Can money buy happiness? Thought I'd get some opinions on the matter.

My 2 cents...
With money comes a lot of bullshit that you don't have living by simple means. All having money does is allow you to buy yourself fancier distractions. These things have no substance. Life was much easier and much more enjoyable before money wasn't an issue. I hate money but obligations require me to continue earning large amounts of it :(. Its not hard to make money but it is hard to be happy.

Money takes greed to a whole different level than what is in human nature (IMO). Money is one of the major (among many) things that is fundamentally wrong with the world. Fuck money.

What do you think? I run into people all the time that think money can buy happiness...what do they (or you) see in money? Am I missing something?

I enjoy good food and water. Sleeping with decently clean blankets and a pillow is nice. Clothing at this time of year in Minnesota is crucial... I wouldn't be too happy with frostbite or pneumonia. I also like brushing my teeth and taking showers with warm water.

You are missing how crappy it is to be poor. Sure, money doesn't address the basic existential questions, but the only way money won't be an issue in your life is if you have plenty of it.

Money can't buy happiness...but it sure makes misery a lot more tolerable. :)

I've been poor - no heat, no running water, no parental figure. Just 4 boys under 13 running wild in a torn up run down house.

Its not crappy to be poor. I was homeless for a year. It doesn't take much money to provide for a single persons basic needs. If you find a quarter on the ground, you only need 3 more to make a dollar. Now you got food for a week. I've been there, and its not that bad. Definitely not miserable. Actually less so than now that I have money.

Riiiiiiight. My friend lives with a damaged jaw and teeth falling out because he cannot afford dental care. My other friend lost his job and was so desperate he joined the Army, which may very well lead to his death. Money is the most important thing in this society. If you have money, and are still miserable, there is no excuse.

Riiiiiiight. My friend lives with a damaged jaw and teeth falling out because he cannot afford dental care. My other friend lost his job and was so desperate he joined the Army, which may very well lead to his death. Money is the most important thing in this society. If you have money, and are still miserable, there is no excuse.

Beyond providing for your basic needs, money is not necessary. And it doesnt take much money for a single person to do that. And it definitely is not necessary to join the army to survive, unless you have a family to feed. But yeah losing your teeth would suck, I've never been through something like that. Thats why we need universal healthcare.

Universal health care would require large sums of money.

Universal health care would require large sums of money.

Or for people to change the way they think.

Beyond providing for your basic needs, money is not necessary. And it doesnt take much money for a single person to do that. And it definitely is not necessary to join the army to survive, unless you have a family to feed. But yeah losing your teeth would suck, I've never been through something like that. Thats why we need universal healthcare.

Nonsense, people need space. If you can be happy sharing a small room with other poor people, that's fine, but I think it sucks. I don't want crappy food, I want good quality food and the facilities to prepare it.

This thread isn't exactly what I wanted it to be. I was talking about people wanting more money than they need or thinking they need more money than they need.

I've never been w/o health care (thankfully) and I've yet to be somewhere thats less desirable to live than the place I lived at as a kid (that shit was messed up). I should of been more clear at the start but I appreciate everybody's input.

How much money does a person need?

How much money does a person need?

A person honestly needs very little money (a couple dollars a week will feed you), but life like that isn't very comfortable.

Don't people find happiness in comfort? I do.

Money may not make you happy but it allows for it anyway. No money would make one miserable in this society.
Actually, a couple of millions would make me very happy lol
Then I can do what I want whenever I want. No more work.. yay !! :D

P.S. if you don't want your money anymore please send it to me..

Can money buy happiness? Thought I'd get some opinions on the matter.

My 2 cents...
With money comes a lot of bullshit that you don't have living by simple means. All having money does is allow you to buy yourself fancier distractions. These things have no substance. Life was much easier and much more enjoyable before money wasn't an issue. I hate money but obligations require me to continue earning large amounts of it :(. Its not hard to make money but it is hard to be happy.

Money takes greed to a whole different level than what is in human nature (IMO). Money is one of the major (among many) things that is fundamentally wrong with the world. Fuck money.

What do you think? I run into people all the time that think money can buy happiness...what do they (or you) see in money? Am I missing something?
Generally I agree with you. I would like to have more than the minimum, but a good ways. Then I don't have to stress over decisions. Also to have backup in case of something unforseen.
Does it make me happy? No.
Does it make the ground more fertile for happiness? yes.
But it depends who you are.
Lottery winners often, perhaps even most of the time end up worse off. They don't know how to handle the money and people begin to see them as money and not as humans.
I think you are more likely to be happy long term if the money builds up slowly or comes in monthly.

it increases the chance of being happy imo.

the worse trait of money is fame (alot of ppl with alot of money are faous) and this obviously has its own problmes.

but generally money increases ur chance of being happy.

