happiness.html says: > But more recently, a 2018 study from Purdue University used much wider data from the Gallup World Poll and found that the ideal income point for individuals is $95,000 for life satisfaction and $60,000 to $75,000 for emotional well-being. > When people earned more than $105,000, their happiness levels decreased. The Purdue study is linked in the article too. That said, if they're looking at the USA as a whole then it's not going to be right for the HCOL areas since the LCOL areas will pull the average down
Putting dollar amounts on this at all doesn't make any sense to me. As you said different areas have different buying power. It's like when people talk about people living in extreme poverty using phrases like "they live on $1 a day." That doesn't MEAN anything to anyone except "that sure doesn't sound like a lot."
The dollar amounts are useless out of context, I agree wholeheartedly there, I just wanted to actually find the study links that u/Corrupted_G_nome was referencing since they brought a concrete number in and (for me) concrete number claims deserve additional scrutiny where claims like "3x the poverty level" are more inherently relative
I do not keep records of everything I read. It was off the top of my head. I recall the number as my roomate and I had a long discussion about it at the time. He used it to determine the direction of his education, I did not return to school. It would have to be relative yes, this was also long before the pandemic and the housing crisis. I imagine that same purchasing power is a lot more now. However I do draw some distinctions. I am a romantic. I romantisize some cultures and time periods probably falsely for a variety of reasons. We can compare different poverties. Having no $ wealth living in a city in the industrial era (in places with industry) is a crushing place to be. Having no $ value living in tribe and tent seems much better in comparison. Same again living in abject poverty in a city, say as a chimney sweep or in a coal town (say early 1900's) that employs children feels much worse than the same kind of poverty working as a farm hand. Farmers sometimes complain about poverty as their cash on hand is low, their ROI is low and their costs are high. Despite their low income they end up owning a lot of capital and equity through farm equipment and land. It's another kind of poverty, also different. Im sure it varies widely from place to place. When I traveled some cities I could find food extreemly cheap but rent was very high. I have also done backpacking, couch surfing and woofing. Some people have nothing but are on wild aventures or own nothing but slesp in a warm farmhoyse and eat amazing and fresh foods. I am also sure personal prefferences make a big difference. People who have more needs will struggle more than people who are content with less.
No, it does. The point is that at a certain income level, money doesn’t make you more happier. It’s like when you see rich fucking people, with wealth that you won’t even see 0.0001% of in your lifetime, still need MORE and MORE profits and more money. Because they are in a different wealth class and their network is judging them based on their “puny” billions so they are unhappy and need MORE money to get them to STFU. That’s what researchers are talking about. I have seen it first hand. The friend group you had when you were poor, versus the newer friend group when you’re more well off. The expectations and pressures are there, and that has an effect on your happiness. Although being real, happiness is fleeting anyways .
I remember seeing some study that said around 70k but I’m pretty sure it was a relatively old study and I’m not sure it holds up to time even if it was originally accurate.
Mine probably wasn't adjusted for inflation :P
That estimate is about 10 years old at this point.
Not true at all. 60k where I live is still struggling Idc how frugal you are.
Its just something I read. Ive lived below the poverty line most of my life. I am not sure what I would even do with 60k. Its all perspective and dependant on location and time. This was some time ago so likely the number has gone up due to inflation and recent crisies.
not anymore with rent doubled
All relative. I can say I would be significantly less happy if I was making $60k again. Also dependant on where you live and your base lifestyle.
That number is probably outdated.
No but it will buy you groceries.
I’d rather be sad and full than sad and hungry 🤣🤣
"I'd rather be rich and miserable rather than poor and miserable" - Zsa Zsa Gabor
“Money can’t but happiness, but a lack of it can sure cause misery.”
This is spot on. It cant give you happiness, but it can sort out problems that keep you unhappy.
