Comments on Can Money Buy Happiness?TypePad2009-05-04T14:20:59ZNAhttps://www.freemoneyfinance.com/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2009/05/can-money-buy-happiness/comments/atom.xml/Arthur Schopenhauer commented on 'Can Money Buy Happiness?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e201157084182a970b2009-05-13T12:05:18Z2009-05-13T12:05:18ZArthur SchopenhauerMoney is human happiness in the abstract; he, then, who is no longer capable of enjoying human happiness in the...<p>Money is human happiness in the abstract; he, then, who is no longer capable of enjoying human happiness in the concrete devotes himself utterly to money.</p>Strick commented on 'Can Money Buy Happiness?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e201156f8c50de970c2009-05-12T18:19:01Z2009-05-12T18:19:01ZStrickThere is not a close relationship between happiness and stuff. There is a close relationship between happiness and freedom and...<p>There is not a close relationship between happiness and stuff. There is a close relationship between happiness and freedom and happiness and having your most basic needs met. After the basic needs are met, each $1 can be used to purchase more freedom or more stuff. The vast majority of what most Americans earn (those above the poverty level) goes toward the purchase of stuff and very little to the purchase of freedom (savings). So, sure money can buy happiness, you only question this because thats not what most people choose to spend it on.</p>Markus commented on 'Can Money Buy Happiness?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e2011570821fe7970b2009-05-12T18:10:33Z2009-05-12T18:10:33ZMarkusMoney buys FLEXIBILITY. You have enough to pay your bills even if you don't have a job...but you miss doing...<p>Money buys FLEXIBILITY.</p>
<p>You have enough to pay your bills even if you don't have a job...but you miss doing something productive;</p>
<p>You have enough to give away to charity or family....but they always want more;</p>
<p>You have enough to participate in extracurricular activities and travel....but unless you have a passion for life, things get old quickly;</p>
<p>You have enough to keep from worrying about tomorrow...but the future is uncertain, and a million probably won't go very far if you require a lot of health care.</p>
<p>Being that the future is uncertain, and being that hoarding wealth to cover all uncertainties is uuproductive, I think lowering both your expectations and time horizon (<5 years at a time) is a better way to live a less stressful relationship with money. Nothing is worth having money for, unless you have passion for life and other people.</p>MC commented on 'Can Money Buy Happiness?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e201156f8c211b970c2009-05-12T16:42:57Z2009-05-12T16:42:57ZMCI disagree--I do think money can buy happiness. But then, I've been "poor"! I don't miss 1) the "month of...<p>I disagree--I do think money can buy happiness. But then, I've been "poor"! I don't miss 1) the "month of ramen noodles" that I had to endure every few months, 2) no dental care for 6 years (arg!), 3) constantly trying to figure out how to fix my crappy car without spending money I don't have, etc etc. I'm much happier now with my 6 figure salary! </p>Jon commented on 'Can Money Buy Happiness?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e201157081bf62970b2009-05-12T15:22:06Z2009-05-12T15:22:06ZJonSure it can. It buys security and peace of mind. The people who say money can't buy happiness are already...<p>Sure it can. It buys security and peace of mind. The people who say money can't buy happiness are already financially secure.</p>David commented on 'Can Money Buy Happiness?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e201156f8bc12f970c2009-05-12T13:39:00Z2009-05-12T13:39:00ZDavidI think that money can ENABLE happiness. It doesn't guarentee happiness on it's own, and it's certainly possible to be...<p>I think that money can ENABLE happiness. It doesn't guarentee happiness on it's own, and it's certainly possible to be happy without money.</p>
<p>There are some situations where it can make it easier to be happy. I could be happy living on the streets, but I think I'd be happier in a house.</p>
<p>I could be happy never going on trips, but I think I'm happier taking a vacation every once in a while.</p>
<p>So money is only part of the equation... if you don't have the life, value, beliefs, etc..., then money won't do you any good. You have to have a solid foundation for money to bring happiness.</p>
<p>If you have a solid base, money can help that base grow. If you don't, then money will bring the foundation crashing to the ground. Consider the case of lottery winners and celebrities.</p>Neil commented on 'Can Money Buy Happiness?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e201156f8b9a69970c2009-05-12T12:09:08Z2009-05-12T12:09:08ZNeilhttp://debtadvice4free.comPeople make you happy, not money. That being said it would be hard to be happy if you were completely...<p>People make you happy, not money. That being said it would be hard to be happy if you were completely destitute. You need to have the basics of life (food, shelter, clothes) covered before you can be happy.</p>
<p>Once that it achieved I truly believe that it is the relationships that you have with other people that make you happy. Sure money can make these things easier (holidays etc. as mentioned above) but I think the bottom line is:</p>
<p>"You can be happy with lot of meaningful relationships with people and very little money. The opposite is not true"</p>gini commented on 'Can Money Buy Happiness?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e201156f8a9bde970c2009-05-12T02:18:46Z2009-05-12T02:18:46Zginiabsolutely, just like it can buy everything else.............<p>absolutely, just like it can buy everything else.............</p>NP commented on 'Can Money Buy Happiness?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e201156f8a14c1970c2009-05-11T22:38:05Z2009-05-11T22:38:05ZNPThe desire for more money often represents a need for something else that could result in happiness if fulfilled. Personally,...<p>The desire for more money often represents a need for something else that could result in happiness if fulfilled. Personally, money represents security for me (among other things). Having 6 months of living expenses can contribute to my security which contributes to my happiness. Maybe knowing what money can mean for you and knowing how much it takes to get that meaning can lead to happiness.</p>artie commented on 'Can Money Buy Happiness?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e20115707f9636970b2009-05-11T20:46:21Z2009-05-11T20:46:21Zartiehttp://www.ArtieEvans.comMoney can not make you happy. Just look at all the rich famous people who struggle with drugs and other...<p>Money can not make you happy. Just look at all the rich famous people who struggle with drugs and other problems. They have tons of money and still seem lost. Money only makes paying the bills easier. </p>Moneymonk commented on 'Can Money Buy Happiness?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e20115707f8d7a970b2009-05-11T20:32:53Z2009-05-11T20:32:53ZMoneymonkhttp://www.moneymonk.netIt's money that usually creates the experience, world travel, get-togethers with family all cost. "Material goods can't buy happiness" so...<p>It's money that usually creates the experience, world travel, get-togethers with family all cost.</p>
<p>"Material goods can't buy happiness" so true. But experiences can buy happiness</p>Auditioning For Adulthood commented on 'Can Money Buy Happiness?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e201156f89c0e9970c2009-05-11T20:20:44Z2009-05-11T20:20:44ZAuditioning For Adulthoodhttp://auditioningforadulthood.blogspot.com/I agree with your points, but I'd like to add another stipulation: Earned money (not gotten through lottery or inheritance)...<p>I agree with your points, but I'd like to add another stipulation: Earned money (not gotten through lottery or inheritance) makes you happier. It's as though you earned it and now have pride in it.</p>