If I had a lot of money it whould make me happy to donate to some charities, and get some loved ones back on thier feet. A lot of people who are rich are very greedy, but not all rich people are greedy.

Money would currently solve like 90% of my problems. I dont need alot of money to be happy but having a moderate amount would allow me to live a much for stress free life.

Money can't buy happiness...but it sure makes misery a lot more tolerable. :)

Haha, very well put. Kudos.

Does money buy happiness?

"No...but it will buy you a nice big yacht to pull up right beside it!" -David Lee Roth.

I see money as only a tool. I use it as such only. Having money isn't the real problem but the love of money is. Money doesn't buy happiness but it does make life a whole lot better if you use it correctly. Having enough money to but the necessities of life is very important in order to live in todays world. Having a place to live that you own, a car or transportation is very important as well. Insurances, upkeep and maintenance is always something that needs money. Food, clothing, entertainment and life's little creature comforts are also a very important thing to buy.

If you find your self with everything you need then you can use your money to buy life's better things that you'd like to have or do. Extra money comes in hand when a trip or vacation or holiday comes along. Earning money in doing something that you enjoy doing is like something that is the greatest thing that can happen. If you aren't happy with work then change your job! There's many opportunities out there just don't be afraid to change. If you find that you have allot of extra money you can always donate it to a favorite charity or hospital where you live. That will always bring you a very good feeling. Just remember that money used correctly can bring you happiness or it can destroy you if you misuse it as well.

If you can't use money to pay for the removal of misery it cannot make you happy.

There may be many resourceful means for purchasing the removal of misery, but misery is more resourceful by a long shot

;)

Sometimes money causes misery when its not used correctly like when you throw it away on gambling instead of buying food for your family.

Hell yeah money buys happiness. It can even buy love if you get a dog.

Pfft. Dogs loves anything. Abuse them and they still come back and lick your balls.

....they still come back and lick your balls.

see, you can buy happiness. :D

Pfft. Dogs loves anything. Abuse them and they still come back and lick your balls.
You really need to learn how to set boundaries.

misery and lack of money are holding hands.
sometimes misery and a lot of money hold hands, but you have to work harder to get that misery. I mean, Hell, you can just keep the shit in the bank. Or give it to the poor.

misery and lack of money are holding hands.
sometimes misery and a lot of money hold hands, but you have to work harder to get that misery. I mean, Hell, you can just keep the shit in the bank. Or give it to the poor.

Many Monks take a vow of poverty and will never take money same holds true for the Pope, he is also not allowed to have any money. So if all of these people can get by without money and they are "happy" how is it that what you state can be true?

Many Monks take a vow of poverty and will never take money same holds true for the Pope, he is also not allowed to have any money. So if all of these people can get by without money and they are "happy" how is it that what you state can be true?

Because they are blissfully drunk off their asses on sacremental wine. :p

If you have money, and are still miserable, there is no excuse.
Rubbish. Money might lead to happiness, but having it doesn't mean you will always find happiness.

OK, there might be some excuse, a loved one died, a mental disorder, genocide, bad weather...

Money can buy love too, going out is expensive.

Agree with those who said that with money you have a more fertile ground for happiness,
it gives you more power to do things that make you happy, extends possibilities on the experience of life.

With money you can buy train tickets, hiking equipment, food, tea, throw together a party, buy books, travel, do research, etc.

Agree with those who said that with money you have a more fertile ground for happiness,
it gives you more power to do things that make you happy, extends possibilities on the experience of life.

With money you can buy train tickets, hiking equipment, food, tea, throw together a party, buy books, travel, do research, etc.
On the down side, the pursuit of money generally locks people into a rigid lifestyle of narrow opportunity

for instance a lot of rich back packers simply go to different hostels (for no longer than three weeks since thats all the time they can afford to take off their job) around the world and get drunk and have sex - the fact that they might be in Madrid, Mumbai or Memphis doesn't make much difference
:shrug:

variety is the spice of life
money may be able to buy that
but the practical limitations of acquiring money doesn't allow for it
:o

J. Paul Getty: Money Quotes
Buy when everyone else is selling and hold until everyone else is buying. That's not just a catchy slogan. It's the very essence of successful investing.

