People who say money can't buy happiness don't know what they're talking about

HeadPig

People who say money can't buy happiness don't know what they're talking about. I agree that material goods don't make a person happy, but that's what people seem to associate money with. A new car will make you happy for a few days or weeks until the novelty wears away and your happiness returns to its original level, or perhaps even lower if the car doesn't live up to expectations.

Money, to me, is the ability to pack it all in and get out when you need a break. It's freedom. There are millions of people around the world in dead-end jobs who would love to throw off the shirt and tie, get on a plane and go somewhere off the beaten track but they can't because they can't finance themselves without the job. If you have enough money you can do almost anything, but obviously not everyone is fortunate enough to be in that scenario. I just hate when people dismiss money as something that won't make anyone happy or assume it will ruin people's lives. These people are largely jealous.

Nodferatu

i respect your opinion OP, but don't agree, have you ever suffered depression? do you currently suffer from social anxiety? money isn't the be all and end all. (this is my opinion only and im probably the minority as per usual) doesn't matter how many millions i have it wont take away the emptiness in my heart, it wont make my anxiety's go away or lift the cloud of depression, i agree to a certain extent money CAN make you happy buying a new item of clothing, a holiday or a new car but it cannot fix a broken heart, or take away pain or suffering you feel inside. it just throws a blanket over it, like a plaster over cancer

HeadPig

Nodferatu wrote: »

i respect your opinion OP, but don't agree, have you ever suffered depression? do you currently suffer from social anxiety? money isn't the be all and end all. doesn't matter how many millions i have it wont take away the emptiness in my heart, it wont make my anxiety's go away or lift the cloud of depression, i agree to a certain extent money CAN make you happy buying a new item of clothing, a holiday or a new car but it cannot fix a broken heart, or take away pain or suffering you feel inside. it just throws a blanket over it, like a plaster over cancer

Money can't fix a broken heart, or give you a social life, I agree. On the flipside, it doesn't make these problems any worse and probably increases your chances of solving them. Depression - enough money to see a psychiatrist regularly. Forever alone - if you're rich enough, there are always gold diggers out there; not a very pleasing prospect, but more pleasing than being alone.

KINGVictor

HeadPig wrote: »

People who say money can't buy happiness don't know what they're talking about. I agree that material goods don't make a person happy, but that's what people seem to associate money with. A new car will make you happy for a few days or weeks until the novelty wears away and your happiness returns to its original level, or perhaps even lower if the car doesn't live up to expectations.

Money, to me, is the ability to pack it all in and get out when you need a break. It's freedom. There are millions of people around the world in dead-end jobs who would love to throw off the shirt and tie, get on a plane and go somewhere off the beaten track but they can't because they can't finance themselves without the job. If you have enough money you can do almost anything, but obviously not everyone is fortunate enough to be in that scenario. I just hate when people dismiss money as something that won't make anyone happy or assume it will ruin people's lives. These people are largely jealous.

Money is good to have, no doubt about it but you have consider lots of other variables to be happy, for instance consider the guy (Steve Jobs) below:


steve-jobs-photos.jpg

He is one of the richest men in the world worth billions of dollars, at the moment I think he would trade most of that money for good health.

Dwellingdweller

Tell that to Buddhist masters who are perfectly content without a penny to their pockets.

Sounds to me like you're angsty, even somewhat resentful of money in some bizarre way, OP. Reading your post has the effect of a soapbox preacher, screaming 'look! I have money! And you don't! You're jealous of me, aren't you! I am happy! So happy'... And freedom? Freedom is for free-it's all in your mind. Think of the Hamlet quote.
"I could count myself a master of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams."
I hope you're happy OP. I honestly do. Because a fat wad of currency in your pockets ain't gona do it. You have to do it for yourself.

Saila

so what you're saying is people have told you this and this is your retort
money wont make you happy OP

HeadPig

Dwellingdweller wrote: »

Tell that to Buddhist masters who are perfectly content without a penny to their pockets.

