How Much Money Will Make You Happy?

[jeffrey]

An interesting story in USAToday.com about money and happiness that is worth the read if you have time:

<A HREF="http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2004-12-26-money-happiness_x.htm">How much would make you smile?</A>

[crosses]

I don't think that more money would make me happier, but it would make some instances a lot easier.

[henrybemis]

The article was incredibly stupid. It seems as if the media chattering classes have writen themselves out of reality. The only comparison they could come up with, the only 'norming' comparison asked about a person who makes $150,000 and a multifilionaire. It seems as if someone forgot that the average US household makes around 30,000 a year. That's millions of people. Only a few of us make 150,000 a year. Why not use that as a means.
Henry Bemis

[terry1156]

Are you saying that more money will make the average $30,000 a year wage earner happy? I don't think the article was supposed to be a scholarly dissertation or paper. While money can buy some ease of mind, time to do things you enjoy, it doesn't buy happiness.

[amomof4]

I don't need any more money. The only debt I have is my mortage and car payment. The car will be paid off in May or June 2005. I alread spend less than I make, so I'm happy.

[akaivyleaf]

I think the point of the article is that money does not equate to happiness. Having money to sustain you and your family is all that is required and if you can get in the sweet spot of spending and enjoying life on LESS than you make, you've discovered a key component to living a fulfilled life. Not necessarily happiness.

[2moretrees]

Money can help in a lot of areas. It can buy good medical care and extend your life in certain instances. But in the end, it won't, in itself, bring happiness.

[tag61usa]

Hi, I'm new here and it's a question that I have been unable to answer.

My hub & I started on this mtg debt-free quest several years ago. I always wondered how people managed on a relatively small income and kids to raise.

We've had a huge discussion about the sacrifices we have had to make in order to make our dreams a reality.

This year we hope to accomplish our goal. We still struggle month to month.

I think it's not the amount of money you have, but maybe a sense of comfort in your future and your own self-happiness that will make a difference.

I hope to learn more from this site. We want to save and have some new-found fun together.

Tag

[terry1156]

Originally Posted by tag61usa

Hi, I'm new here and it's a question that I have been unable to answer.

It's always good to see new members here. Welcome!

[miclason]

I think that the only time when money does equal happiness is when money IS your problem ....if your problems are not financial, money can't fix them and more money will not make you happy...help you get by easier and have less things to worry about, maybe, but not make you happy...I think that the article mentioned the 150K because, yes, people making less than that WILL get more satisfaction out of earning more (on account of having less worries and more security), but, once you reach that point, it doesn't really make such a big difference...in the end, it is up to you, some people are just never content...

[xboxundone]

I think having money can make life easier but not happier being happy is more in the way you live your life i know people that are more than happy and they live off of 20K a year and that with a kid!

[Momtwo]

We ERed early and have more than enough money to last us till we die.
That fact alone makes us very happy. Money is freedom from bosses and a schedule.