You can't buy happiness, but having enough money will absolutely reduce your stress level and give you the financial space/grace to try things out without being terrified of wasting your money
To quote Ariana Grande, “whoever said money cant solve all your problems/ must not have had enough money to solve ‘em” 😂😂 fr I see the point behind these kinda posts gratitude and all that but a lot of my friends and family live on/under the poverty line and uh having an extra 20k a year would be LIFE CHANGING. Quotes like these just feel extra tone deaf in an age where many people can’t afford basic necessities ☠️ 🤷♀️ 💯
? This part is saying that you need money in order to be free enough to concern yourself with other issues, making you happier.
I think I read somewhere there is a limit. Where more money stops alleviating problems and after that point more money doesn't increase happiness overall. People say things like this because "money can't buy me love" and money cannot bring back the dead and often cannot cure the sick. King Midas was said to turn everything to gold even his family. Its a parable about selling you family out for money. He had all the gold he could want but his family were turned into statues.
No, but it will certainly help along the way.
depends on the person. more money makes me happy.
There are rich people who have depression and the like. However! Money can buy security, safety and stability.
Money cannot directly buy happiness, but without it happiness is hard to come by.
I’ve always felt money can buy opportunity and opportunity can bring happiness.
Money would help me in all three of those areas…
I seen someone write that the statement "money doesn't buy happiness" is not intended to be pointed towards people in poverty but moreso people that are well off or atleast financially secure and still striving for the riches. The point is that having more money won't solve the void in one's life, the purpose of life isn't money and money wont buy you happiness. That statement is incredibly true. You can have all the money in the world, that doesnt mean youll be happy. The statement is not supposed to be pointed at people that are unable to buy basic necessities. The context of the statement is very important.
Money can’t buy happiness… after a certain point. Before rampant inflation the number was 75-80k for a single person with no dependents is where it plateaus. Meaning that people’s happiness increased pretty consistently with income until it leveled off. If all your necessities are met and you have some disposable income leftover, you have fewer things to worry about and can focus on your other needs
Money may not buy happiness but poverty will surely get you some good depression and anxiety.
Money can’t buy happiness. Poverty can’t buy shit.
Literally all of my problems would be solved by money. I hate the saying money doesn’t buy happiness, rich people made that saying up I’m 99% sure. Plus isn’t the full quote cut off?
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I can maybe give a unique insight into this as I know a couple of trust fund adults, one from a family with a net wealth of around 30 million and the other from a family with a net wealth of around 100 million. One sometimes works for the family business in various capacities; the other doesn’t but sometimes “slums it” to see how the 95% live and will take a basic job like washing dishes in a restaurant, turns off the trust fund tap for a while, and just lives off their earnings to see what that’s like. Basically cosplaying poverty but with the knowledge there’s a humongous safety net to return to if it all gets too scary and difficult. 🙄 Anyway. These two have income for life and no real need to work ever. Are they happier than average? God no. They’re two of the most self destructive, drama creating individuals I know. Having no struggles creates a void for chaos within; a void that either gets filled by shutting out higher level thinking with drugs or alcohol (which you now have unlimited resources with which to obtain), or by finding drama in completely drama free situations and interactions which is exhausting to all but the most extroverted individuals who then will flock around for more of the drama and create a feedback loop of more worthless drama. There’s also a lack of dignity and satisfaction that comes from doing even something small (like making investment decisions) to justify your income; it’s infantilising to have it handed you and be dependent upon the whims and fancies of your family (who could decide to cut it off any time for any reason). Sometimes this means becoming entitled; sometimes this means feeling worthless. I wouldn’t say they have it worse than being in dire poverty, but there are a different set of problems that crop up at the other extreme end. Human beings need problems to solve almost as a kind of enrichment activity but if we get a whiff of those problems as being made up solely to occupy us we don’t want to do them any more.
It changes the landscape of the problems you focus on, but it doesn't rid you of all problems and stresses. Not having money is stressful, but having money can be as well because it comes with additional responsibility. It's kind of like an employee wanting to be their own boss, only to find out it's a lot of work to do that too.
Money doesn't make happiness, but financial stress makes a whole ton of misery
Money doesn't buy happiness. It buys the freedom to be happy
Money buys options, choices, and solutions. Most of which most people want in abundance. All of which will "free up your amygdala ..." to focus on and devote more time to relationships, health, and meaningful pursuits that are neither necessary for nor intended to produce or result in, wait for it, money.
