How much do you need to be happy

grex9101

Was reading in some papers this week about an investment suit type who reckoned that you only need £30,000 per year to be happy (he earns a LOT mor than this), and in fact stated that the more you earn over this 30k figure, the less happy you will be....

Sooooooo - I was wondering your thoughts on this.

I don't earn 30k (yet!), I know few people who do, in fact, and we all seem relatively happy.

Obviously people survive on very little, but outwith silly millions, how much do you all reckon it takes (per person per year) to truly live a worthwhile happy life? (ie not merely existing/surviving)

cheers

mspig

Well we got given £50k two years ago so we decided to buy our flat, then do it up as it needed lots of work.
Buy a car and have a holiday.

We did all of the above but while we were on holiday the car leaked oil all over the inlaws drive so we took it back to the garage and are still in process of getting it sorted two years on so we had to buy a new car.

The holiday was to tenerife and it was horrible weather, and rained alot.
Then my husband became ill, lost his job and we ended up losing the flat.

So now we live off benefits, have a council house and have no money.

But i feel happier now as when we had money i was worrying all the time about what every penny was being spent on and not enjoying it. now i don't worry.

ManAtHome

About a quid more than you spend...

More serious than you may think - too many people are unhappy if they earn less than neighbours or 'celebs', and a lot of people adjust their lifestyle upwards as their salary increases - never earning quite enough to be happy.

MoneyEarningExpert

Interesting question!

I don't think there is any measurable figure on this one for me.

The real answer is this: Gratitude.

If you were on £30k per year, and you were grateful for your 30k per year, then you would be happy.

If you were on £15k per year, and you were grateful for your 15k per year, then you would be happy.


I book I urge you to read is "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" (by T. Harv Eker)

It talks about your Financial Blueprint. Very interesting. A nice example is this - How happy do you think Donald Trump would feel if he was just a millionaire? He'd probably feel a failure! It's all down to your financial blueprint.

I urge you to read the book!

Marvellous!

iwanttosave_2

You need yourself, your family, an adiquate roof over your head and warm food in your bellies and a lot of love, nothing more nothing less, anything else is a bonus

MoneyEarningExpert

Nice one iwanttosave!


"If your shoes wear-out, you'll be back on your feet"

hilstep2000

I only earn £8000 a year, Tax credits bring it up to £12000. We are better now that I don't have a mortgage, but it's still tough. I'd be happier with £20000, but as that isn't going to happen, I'll carry on as I am. we don't starve, we're warm, and we've got each other, that's enough for me!!!

ariba10

You need just a little more than the people you live amongst and socialise with.
It is when you try to keep up with the better off that you get into trouble.

[Deleted User]

Enough to live on so that you earn at least £1 more than you spend. I would say between £15k and £30k pa

But very importantly a safety- net cash pot. £25k tucked away out of sight but gaining interest. So you don`t have sleepless `what if` nights

Dora_the_Explorer_5

I read some research ages ago which suggested that whatever anyone has they reckon they need 25% more to make them happy!

margaretclare

Our total income (pair of wrinklies) is the same level as the average national earnings. Work that one out!!

We haven't got that £25K in savings, but we can afford to save £400 a month each. We don't pay a mortgage, we've just paid off the last loan we ever intend to have, I 'stooze' in a small way. We live well, comfortably but modestly. We have all we need and don't need to worry about e.g. car repairs, fuel bills, whatever.

Conversely, we're not at a level where we need to worry about IHT and leaving our descendants with tax bills etc. We don't worry about anything at all!

Brilliant, isn't it.

Aunty Margaret