Does money = happiness?

Weird_Nev

I've lived a simple and cheap life and been very happy doing it.

However, I've also been able to travel, enjoy fast cars, and generally do what I please, and this is facilitated by money.

I think that not having money can make you sad because it limits your options, but being rich is no guarantee of happiness.

Debt however, must be misery.

Pennysmakepounds

Morning all,

This is a very interesting topic.

In my humble opinion….Money CAN make you happy because it allows to DO and HAVE “things” that make you happy AT THE TIME.

For example, say I had no ‘Real’ money and was living month to month on the wage I was being paid AND that wage was just enough to cover the basics (Food/roof over my head…etc) no luxuries (like - eating out/going to the cinema/buying things for the sake of it, going on holiday….etc). I would be pretty miserable because I would spend all my time wanting to be able to do these things and worrying what would happen if the money stopped.

On the other hand, if I was being paid a small fortune (like the traders/Bankers..etc). I may NOT want to go eat out/go to the cinema/buy luxuries, go on holiday….etc, but I would NOT be sat there thinking I COULDN’T. I wouldn't spend time worrying about what would happen if the money stopped, because i would have savings.

Happy-ness is a state of mind, BUT money gives you the security to have that STATE OF MIND....

Like most, my happiest memories are of a time LONG past when I was a jack that lad. I had REAL friends, a social life and YOUTH but not a whole load of money. Those memories will stay with me forever.

Today when I have the Money to be able to reasonably afford/do ANYTHING I wanted (Cars/Holiday..etc). I can’t honestly say I’m any more happier today then I was back then.

Money, is NOT the root of all evil as some claim. Its a means to an end.

EDIT:-
One final comment - Ive been in real debt and i can tell you it was NOT a happy time worrying about the situation and what might happen...

jules888

Money has bought my forever house which i"m very happy in and i"m happiest on holiday seeing new places which also costs money unfortunatly.However my family are the most important things in my life and i didnt have to buy them!

Pennysmakepounds

jules888 wrote: »

Money has bought my forever house which i"m very happy in and i"m happiest on holiday seeing new places which also costs money unfortunatly.However my family are the most important things in my life and i didnt have to buy them!

I agree, Family are the most important thing in life.

As for the question of not having to buy them....You might want to look at their CC bills....lol:rotfl::rotfl:

Delree

I think money is essential to happiness up to a point. After a certain point money's influence on happiness decreases. For instance I earn more than I ever have today but look back to 2010 when I was pretty skint (but solvent with some fun money) as one of the happiest years of my life. Weird isn't it.

matttye

I think money can resolve problems that make you unhappy, but it doesn't in itself make you happy.

In other words; if debt is making you miserable, money can resolve that, but you won't necessarily be happy just because you're debt-free. It's just one less thing to be unhappy about.

Trazy

I have had lots of money and luxury in the past and I walked out and didn't want any of it as then my abusive ex-husband would have had an excuse to bully and torment me more.
I am disabled and now live on benefits in a small house, I no longer dread the sound of his key in the lock at ridiculous hours.
I don't know if I am happier but I am certainly more contented and feel safer. He can keep his money

aliasojo

Money is an enabler.

If you have money, it enables you to make life choices that provide you with happiness.

Money is the root.

TimeforTea_4

Money brings you choices and choices make you happy.....

:j

tasha999

I'd be happier with more money! I am happy when I am not worrying about money!

I'd be happy to walk around a supermarket and not have to add up each item to avoid the embarrassment of not having enough money! Though someone less well off than me would be happy to be in the supermarket!

I read on here a few weeks ago that people with no money worry about having none but people with money worry about losing it.

Everyone's version of true happiness is different.