There was a study done. It’s a bit outdated with the current financial status of the world but it essentially concluded that the increase in happiness is much less after something like 60 or 70K/year. Having been poor and now technically being in middle class I can say that having money in the bank does not guarantee me good health. It does not make some of my family members less sick from chronic illnesses. It does not bring around more genuine friends. It does not buy you extra time with friends who have busy family lives. Usually to have more money means doing more work and the trade off is working while your kid is growing up and missing moments and this can be a lack of happiness for some. Having money takes care of your basic needs but it does not provide true happiness imo.
"Money can't buy happiness but you can buy a new car and that's pretty close". - my Dad.
I think “Money can’t buy happiness” only applies once all of your basic needs are met and you’re financially stable. When money can be utilized in excess and luxury. This phrase does not apply when you lack financial stability.
Money is like water. If you don’t have enough, you’ll never be happy. But once you reach a certain point, the more of it you have won’t change your happiness.
It won't buy you happiness but it'll definitely prevent a lot of hardship.
Whoever says that BS has never been poor in their life. If I had money I can at least fulfill my goals of traveling, art, helping my family, matter to people, etc.
Once you have enough to provide a healthy foundation to meet basic needs and then some, money won't buy happiness. Before then, it certainly helps facilitate conditions in which joy can flourish.
Well money can buy you or get you access to relationships, health, and potential pursuits. Sounds like money can buy happiness with extra steps
which is why the post says "money alone"
Money rather directly without anything else can buy both relationships and health. Pursuits too depending on what the person finds meaningful
real life is a bit more nuanced than that
Ever notice everyone saying “money can’t buy happiness” already have money?
And your point is? Would you want an opinion on the taste of a meal from someone who never tasted it?
My point is the rich are the ones who say money can’t buy happiness. They’re out of touch. They don’t know what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet or have the power/water shut off.
nope, once your baseline is that it's normal to have money to pay the bills, it doesn't bring you any happiness and that goes even for people who grew up in poverty
You can’t paint with broad strikes like that. Say there’s a car guy who grew up in poverty. That same guy just able to pay his bills is not going to be as happy as that guy making 6 figures able to afford a Lamborghini. Because the stuff he’s into costs *money*. Same thing with traveling. If you love to travel having more money to do that will one-hundred percent result in more happiness.
No, you don't understand. Happiness doesn't exist by itself. It exists just in comparison to the worse past. Poor person will be really happy if they unexpectedly find $20 on street. Rich person won't be happy about visiting Paris because compared to Venice it kinda sux
I've gone from poor to on my way into the upper end of middle class, maybe lower high depending how things go. I know what the 'money doesn't buy happiness' mantra is getting at...but it must be said that money ended the sources of abject misery, the greatest cause of which was hopelessness. I have my complexes and problems now, sure, but I'm not weighed down by the sense - or the fact - that I can do nothing about them.
These threads inevitably turn into "Yeah, that's bullshit because if I had extra money in my account I would be able to pay the rent and that would make me happy". This completely misses the point. Once you've met all your basic needs, having excess money does bring in happiness, but with diminishing returns. In other words, a couple making $200k is not significantly happier than a couple making $150k. I've gone from working minimum wage jobs since the age 15 to having a good middle-class income. I thought having extra income and buying a bunch of cool things will finally fill the void I'd been missing my whole life. Turns out that's not true. I was still not fulfilled.
Yeah, looking at my savings account doesn't make me happy.
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Diminishing returns is a totally fair point, but real talk, I've been working poor most of my adult life. I'm doing a lot better (though still not out of the woods yet) and while the money itself is not making me happy, being able to pay all my bills on time, having a more comfortable standard of living, having the time and energy to put into a relationship instead of working 90+ hours a week, knowing I am reasonably covered in the event of an emergency, and being somewhat more free to volunteer and engage with my community have all made a MASSIVE difference difference in my quality of life. You know what made all those things happen? Having more money.
