How much money do you need to be happy?

abaxas

In 1998 I earned 15k PA = £1000 per month.

I rented a flat, ran a small car, had 2-3 nights out a week and never got into debt.

Fast forward to 2008, the same job is roughly £22k, but there is no way I could have the same standard of living as in '98.

So to be 'happy' I guess I would have to earn £25k +. So I guess I am Mr happy now.

amcluesent

After tax and housing costs, could manage a smile on net £15K p/a. Plus a reserve savings of, say £25K.

purch

How much money do you need to be happy?

A cheap bottle of Tequila, and 'Debbie does Dallas' on Blueray !!!!

dobbie82

So long as my incomings are more than my outgoings I am happy, so about 30k joint income? (have 3 kids so outgoings are high!)

up it to 40k and could get a better car, or have a holiday I guess? But dont need an obscene amount.

knowledgepower1

When I start thinking about bentley, ferrari,aston matin...I wont even be able to mention it...and dont let me talk about girls with junk in the trunk..Loads men loads ...

ninky_2

So given that most seem to agree that masses of money is not needed to be happy, how would you feel if about the government introduced a maximum wage. Start it off quite high to ease people in gently but I'd have though £1000 an hour up to a maximum of £20 000 a week would be a fair start.

What could possibly be a good reason to let people earn more than this?

lostinrates

ninky wrote: »

So given that most seem to agree that masses of money is not needed to be happy, how would you feel if about the governemnt introducing a maximum wage. start it off quite high to ease people in gently but I'd have though £1000 an hour up to a maximum of £20 000 a week.

What could possibly be a good reason to let people earn more than this?

I disagree, and once levels started to impact on our household ability to earn we would probably emmigrate

How do you evaluate assets...famers..lots of asset possibly low income? Private business owners? Entrepreneurs, people who back other people's businesses? Would this genuinely improve quality of life when taken off paper?

markelock

ninky wrote: »

So given that most seem to agree that masses of money is not needed to be happy, how would you feel if about the government introduced a maximum wage. Start it off quite high to ease people in gently but I'd have though £1000 an hour up to a maximum of £20 000 a week would be a fair start.

What could possibly be a good reason to let people earn more than this?

ex banker and his pension?;)

I'd need a £1,000,000. per annum.

enough to buy whatever I needed (I don't like boats), and to allow me to work for charity.

INT1

The more you earn the less bothered about bargain hunting, I guess people think if they work harder to earn more they should be rewarded.
A couple earning £12k each should find it enough to live on and bring up 1 child.

bendix

ninky wrote: »

So given that most seem to agree that masses of money is not needed to be happy, how would you feel if about the government introduced a maximum wage. Start it off quite high to ease people in gently but I'd have though £1000 an hour up to a maximum of £20 000 a week would be a fair start.

What could possibly be a good reason to let people earn more than this?

ninky, you confuse me. I can't work out if you're a communist or a facist but your desire to have an all-knowing government interfere in people's lives is amazing.

The idea of a maximum income is palpable nonsense. We already had this - to a degree - in the 60s and 70s with supertax of 98% on high earnings. It did nothing except drive entrepeneurs and wealth creators overseas, stifle innovation and creativity and make us an economic backwater.

Oh no . .wait . . you're pushing for a new world order, right? Supreme mastery etc etc. NOW, I get it.