Sounds to me like you're angsty, even somewhat resentful of money in some bizarre way, OP. Reading your post has the effect of a soapbox preacher, screaming 'look! I have money! And you don't! You're jealous of me, aren't you! I am happy! So happy'... And freedom? Freedom is for free-it's all in your mind. Think of the Hamlet quote.
"I could count myself a master of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams."
I hope you're happy OP. I honestly do. Because a fat wad of currency in your pockets ain't gona do it. You have to do it for yourself.

I don't have any money.

My name is URL

meh, happiness comes from within, and is utterly subjective. Of course having money can make life easier and open up a whole world of opportunities but it doesn't necessarily make you a happier person at all.

HeadPig

My name is URL wrote: »

meh, happiness comes from within, and is utterly subjective. Of course having money can make life easier and open up a whole world of opportunities but it doesn't necessarily make you a happier person at all.

I agree that happiness comes largely from within.

Oranage2

Like how much money are you talking about?

It's like #maslows theory - no matter what, there's always another step in the ladder - yoiu think having a big house and car will make you happy - you'll then think having castle and aeroplane will make you hasppier and it never ends.


Also I've traveled a lot a the poor people seem very happy, all they worry about is feeding their family and they're estatic when they go to school.

Us westerners dont worry about food or education but we do worry about car loans and job security.

Dwellingdweller

HeadPig wrote: »

I don't have any money.

Then it's even more relevant. look up Vipassana buddhism, and "The Power Of Silence" on youtube, all the talks given by said monk are brilliant!

8888

I agree that money does not buy you happiness but in fairness, i'd rather be rich and unhappy than poor and unhappy

Saila

Dwellingdweller wrote: »

Then it's even more relevant. look up Vipassana buddhism, and "The Power Of Silence" on youtube, all the talks given by said monk are brilliant!

this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adQhghis5X

makes a powerfull point alright

dx22

Money won't make a person happy...
However, no money can cause a person to be unhappy

Money might not bring you happiness, but Id rather cry in a Ferrari than a Fiat punto.



Ive had money, wish I had it back. (hindsight and all...):rolleyes:;)

Priori

I like this quote:

"A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart."

~ Jonathan Swift

Saila

Saila wrote: »

this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adQhghis5X

makes a powerfull point alright

Sure monks dont have a shillin, how would they know the difference?? LOL

nottherealdeal

OP, I agree with you. While not directly buying you happiness it make life that bit easier therefore indirectly making you happier

I remember reading an interview with that TV presenter Dermot O'LEary before and he said to never underestimate the power of money and it's ability to buy you freedom, nice things and security. It was so refreshing for a rich person in the limelight to say that!

It really grinds my gears when you see these rich celebreties saying money isn't everything and saying that money doesn't drive them... but it's very easy to say that when you had millions in the bank and have no financial worries!

Eric Cartman

money can definitley buy you happiness

id be happier if i had a bentley
id be happier with a few pills and a 50 bag
id be happier with another box of smokes

my logic is infallible

coffeelover

I don't agree with you OP. Money can't buy a social life, friends etc.. I'd rather be happy than have money.

Eric Cartman

coffeelover wrote: »

I don't agree with you OP. Money can't buy a social life, friends etc.. I'd rather be happy than have money.

do you honestly think people hang around with the likes of russel brand or paris hilton for their intellectual abilities or riveting conversation - money definitley can buy you a social life, as long as your buying pints or cocaine

NomdePlume

Have heard that it's not really being 'rich' that makes a person happy, but their wealth in relation to that of their neighbours.

If you earn about the same or more than your neighbours, you're more likely to be happy. If you earn much less than them, even if it's enough to be financially comfortable, you're likely to be less happy.

RichieC

Depends on your personal values. some people need money to stave off being miserable.

ger vallely

I'm in a very happy marriage, 2 beautiful daughters and I have my health(other than this darn cold)but I do think I might be genuinely happily content if I didn't have mortgage, car insurance, car tax, school books,uniform, utility bill worries on my mind every single day. I do think money can certainly add to a life of ease and less stress. I see my husband get up at 5.30 a.m every morning to do a 12 hour shift and still we have these real money worries. (I work too by the way,I don't just watch and turn over!)So yes, money can by you happiness, maybe it doesn't in every case but used wisely I'm pretty sure it can.