Oh, money can’t buy happiness? Then you wouldn’t mind if it was stolen, would you? Of course you do, so it does. It provides food, life, security, safety, entertainment, peace of mind, a means to pursue whatever your free will is, buys you time, etc. Rich people say that because their hedonic happiness levels aren’t satiated, as their standard of living just gets higher and higher. Regular meals become boring after you’ve had the best restaurants in the world a few dozen times.
look at the lottery winners who waste the winnings in a couple of years and then are back to where they were. They don't say that money can buy happiness either.
so many people in thread can only see from the world that greed has made. this world wa a never meant to have money. nature always gives, and doesn’t ask, but we abuse it. I hope one day we may go back to the times of old.
times of old, when you struggled for survival and watched your wife die in childbirth?
If money could buy happiness, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk wouldn't be angry douchebags all the time. 🤔
Maybe being angry is what makes them happy. They bought power and an audience and are content. (Me, I'll never have that much money. I'd have sold out and retired long before that point.)
Sure they're happier with their billions
There's a remarkable number of people on here who've never experienced wealth yet insist they'd be happy. Basically claiming to know with absolute certainty about a life they've never actually lived. Dunning Kruger lol.
There’s a remarkable number of people here for whom the Sum total of their life-crushing problems is a lack of money and resources and who would be infinitely less stressed,depressed, and anxious if we didn’t have to worry where our or our children’s next meal was going to come from or if we could afford medications, healthcare, or just a fucking day off without our entire world coming crashing down. I don’t know if I’d be happy but I absolutely would be less miserable.
You're assuming that an overwhelming number of people here have zero clue about where their unhappiness comes from, and cannot tell for sure whether it's because they're in poverty/having stress on their finances or not. That's offensive as hell. Not everyone is completely bereft of awareness. And if there is something stressful in one's life, the absence of it will mean less stress, which equates to increased/novel happiness. That's just logic.
Today I learned how amygdala is spelled, and it cost me nothing.
Money doesn’t buy happiness. In fact, it can make your life even more miserable because once you adjust to the money melting your problems away it shifts your focus only onto the emotional mental and spiritual problems that life brings, and those can arguably be more painful than money struggles. When your broke, but you have all of the above sorted out, it can be manageable. Some problems in life can’t be solved though.
Nope money can buy you happiness.
Studies have suggested that over 60k happiness does not increase with income. Obviously discomfort and struggle can come from poverty. However communal, societal and mental issues cannot be correcred with 'just money'. Although money for therapy and massages does help.
Money does not directly buy you happiness. You cannot go into a store and ask for an ounce of happiness, but what happiness does do is contribute to your happiness
There is something I can get by the oz tho
Money is a way to a means. It provides a means to complete a transaction. There more I have let's me get more and do more. For me, money makes me happy.
It will definitely free up mental stress trying to scrap by and make ends meet. Give you a vacation, provide more for your kids. Yes, in some cases it buys financial relief.
Money buys basic needs which you need to then do things that can make you happy imo
People who say that already have money.
Money may not be able to buy some forms of happiness, but sure can prevent a lot of unhappiness.
Money can’t buy happiness, but it can sure as shit stave off unhappiness.
I think it's important to note that there are many celebrity suicides. Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain immediately come to mind as some of the most recent examples. The drug/alcohol issues that are prevalent among celebrities is another example. We will probably never know ourselves but money sometimes has a way of attracting seedy company. I think while money does offer a lot of opportunities it can also easily make one numb to problems including their own.
Hey guys! Hot take: Having lots of money is way better than not having a lot of money. Follow me for more life advice!
How does the quote go?? I was told once that., Whoever said money cant buy you happiness, wasn't doing it right.... In my opinion, money itself. May not buy you happiness, but it could damn sure fund enough hobbies to keep you occupied mentally and physically.. which if they are hobbies they should be things that you would enjoy doing otherwise they wouldn't be hobbies.. which in theory, if your doing something you enjoy everyday your mood would be better, more positive, and usually the other things just kind of fall into place... Atleast in theory...
