Does Money Make You Happy? You Tell Me

I recently had a reader ask me to provide him with some thoughts on the relationship of money to happiness, so I sent him these links:

• Does Money Make You Happy?

• Is There a Relationship Between Money and Happiness?

• Will Earning More Make You Happier?

• Money, Happiness And The Pursuit Of Both

• Money Doesn't Make People Happy

• How to Be Happier

My opinion is as stated in one of the posts above:

I'm sure that money, by itself, doesn't make a person happy, but it does contribute to his/her happiness in some way. I think this is best summarized in that last thought above. If you have money, you don't have to worry about money. You don't have to fight with your spouse over it. You don't have to compromise on things you want to give to your children (within reason, of course). You still need to save, manage, and invest your money, but if you're "comfortable" financially, you're living with a lot less stress than most people and you should be at least a bit happier than they are.

Now, for your opinion. What do you think on this subject?

Comments

[Wil]

For me, money is only a tool, like a screwdriver or a lathe. I've been both really "rich" and really "poor", and I've been able to find happiness both ways. What I will say is nothing should be taken that seriously. That is where UNhappiness comes in.

[Joel]

I think the key to happiness is based on relationships with family and friends.

Money is the key to having more fun.

[Matt]

One of the best bloggers I've ever read put it best: "In my life, I've been poor and I've also been rich...rich is better." :)

Will getting more money make an unhappy person happy? Very often not. But being broke can be a continuing source of misery, even for someone who would otherwise have the potential to be quite happy. Money's ability to buy happiness is, at the very least, subject to rapidly diminishing returns.