Does happiness increase as your money increases?

[QuarterMillionMan]

When it comes to money, happiness isn't actually the result of getting money, but of giving it.

[disneysteve]

Various studies over the years have shown that happiness does increase as income increases but only to a point. I think the number years ago was 75K but that may have been updated in more recent studies. Basically, once you have all of your needs and some of your wants met, earning more doesn't make you more happy. Having enough makes people happy; having more doesn't change that.

[ua_guy]

Well, as they say, it's more comfortable to cry in a Mercedes Benz than it is on a bicycle. I think a piece of happiness is having fundamental needs met, only some of which can be helped by money. Also, being free from financial stress and obligation, long term. The rest, true to the saying, is an inside job..

[bjl584]

Maybe not happiness so much but more peace of mind and lack of stress.
If you are sitting on a pile of assets and don't have debt, then not much can happen to you financially that you can't easily handle.
The previous is way better than living paycheck to paycheck and having the car break down.

[kork13]

Maybe not happiness so much but more peace of mind and lack of stress.
If you are sitting on a pile of assets and don't have debt, then not much can happen to you financially that you can't easily handle.
The previous is way better than living paycheck to paycheck and having the car break down.

100% agree. Perhaps it's an indirect effect, but I've definitely been less stressed & more comfortable & arguably happier long beyond my income growing above $75k, or maybe even $150k. I've been able to pay for more vacations, visit family & friends, provide unique & important opportunities for our kids, offload jobs I hate doing to folks happy to handle them, pay off 2 homes, prepare for a comfortable retirement, and we get to be generous with causes we care about.

I think it's not really about the dollar amount that makes a difference ... It's what you do with it, and if you're able to use it with meaning & purpose. I'd argue that's why people can be perfectly happy with a minimal income, and miserable with an enormous income.

[myrdale]

When it comes to money, happiness isn't actually the result of getting money, but of giving it.

I disagree with your fortune cookie.

It puts a smile on my face every time I receive a paycheck. People who win the lottery are ecstatic. Finding $20 in a parking lot always makes me grin.

When you do the calculations of how much money you "give" the government, that doesn't make me happy. Watching other people discuss having to support their grown kids or relatives doesn't appear to make them happy.

There are plenty of preachers who will gladly tell you how happy giving your money away will make you.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Ok fair point about having to pay big government or support relatives, etc. I was thinking more along the lines of kork's point about using it for meaningful purposes.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I'm also thinking in the macro sense of the big picture and not micro in the grand scheme of things. I am insignifcant but if I can help others it makes it so much more worth-while.

[Saakasports]

More money can definitely make things easier, but I've found that true happiness often comes from giving back and spending on experiences rather than just stacking up cash.