RichieC

Eric Cartman wrote: »

do you honestly think people hang around with the likes of russel brand or paris hilton for their intellectual abilities or riveting conversation -

Russel brand is smarter than you.

Eric Cartman

RichieC wrote: »

Russel brand is smarter than you.

while i dont know him personally, you dont know me personally either, i would still wager that you are incorrect though

cson

Watched a programme on Sky 1 [I know, not exactly the most intellectual of resources] on something like this where they tracked the happiness of Lotto winners in the UK as part of a study; end result = the more you have the more you want. After the initial burst of happiness after winning it and buying everything you want, you end up wanting bigger and better stuff.

J_E

There was this woman I got to know in a rehab centre and she was rather well off as she was left with a large inheritance. She had spent her days buying property and cars, schmoozing with Bono in fancy sushi bars, and generally had a life most would consider to be plush. However, because she had everything on tap, there was really no challenge or excitement in her life, and she started taking drugs, moving onto hard drugs and paying the price.

Similarly, I know the son of a jewellery shop, and he doesn't know what to do with himself. He goes through phases of stuff, sports, music, parkour. When he decided he was into music he got a 2500 euro guitar and a recording kit and all that, then realised it was boring and moved on.

I've just learned that in a way, if you have so much money that everything is easy to achieve, you haven't got a lot to aspire to and life tend to get boring fast. I definitely don't think money necessarily leads to happiness.

Money goes a looooooong way towards making your life easier and thus making you happier. I often hear stuff like 'money can't buy you health', no it can't, but it's a hell of a lot easier when you can afford not to work, to see the best specialists, buy the most expensive medication, than when you're struggling through long days at work, not able to take time off to go to the doctor and not able to afford prescription costs.

I also agree about the freedom. Someone with money can basically do anything they want. I can see how too much money could be a bad thing but the benefits outweigh the negatives, IMO.

Capt'n Midnight

HeadPig wrote: »

Money, to me, is the ability to pack it all in and get out when you need a break. It's freedom.

Wasn't it Bob Geldof who reckoned that what you need is "Fúck you money".

That's where someone tries to make you a proposition you can't refuse because they think you need the money and you have just enough to say to them "Fúck you"



The other thing that is important is to have enough.

Our current financial woes are because a small number of people didn't have enough (and never could because they were keeping score instead actually enjoying it)

Captain Darling

Nodferatu wrote: »

i respect your opinion OP, but don't agree, have you ever suffered depression? do you currently suffer from social anxiety? money isn't the be all and end all. (this is my opinion only and im probably the minority as per usual) doesn't matter how many millions i have it wont take away the emptiness in my heart, it wont make my anxiety's go away or lift the cloud of depression, i agree to a certain extent money CAN make you happy buying a new item of clothing, a holiday or a new car but it cannot fix a broken heart, or take away pain or suffering you feel inside. it just throws a blanket over it, like a plaster over cancer

Well said.

Liam Byrne

HeadPig wrote: »

Forever alone - if you're rich enough, there are always gold diggers out there; not a very pleasing prospect, but more pleasing than being alone.

You have GOT to be joking ?

There must be nothing more soul-destroying than being - supposedly - "liked" for what you have, rather than who you are.

Thankfully, I wouldn't know, mind.

ArtSmart

Priori wrote: »

I like this quote:

"A wise man should have money in his head, but not in his heart."

~ Jonathan Swift

xactly. the bauld Johnny.

Far as i know even the Buddhists believe you need a reasonable income, before you can do the 'enlightenment thingy'. (monks are provided for)


anyway, it's simples.

money is the world's most powerful tool.

in intelligent hands, yippee. it can educate, enlighten, give space and time, improve health etc etc.

in the hands of a fool = disaster.

so, as tools go, money is de best. by a long shot.

Eve_Dublin

I dunno, for me it's a case of not knowing any better. I've always been "broke" or what others would consider broke and I can't see that changing in the near or distant future and I'm happy as larry. I've no idea how great it is to ride in a Ferrari or eat Cavier or wear a Dolce and Gabanna dress because I never have so to crave something I never had in the first place seems impossible to me. I'm only going on what I observe. Rich people or at least the ones in the public eye seem like a very confused, lost bunch and I've no desire to be like them. I've enough and I don't want more, thanks.

