Study: Money Does Not Buy Much Happiness

[sakigt]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I bought my first house at age 21. I had no money for furniture, so we went without until we could save to buy one piece at a time. My mother gave me some old beds, and I was thrilled!! I was just so happy to have my own house!!

Why do we have that smiley? :

Anywho. Id tend to agree to a point. I think have enough money for the basics is important for happiness. I remember making $120 a week in high school and being thrilled about it!

A shiney black (paid off) S2000 would make me VERY happy, though!

[jmjj215]

Anyone read Your Money or Your Life? I've only heard great things about it and plan on picking up a copy sometime soon. Apparently its subject is right on topic w/ this thread.

[rob62521]

First, I agree with Ima saying not having enough is misery. That said, I think we need to be satisfied with what we have. There is a book printed years ago called A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and the author wrote that the poor collected things because it was a comfort to have many things, even if these things weren't practical. (In context, these things were colorful umbrellas won as prizes) Anyway, I think that is true. When you don't have lots of stuff, you feel you have to keep getting stuff, especially if you are worried that you may lose whatever you do have. My folks grew up in the depression and that's what I heard -- don't throw that away, if we have another depression you might need that.

We also live in a society where we compare what we have to what others have. Guess that's what advertisers know and dwell on. We always want the newer, shinier, better. Guess that's human nature.

I sit back and look at my life. I'm not rich like Bill Gates, but I am much better off than my parents were. I do succumb to wants. But I think if one has enough or "sufficient to suffice", then we should try to be happy.

[SuzeOFan]

That's a very interesting insight rob. If you haven't seen the movie, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" you ought to! One of my personal old time favs. Rent it from Blockbuster. If you like that one, you might also like, "I Remember Mama" with Irene Dunne. Nothing like the old classics.

[Ima saver]

I loved, I remember Mama,I have had the book since I was a child.
The greater part of our happiness or misery, depends on our disposition and not on our circumstances!!![Automated by GetSmile]

[SuzeOFan]

They're good for the soul ...or a rainy day!

[Gruntina]

I am currently working two good jobs and making more money than I have ever...... but I chose to do this because my divorce has left me in incredible amount of debts and I wanted to pay it off and only have 6 months more to go and I will be finally debt free.....

I can not say I am happy making this extra money but I can not complain of being unhappy when I should be most grateful that I have the means and the way to pay off my debts. I would not have anything to show for the higher income I am bringing home because anything extra just goes to paying off the debts. I will be quitting the second Job when I pay off the debts to have more quality time with my friends and family and a more peaceful lifestyle. I just have to keep in mind that the extra money I am earning now is allowing me to have a more peaceful daily life in the near future.

[lrjohnson]

Originally Posted by jmjj215

Anyone read Your Money or Your Life? I've only heard great things about it and plan on picking up a copy sometime soon. Apparently its subject is right on topic w/ this thread.

Jesse! Read it! Oh, read it read it! You'll appreciate the concept of FI. You may very likely disagree with the investing that he does, but the fundamental ideas of redefining our relationship with work, and money, are just great.

I'm not sure you'll learn a whole lot that's new for you, but yes, read it!

If you don't get a copy from Amazon or the library by Christmas I'll be forced to get you a (used) copy.

Originally Posted by jmjj215

Anyone read Your Money or Your Life? I've only heard great things about it and plan on picking up a copy sometime soon. Apparently its subject is right on topic w/ this thread.

Jesse, if the book interests you, the simple living network website (http://www.simpleliving.net/) uses that book as part of its foundation. There's considerable discussion about it in their forums.