26 replies to this topic

[Oriole85]

I think the common cliche, "money doesn't buy happiness" is very complicated. On one hand, grumpy/miserable people will likely still be that way regardless of their economic situation. I don't think you exactly change as a person because you accumulate more money.

 

The big thing to me about money is it gives you independence and security that's not to say, you'll be happy, just have less worries -- doesn't guarantee good health by any measure. However, you aren't going to be able to take that European vacation, buy that fancy car, or go out for gourmet meals on a regular basis without accumulating a substantial amount of money. And these types of things can improve your quality of life.

 

So yes in many ways, money can "buy" happiness.

[Mike in STL]

If I had more money, I would be happier. Depends on the person I guess. There are a lot of rich crumugeons out there.

[Markus]

Looks like it does to me:

 

 

[McNulty]

What the hell is this. Stop posting this crap.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Money buys McNulty's mom and Coors Light. 

 

McNulty's mom and Coors Light make me happy.

 

So money buys happiness?

 

What mathematical property is that?

[McNulty]

Money buys McNulty's mom and Coors Light. 

 

McNulty's mom and Coors Light make me happy.

 

So money buys happiness?

 

What mathematical property is that?

 

Transient slut property.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Money buys happiness for people with the propensity to be happy. I think a ton of people aren't capable of ever being happy though, and that'd be the case with a penny to their name or a hundred million.

[McNulty]

Jokes aside, its pretty simple.  Money can provide happiness if you aren't basing your measure of happiness off of it.  If you value your looks, you'll never be attractive enough, etc.  

 

For me, if I had money, I could quit my job which would be the greatest thing that could ever happen.

[NewMarketSean]

A lot of people who are rich are driven by the need to make money, so they usually are never happy because they always want more. That is where "money doesn't buy happiness" comes from IMO. That and "Mo money, mo problems."

 

I think for the common person who vacations once a year or just enjoys a beer after a hard's day work, money would buy happiness.  I know it would for me.

[Oriole85]

If I had more money, I would be happier. Depends on the person I guess. There are a lot of rich crumugeons out there.

Agree here, I'm just tired of the cliche. I think there's some truth to it, but if you have less worries, you're probably going to be happier. And let's face it, money matters in terms of social status. Just as example, someone I went to high school with wasn't exactly the most popular guy. He made a fortune and suddenly everyone wants to rub elbows with him.

[Nigel Tufnel]

suddenly everyone wants to rub elbows with him.

 

Is that what they're calling it these days?

[Dupin]

If I had money, I'd be able to move out of my parents house.  That would make me extremely happy.

[DJ MC]

If I had "money"--say I win $100 million in the MegaMillions--it wouldn't be able to make me happy by itself. I could buy cars and books and throw money at women and whatever else, but that's not what would make me happy.

 

What would make me happy is suddenly having the weight of financial worry lifted. Being able to pay off my debts. Supporting myself entirely and paying back my parents for years of helping when they haven't had any reason to do so. Not having to think about my job as part-time and seasonal and dead-end and just enjoying it for what it is: the best job in the world. Having the means to travel essentially whenever and wherever I wanted. Being able to support a family at some point in the future. And, of course, buying a LOT of books.

 

That's where money buys happiness.

[Don Quixote]

It doesn't do it all, but it sure as hell helps.

[Oriole85]

It doesn't do it all, but it sure as hell helps.

Short but probably the best answer; however, like Mike said above, it applies to different people, different ways.

[SammyBirdland]

It's a bell curve.  There's a certain level where lack of money leads directly to unhappiness (stress, poverty, stuck in the rat race just trying to break even, etc).   Then there is a curve where having enough money counteracts the unhappiness that would be had if you didn't have enough money.   After that is the downward slope where you can't use lack of money as your excuse for being unhappy.

[Dupin]

A bell curve is a decent visualization. I think the law of diminishing returns applies to money, which is why the rampant greed in the world disgusts me.

[Markus]

[Oriole85]

Some really good responses here.

 

I'll add this, I do think once you are in a "better situation," you want more -- it's hard to ever be completely satisfied. While we might not agree on the "value" of money in terms of happiness, I think we can all agree it's relevant.

[BobPhelan]

All I know is it can't buy me love.