Norman Vincent Peale: Money Quotes
Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.

Samuel Butler: Money Quotes
Friendship is like money, easier made than kept.

Eleanor Roosevelt: Money Quotes
He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses much more; He who loses faith, loses all.

Billy Graham: Money Quotes
If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life.

Francis Bacon: Money Quotes
If money be not thy servant, it will be thy master. The covetous man cannot so properly be said to possess wealth, as that may be said to possess him

Henry Ford: Money Quotes
If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.

Henry Ford: Money Quotes
It's not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It's the customer who pays the wages



Benjamin Franklin
He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.

Money Quote by Alexander Pope
These riches are possess'd, but not enjoy'd!

Money Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
A creative economy is the fuel of magnificence.

Money Quote by Rudyard Kipling
But he could n't lie if you paid him and he'd starve before he stole.

Money Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Can anybody remember when the times were not hard and money not scarce?

Money Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wilt thou seal up the avenues of ill? Pay every debt, as if God wrote the bill!

Money Quote by Benjamin Franklin
A man may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep his nose to the grindstone.

Money Quote by Alexander Pope
Get place and wealth, if possible, with grace; If not, by any means get wealth and place.

Money Quote by Charles Dickens
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.

WIKI

On the down side, the pursuit of money generally locks people into a rigid lifestyle of narrow opportunity

for instance a lot of rich back packers simply go to different hostels (for no longer than three weeks since thats all the time they can afford to take off their job) around the world and get drunk and have sex - the fact that they might be in Madrid, Mumbai or Memphis doesn't make much difference
:shrug:

variety is the spice of life
money may be able to buy that
but the practical limitations of acquiring money doesn't allow for it
:o

That's not a problem of money, but a problem of personality.

That's not a problem of money, but a problem of personality.
not sure what you are saying
how does personality help one evade the commitment required for acquiring money?

You yourself have to determine the line where the pursuit of happiness has turned into pursuit of money.
Money can't buy happiness, but it can help to acquire it. But as any tool it can be misused and it can turn agaisnt you. For example, an artist has turned away from creating artwork he likes, to making commercial artwork only.

The ideal solution is make money in the field that gives you happiness, for example, an artist creating artwork that he loves and getting good money for it, or an engineer, an architect, a journalist.

You yourself have to determine the line where the pursuit of happiness has turned into pursuit of money.
Money can't buy happiness, but it can help to acquire it. But as any tool it can be misused and it can turn agaisnt you. For example, an artist has turned away from creating artwork he likes, to making commercial artwork only.

The ideal solution is make money in the field that gives you happiness, for example, an artist creating artwork that he loves and getting good money for it, or an engineer, an architect, a journalist.
then happiness has a higher calling than mere money

Sure

Maybe money can not buy happiness, but sure relieves a lot of miseries. Yesterday my furnace conked out during snowstorm. I really like the fact that I was able to pick up the phone and call power company I have service agreement with (bought with money), and say "My furnace is out, please come fix it." I know just how miserable you can get without heat.

On the down side, the pursuit of money generally locks people into a rigid lifestyle of narrow opportunity

for instance a lot of rich back packers simply go to different hostels (for no longer than three weeks since thats all the time they can afford to take off their job) around the world and get drunk and have sex - the fact that they might be in Madrid, Mumbai or Memphis doesn't make much difference
:shrug:

Do you know any people like that? I do not. I know quite a lot of people who travel all over the world, and actually experience new places.

variety is the spice of life
money may be able to buy that
but the practical limitations of acquiring money doesn't allow for it
:o

Only if you are very lazy and unimaginative.

then happiness has a higher calling than mere money

Did anyone claim otherwise?

As I said, money can not BUY happiness, but it makes pursuit of happiness enormously easier. You can actually concentrate on the said pursuit instead of on the broken furnace. And some things that bring happiness to their "pursuers" (travel, skydiving, mountain climbing, raising horses, etc.) take quite a bit of money. I know that seeing Earth from orbit would make me very, very happy. It certainly seems to have brought happiness to five people who so far had been rich enough to PAY for the proviledge.

Money Maxims of U.G. Krishnamurti (http://www.ugkrishnamurti.org/ug/money-maxims/index.html)

Denying yourself money is the root of all misery.

One who worships the money god will be amply rewarded. One who worships the other God will be stripped naked and left in the streets.

No money, no honey.

How much money does a person need?

Enough

Its never enough.