.same.

Anybody you finds that having money is making them unhappy please send me a pm as i'm sure i can help you out:)

ilovesleep

Money can indeed buy you happiness. Have you priced mini convertibles - the best looking car ever. I want one in yellow or pink.

Lando Griffin

Well if the public sector get anymore paycuts they will be very unhappy about that, going on strike a giving us all grief, so if they had less cuts and more money they wolud be happy. Pure and simple.
I am not in the public sector, nor am I trying to provoke the private sector nor do I have alot of money or alot, if any debt but I am happy to be able to do all the things that bring happiness, work, rest and play. End off.

dark crystal

Money can certainly buy you happiness in many forms.

It can free you from all those money worries we all have day in and day out, week in and week out, year in and year out. They're gone!

It can buy you the best doctors, psychiatrists and healthcare. Money doesn't make you any healthier than you be without it, but we're none of us going to live forever anyhow and at least you get the peace of mind knowing you didn't have to wait any longer or suffer any more than you had to, simply because you couldn't afford the finest care available.

Stressed parents could afford nannies and cleaners, for that extra bit of 'me' time they scarcely seem able to get.
They could send their children to the finest schools and colleges, allow them to see the world and see that their extended families would never want for anything.

You could happily give money to charities and deserving causes, which would make you feel better for having done so.


There are so many ways in which money could make you that bit happier. Those who say otherwise are kidding themselves.

If you are, by nature, reckless with money, a miserable git or a general dic*head, money won't change that. Having money doesn't make you a bad person - you have to be a bad person already to fall into that trap.

Snakeblood

Liam Byrne wrote: »

You have GOT to be joking ?

There must be nothing more soul-destroying than being - supposedly - "liked" for what you have, rather than who you are.

Thankfully, I wouldn't know, mind.

There's not being liked for any reason, which would be profoundly dispiriting, I assume.

bnt

Perhaps money can't buy happiness directly, but it can certainly "buy out" the causes of unhappiness. You still have to get over the last hurdle yourself, but money can lighten the load you carry as you seek happiness. In my opinion, of course.

SeanW

Obviously a lack of money can make you miserable, if you cannot reliably provide your basic needs (food, shelter, medical etc) but there is a limit.

I'm pretty sure that if I had a lot of stuff - Ferraris, gold chains, trophy girlfriends etc, I would be happier only for a short time as eventually the "new" would wear off it all and it would become the new "normal."

Look at the celebrities - living in mansions in California having everything they could ever want, but half of them are leading sordid personal lives and the other half are in and out of rehab for drugs, alcoholism and who knows what else!

I have read - and I believe it to be true - that if one intends to use money to buy happiness that they should do so by way of holidays and enjoyable experiences, as these will create positive memories lasting much longer than the holiday itself - and much longer than some new physical trinket.

So in short - yes, money can buy happiness - BUT only to a point. The rest depends on your frame of mind (perhaps Buddhist thinking might help with that?) and your state of health.

Dudess

That phrase refers to immense wealth rather than just money - and no, that can't buy happiness for many (for some it can I've no doubt).

Little Acorn

If you are suffering from depression or a broken heart as somebody else mentioned, then no..money probably won't make you instantly happy.

If however you are just in a regular frame of mind, happy enough with life but in a situation where some new found wealth would seriously rid you of some of your stress, then I think that yes money would definitely add some extra happiness to your life.

So it might not make you happy, but I believe that it could make you happier.

If I could get rid of the strain of my own debts and my boyfriend's and my families debts, and I could buy/build a lovely house in a safer area for my mum and brother to live in, then that would really be a huge weight of my shoulders/mind.

If I could afford to build my own dream home, buy some things that I always wanted, and afford to travel to all the places in the world I want to visit, then this would also make me even happier. I would see these things as not absolutely necessary for happiness, just "bonuses" of wealth that I would thoroughly enjoy and appreciate.