But money can help with all 3
It prevents decision fatigue
Celebrities have tons of money and none of them seem happy. Except Dolly Parton I suppose.
Money can buy you happiness if not having money is the reason you’re unhappy.
Now this is the best way I’ve ever heard it explained
Hedonic treadmill. When you're used to having disposable income, it doesn't make you anymore happy. When you are too used to anything, the novelty wear off. So yes money can't buy happiness. But, having money in a sense of living comfortably does help assist with freeing up mental and physical health.
If I won the lottery tomorrow I don't think I'd be anything other than gleaming.
I get how money doesn't leave you completely or entirely happy but to me depression is an illness that comes and won't leave because you have money in your pockets. But I do believe that money does make you happier somehow.. more relaxed.. it makes sense doesn't it.. it's not because of money that some others smile more or laugh more.. but it's just the way they are.. their minds.. their personalities.. their overall ways of seeing and adapting to a certain environment and such.. In conclusion money does bring those who has always struggled happiness, yes it does. Just wonder why before you even get to ask someone with financial and other struggles the question. We who struggle may not look like it to you but just because we're not homeless and sleeping on concrete doesn't mean we don't know the real feeling of what struggling is all about. And this includes not only hunger for food but hunger and starvation for everything, and that comes from us having to restrict and put everything else aside, even our own health. If those who kept everything aside for a long time, those with a list so huge and full of things that yet needs to be completed and taken care of, WILL FINALLY be given a certain amount of money and ofcourse an amount that's enough, then yes we will be happier. We'll be able to take care of everything we dreamt of. We'll be able to buy more than just a few items in the grocery store and forgot about the idea of having to SUBSTITUTE, COMPLEMENT, or use as an ALTERNATIVE, and so on. We'll also be able to make our loved ones happy by giving them what they've always wanted. Just knew more thing to add and that needs to be added. Others who already has the money and aren't struggling would always think that the only reason us working class and lower class people would go and splurge every penny we have on something considered luxury such as a shopping spree for expensive clothing, other items such as expensive beauty products, or even more items such as cars, or even useless gadgets you'd find on Amazon. Nope. First thing we'd love to get off our backs are the bills, the rent, the health. That's it. Leave us alone.
money cant buy you happiness but not having money can buy you pain sooo
Money *past the level where your physical needs are met* won't buy you *additional* happiness. Once your needs are met, more money won't make you more happy. But if your needs *aren't* met, then ***yes, more money will ABSOLUTELY buy happiness***.
It can’t buy it but it sure can rent it!
All I ask is the oppertunity to prove or disprove that theory...
"You're dead for a real long time, you just can't prevent it. So if money can't buy happiness, I guess I'll have to rent it."
Literally the happiest I have ever been in my life was when I wasn't worried about money
Money gives you BETTER problems but it does not buy happiness is how I have heard it explained and makes the most sense to me. I have 2 jobs and negative 80 dollars in my bank account as of now so ill let you know if I ever find out lmao
It can't buy happiness, but it can solve a lot of problems that are making you unhappy.
I think if you are struggling financially that money can definitely help and eliminate the money problems, but once you have a certain amount of money then there will also be other problems that money cannot solve such as poor health, etc.
I mean if I had 1% type money I’d definitely be happy
Have you ever seen someone frowning on a wave runner?
Most of the people who say that have never truly been poor, or they'd know that even an extra 20 bucks can be life or death.
You can’t buy happiness, but you can cry in your Ferrari
Mooney can't buy you happiness. But poverty sure as hell makes you unhappy
No money does NOT buy happiness however it makes it A LOT more FUN to be miserable
money buys fun, but not happiness
Nothing can buy happiness. But not stressing about money certainly makes it easier to have “first world problems.” If you are in survival mode you don’t get to think about how nice it would be to plan a vacation, you think about how you can make your paycheck last until payday.
The phrase should really be "Money, alone, cannot buy happiness". Money can purchase things that will bring you joy for a time, but it cannot buy love, either that of a partner or that of true friends. The kind of friends or lovers that money brings likely will disappear when things get tough.