Many Monks take a vow of poverty and will never take money same holds true for the Pope, he is also not allowed to have any money. So if all of these people can get by without money and they are "happy" how is it that what you state can be true?

Because other people are paying for them.

Its never enough.

Sufficient unto the day is the moey therof.

Money gives you choice.

Money gives you choice.

ah yes. That's the best. Money is freedom and it gives you lots of choices.

ah yes. That's the best. Money is freedom and it gives you lots of choices.
contrasted with - the pursuit of money is bondage and restricts most people between the hours of 7-6, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year, taking up at least 40% of their waking life

:o

I like working. :shrug:

When asked whether more money would make them happy, most people think that just a little more would, but they are fearful of a lot more or a lot less.

Exactly. No matter what they have, they always think they need just a bit more.

There is a program on British TV called Dragons Den, which is about millionaires financing and guiding inventive entrepreneurs.
At the beginning it shows the Dragons enjoying their wealthy lifestyle with skiing, boats and helicopter rides.
Looking at them, they seem soured by life. I doubt whether there is any enjoyment left in their lives greater than earning yet more money.

When TV visits poor African villages, I see far happier people there.

I like working. :shrug:

I'm with you Orleander.
I'm not sure if I like it, but I can never see myself not doing some kind of work.
Retiring and doing nothing is not an option for me,

contrasted with - the pursuit of money is bondage and restricts most people between the hours of 7-6, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year, taking up at least 40% of their waking life

:o

You are generalizing. It's a question of finding the right balance. It can be done. What you are suggesting is self-defeating from my perspective but I am not in he business of telling others how to live.

There is a program on British TV called Dragons Den, which is about millionaires financing and guiding inventive entrepreneurs.
At the beginning it shows the Dragons enjoying their wealthy lifestyle with skiing, boats and helicopter rides.
Looking at them, they seem soured by life. I doubt whether there is any enjoyment left in their lives greater than earning yet more money.

When TV visits poor African villages, I see far happier people there.

Had there been TV 100 years ago you would have seen peasants merrymaking in the fields, dancing in barns, drinking cider and so on.What a shame that we can't go back to those happy days when we knew our place and doffed our caps.

I have seen Africans who were happily driving cars, watching TV and so on.

I agree with you about the Dragons and their ilk. I have no wish to join them. But can you honstly say you own the cheapest/oldest TV, car , mobile phone and so on ?

But can you honstly say you own the cheapest/oldest TV, car , mobile phone and so on ?

I can honestly say that for the first 15 years of my working life this was the case ( still don't have a mobile phone).

Things are changing now..getting older..craving a few more creature comforts and some travel etc.

When I used to drive around in my beat up old Holden(General motors), it was like a badge of honour. Once, I was driving along and another young chap in a sister ship of comparable delapidation and I grazed our paintwork in a too close encounter, we both looked at each other, smiled and continued driving, no road rage, no contacting insurance companies etc. It was a beautiful moment.

I'm still seeking the simple life and succeeding quite spectacularly ( I swim, surf and love a lot and grow my own food and catch a stunning selection of fresh seafood)
Money will buy me happiness. I want to be able to afford medical care, good food etc.
But pursuit of wealth has never been on my agenda. I have always found it unnecessarily distracting from my loves of life.

Can I come and live with you?

Can I come and live with you?

Sure. How much money have you got?

Too much. Its making me miserable.

Money just lets you buy more stuff. It does not make you happier. It does not have the capacity. Happiness comes from within. Most people are born happy but some get jaded and stay miserable.

The belief that money will make one happier is a deceit. Money can stop/prevent some problems. But so can good negotiating.

Too much. Its making me miserable.

Whenever you feel miserable about having to much money go down to your local hospitals children's ward and see what those kids are going through. Then take some of your money and donate it to that hospitals children's ward to help them defray expenses for those without insurance.:)

All I know is no matter how much money I have, its never enough. Why? Because the more we have, the more we buy, the more bills we have.

The more you own the more you have to lose.

Money can very clearly make you happy. Money gives you freedom to do what you want to do, so long as you're not working like a dog for it.

The more you own the more you have to lose.

But you will only lose it if you are careless. I'll send you my business card, you send me lots of money, and your worries are over. As a bonus I will send you my " How to Have a Huge Penis in 5 Days"

Money can very clearly make you happy. Money gives you freedom to do what you want to do, so long as you're not working like a dog for it.

I disagree. I have been very rich and I have been less rich. My happiness was never affected.