Another "bonus" [but not an absolute necessity for happiness in life], would be having the ability to spend some money on people I love like my nephews, other family, boyfriend and friends. If I had huge wealth, I could do all these things and give the rest away. I would enjoy giving a lot to my local area like the rape crisis center, places that hold counselling and AA/NA/GA groups, local youth clubs and schools, local hospitals , barnardos etc.
Volunteering is helpful, but I would like to also be able to give them some much needed hard cash.

So I'm already happy, and know I can be very happy without wealth, but I really do believe that money would make me even happier. [Especially regarding the more serious money worries]
I don't think many people would turn down big lotto money if they won!:)

Priori

ArtSmart wrote:

so, as tools go, money is de best. by a long shot.

Yep, and like any tool, the bad worker will often blame his unhappiness on it (I'm talking about those mega-wealthy people who claim their unfathomable riches are a source of discontent).

walshb

HeadPig wrote: »

People who say money can't buy happiness don't know what they're talking about. I agree that material goods don't make a person happy,

How do you know?

Maybe it can't make some people happy. Happy is a concept that is
unique to each and every person. You cannot determine it or solve it or equate it.

As for money making people happy, again, anyone claiming it can or can't is inaccurate. It is all down to that person, whether he/she allows it, how they behave and react and live.

Me, I live for the big win, and I am quite confident that it could do a whole lot to at least try and make me happy, or happier.

Bottom line: Most people spend a lot of their lives wanting more money, not to be greedy, but
to get by easier in life. They stress and worry and think about it a whole lot. Now, give it to them, and suddenly all that stress and worrying and thinking about it CAN fade and disappear.
That in itself has to be positive. Imagine a world where you now no longer have to worry about paying a single bill ever? C'mon, that has to be something that could make you happier.

Agricola

Its a expression used by the vast majority of the population, ie the paupers, in order to make themselves feel better about the fact that they havent an arse in their trousers.
Nobody on this earth would choose a life of compulsory work to make a living over a life of voluntary work to keep yourself active or indeed a life of doing fúck all if you so choose.
Of course wealth cant buy you a commodity called happiness which comes in a bottle, but I like to test out the life and see how I get on with it. Pretty well Id imagine.

walshb

Agricola wrote: »

Its a expression used by the vast majority of the population, ie the paupers, in order to make themselves feel better about the fact that they havent an arse in their trousers.
Nobody on this earth would choose a life of compulsory work to make a living over a life of voluntary work to keep yourself active or indeed a life of doing fúck all if you so choose.
Of course wealth cant buy you a commodity called happiness which comes in a bottle, but I like to test out the life and see how I get on with it. Pretty well Id imagine.

Well said

I could never understand folks who spend a lot of their time moaning about having to work, and then they turn and say, "oh, I'd probably still work if I won the lotto because I'd get bored." No, boring people get bored, end of!

!MAVERICK!

Money and someone to share it with makes you happy.

walshb

!MAVERICK! wrote: »

Money and someone to share it with makes you happy.

Absolutely. A big thrill I would get is spending money on folks and making them smile. That in itself would be a huge kick.

Never go this attitude: My kids will work for their money. I am not spoling them?
What use is being in this world if you cannot make people happier, or spoil
them from time to time? Also, what is spoiling about ensuring your offspring
never have to worry about paying a bill? I wouldn't at all call that spoiling.

walshb

walshb wrote: »

Absolutely. A big thrill I would get is spending money on folks and making them smile. That in itself would be a huge kick.

Never go this attitude: My kids will work for their money. I am not spoling them?
What use is being in this world if you cannot make people happier, or spoil
them from time to time? Also, what is spoiling about ensuring your offspring
never have to worry about paying a bill? I wouldn't at all call that spoiling.

It is spoiling. I know plenty of rich kids and none of them are very nice people. If you've never worked a day in your life, it's hard to understand what it's like to work in a low-paid or service job. Hence you treat those people like ****. It's also hard to have any ambition if you're handed everything on a plate. Don't like your job? Just quit. Don't like your college course? Just drop out. It's just not good for your character to never have any kind of responsibility. And these people never seem very happy either, because they don't appreciate any of it.

If I were rich, I'd definitely make my kids work for their money. They'd have plenty of nice things, but I'd want them to understand the value of money.

Yahew

Money wont make you happy, but poverty will make you miserable.