by INFORUM
Money buys happiness, to a point
September 6, 2010 at 7:00 pm in INFORUM
WASHINGTON They say money can’t buy happiness. They’re wrong.
At least up to a point. Continue Reading
Money buys happiness, to a point
35 Comments
I just wanted to comment that the poll “Can money buy happiness?” is a bit of a false-dichotomy. More money would make most people happier (so I answered “yes”), but it’s certainly not the only thing that would do so.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Marlon Brando – “Never confuse the size of your paycheck with the size of your talent”.
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Money can also buy a money pit, this makes you unhappy
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If you believe money can’t buy happiness, feel free to give me your money, and I’ll do a study to see if it can.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
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money is not the root to all evil, its the love of money !
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Wrong it’s the greed for money thats the root of evil.
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Money or not, dysfunctional people will still engage in being dysfunctional.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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The only thing nobody has mentioned about this study is whether or not household income counts or if this is 75k per person, regardless of marital status.
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If people would save money they would be happy
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Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
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Yes it is. It enables most to control their own lives!
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A lack of money can lead to stress (duh), so having additional money will raise your feeling of well being. It is a nice feeling to be able to walk into the grocery store and not worry at all about the cost of the food you are purchasing for your family. I can understand where there would be a lot more stress in a person’s life if they had to feed their children mac and cheese and spam every night because good food is too expensive.
I am not sure that I agree that having more than $75K will have diminishing returns in happiness. At some point additional money won’t mean anything but I would think it is higher than $75K.
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Those who say money can’t buy happiness don’t know where to shop.
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It may not buy happiness, but it sure buys a better class of misery. . .
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Oh for pete’s sake–what’s not to like . . . ? that’s a hilarious wisecrack. Lighten up.
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Everyone needs to try Dave Ramseys 8 steps to debt free…Live now like no one, so that you can live later like no one.. SAVE YOUR MONEY PEOPLE.
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Do credit cards buy happiness?? For most americans yes
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Or, those who say money can’t buy happiness aren’t speaking from experience.
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Money can sure buy freedom from many worries, that would sure make me happy!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Last time I checked poverty doesn’t buy it either.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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That makes perfect sense with the $75,000. figure… because although most of us would not be opposed to having more… most people could live plenty happy lives within the means at that figure. With the current prices of housing, groceries, fuel ect. people making under that amount are in a constant state of stress.. hence decreasing their overall happiness. This is especially true for families.. just trying to pay the morgage or rent.. pay the bills.. household needs.. clothes and still being able to buy enough groceries to provide healthy meals (unhealthy processed foods are cheaper than fresh produce and meats) then on top of all the monthly things we pay.. we have to worry about being prepared for medical attention if someone gets sick or something unexpected happens.. let alone thinking about building a savings for retirement. Yeah.. pretty easy to get stressed when life is a daily struggle to try and budget all these things.. and oh boy if something comes up you get behind! I know if I had that amount to work with- just that little bit extra would make things a lot easier and I wouldn’t be stressed nearly as often as I am now..
Another hit to the gut- xmas season is right around the corner!! AHHHHH!!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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That’s true, it won’t buy happiness. But it will literally take care of every thing else that could possibly cause unhappiness.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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People who make more than $75K usually have more responsibilities and stress in their careers, not to mention the work and dedication that went into getting to that point. That largely offsets the happiness money can buy.
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I find great interest in this comment:
“People who make more than $75K usually have more responsibilities and stress in their careers, not to mention the work and dedication that went into getting to that point. That largely offsets the happiness money can buy.”
True that when one garners a 75K salary they have stress in their lives HOWEVER try being the single mother that by circumstances keeps her in a position where she has to work 2 part time jobs that each only pay $9 an hour and barely makes ends meet. SHe is dedicated to keeping these jobs and she is also dedicated to making sure her children are fed, clothed, housed, entertained, schooled and loved. What are the responsibilities that she faces in her life and what is the compensation she receives? What kinds of stresses does she face in her job(s)… maybe more than the person that makes the 75K? This is not just the single Mother or an attempt to pull on the heart strings it is merely an example becasue there are pleanty of Father’s out there doing this too who are also severly stressed by life’s demands.
Now as far as the sacrifice and dedication to get there… don’t fool yourself there are many people out there that sacrificed and dedicated themselves to their jobs day in and day out and never have made a 75k salary. Life sometimes is dependant upon luck and certain breaks along the way that don’t fall in the path of some individuals lives. We should all be rewarded for a job well done however life does not always afford this luxury.
Life’s stress is relevant and I know that we all face stress in our lives and unfortunately the real stresses (that truly matter IMHO) occur outside of the walls of our jobs. Inside the walls of our jobs our stresses are all primarily the same they just take on different faces and different names such as deadlines, clients, customers, contracts, promotions, profits, losses, etc.. However, it is when we go home and have our bills to pay and have to tell our children that they can not do certain things because Mom and Dad (or the equivalent of this) can’t afford it this month or ever that the true stress of life comes into focus. It is the impending stress of when an unexpected illness or serious injury takes us by surprise and demands we pay for a bill that we can’t afford because we can barely pay our rent. THAT is the real “stress” in life and IMHO real stress has nothing to do with what our position is at work because once again no matter what our title we all share professional stress.
Also, if the stress is too high in the high caliber 75k+ job there are many lower paying jobs that have less “stress” for the individual. However, when a person that makes this kind of money visions giving up their job they start to see the stress of poverty and inability to make ends meet.
Be thankful for the 75K position if you are fortunate to have one.
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There are exceptions of course, I’m just making a generalization as an explanation of the results of the research.
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Very well said. Your children are very fortunate to have you for a parent.
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Perhaps it is well stated but it makes assumptions about me and my post while ignoring what the article I am responding to actually says. In other words, it’s off topic. Which is understandable if he was just reading the comments and not the article.
Nobody has said that people making more than $75K have more stress than those at the poverty level. The research indicates that happiness does indeed increase as expected as you make more money but with the exception that at the $75K income level it levels out.
I stated my opinion in why this may be true but it’s obvious from all the thumbs down that people didn’t take it in context. Another factor may be that people at that income level tend to be further along in their careers (older) and less optimistic about their lives. I don’t know, I’m just speculating.
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People just need to live within your means. This doenst matter if you make 75K or 30 K
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Well, I’m rich and I’m very happy! Just look at my fancy moustache! My gold monacle and even my big teeth are a sign of wealth. I win at life! With my top hat and walking stick, I look like Mr. Peanut. Who isn’t happy when they see Mr. Peanut? Thus: Wealth = Happiness. Case and Point!
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Iam completely debt free , after 2 years of hunkering down. This is true happiness
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Most people are miserable because they are in debt
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Money can buy you financial freedom and all the material things you want or need. But for happiness you’re on your own.
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I agree that concerning household income, there is a point where the basics are paid and at that point you can re-focus on things that aren’t necessary but add value to your life. That dollar figure is different depending upon where you live geographically and your idea of what basic survival means. Earning money gives self worth….getting it for free is bad…ie: lottery, inheritance etc. You can kill yourself working, stash it all away for a rainy day and be killed in a car accident this afternoon (as we see on the local news every couple of days) and you will have gotten nothing for your effort. Remember….money is only a tool, placed here to help you enjoy life, not to cause you to suffer. You CAN take it with you, but I doubt it will do you any good where you are going.
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Money can’t make you happy. Sniffing airplane glue will!
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