I disagree. I have been very rich and I have been less rich. My happiness was never affected.

But rich nonthereless.

I disagree. I have been very rich and I have been less rich. My happiness was never affected.

And do you help the less fortunate with your riches ?

I disagree. I have been very rich and I have been less rich. My happiness was never affected.

OMG, you have been "less rich"? I didn't realize you have suffered such hardship! :p

Money just lets you buy more stuff. It does not make you happier. It does not have the capacity. Happiness comes from within. Most people are born happy but some get jaded and stay miserable.

The belief that money will make one happier is a deceit. Money can stop/prevent some problems. But so can good negotiating.

For once, Sandy, I agree with you.

I like working. :shrug:
really (http://www.sciforums.com/showpost.php?p=1695247&postcount=4)?

No, I'm bored out of my ever-lovin' mind!!
I have been looking for another one.

Money in itself does not make you happy, but having the presence of money can. What i mean is wondering where your next meal is coming from and hiding from your landlord because your 200 years behind in your rent and listening to debt collecters on the phone was not my idea of happiness. You don't have to live a lavish life when you have lots of money, but as Mark Twain said,"I've been rich and I've been poor..." Being rich is oh so much better. As long as you live the way you want to live not the way you think your supposed to.

Then there's this

Money seen as key to happiness, study finds (http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/money-seen-as-key-to-happiness-study-finds/2008/01/16/1200419885342.html)

Women on low-incomes are most likely to harbour "unrealistic optimism" about money and its power for change.

.....

But the survey found that although women on lower incomes (under $15,000) tended to overestimate the impact more money could bring, more than half of both men and women believed more money would bring them greater happiness.

For people aged 66 years and over, an increase in wealth was viewed as a negative. Divorced people of all ages, however, were most likely to believe in the power of wealth.

:scratchin:

Had there been TV 100 years ago you would have seen peasants merrymaking in the fields, dancing in barns, drinking cider and so on.

Wouldn't they have been watching television with a can of Tennants extra?

Rich, stupid, ugly, and unhappy is better than poor, stupid, ugly, and unhappy.

At least lots of money can allow you to be comfortable in your misery.

Rich, stupid, ugly, and unhappy is better than poor, stupid, ugly, and unhappy.

At least lots of money can allow you to be comfortable in your misery.

how can one be comfortable with unhappiness?
(actually one could argue that stupidity enables one access to more happiness)

Then take some of your money and donate it to that hospitals children's ward to help them defray expenses for those without insurance.:)
Or I could just carry on living in a country that has universal healthcare.

But rich nonthereless.

Actually, no. I was VERY not rich at one time. I put myself through college (VERY expensive!). I worked but made very good money--especially at any job that had tips. I was always a saver and a good steward of money. I was always happy no matter my net worth. And the climb was actually very enjoyable. :)

I used to be broke all of the time because my cost of living in LA is so expensive, but now I make more money and I'm much happier. (But that might also be because I just moved in with my boyfriend :D)

(actually one could argue that stupidity enables one access to more happiness)

I think you've touched on something big here LG, My partner and I ( she's brilliant and I'm not completely stupid) are often amazed at the downright daft and seemingly aimless, people around us who seem perfectly content in their daftness; you know, low levels of ambition, intelligence, knowledge etc. yet content to dwell in the cellar.

But on the other hand stupid people can be frustrated when they don't understand how to solve their problems => unhappiness.

But on the other hand stupid people can be frustrated when they don't understand how to solve their problems => unhappiness.
frustration requires an element of knowledge
basically there are two types of happy people in the world
one is greatly foolish
the other is greatly intelligent
most people are somewhere in the middle
:(

basically there are two types of happy people in the world
one is greatly foolish
the other is greatly intelligent
most people are somewhere in the middle
:(
Your scale has happy people at each end? So whats in the middle, sadness?

Your scale has happy people at each end? So whats in the middle, sadness?
that and a range of other things that challenge happiness - eg.: frustration, discontentment, envy, etc

Money can buy you security and a pleasant stress free life ............but real happiness is something you create yourself .........

Money can buy you security and a pleasant stress free life ............but real happiness is something you create yourself .........

True! But I still can wish I win the lottery one of these days :)

I find the more money you make, or have the more you end up spending on things or upgrading anyway.

Being moderately rich, that is, enough that I don't have to sleep on cold concrete while the low temperatures invade my vital organs, or eat out of other people's trash...does indeed make me happy.