Well, it partly depends on the person, doesn't it? Some people find that having plenty of money makes them extremely happy. Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger look happy enough.
Other people may find that wealth brings unhappiness in its wake - begging letters, the paparazzi, bogus media stories, endless public scrutiny and judgment, lack of privacy.
But a load of money certainly makes everyday life easier - you're not worrying endlessly about how to pay the bills and put food on the table.
Naturally the millionaires and billionaires try to ward off other people's envy and ease their own guilt by making out that having lots of money might be more of a liability than a benefit. But I don't see many of them disposing of their super-yachts and country mansions in order to be happier.
I think lots of people are firmly convinced that money CAN buy you happiness. How else to explain those incredibly expensive and elaborate weddings? Or all those fancy gas-guzzling 4X4 cars? Or all those luxury barbecue grills?
Personally I think happiness comes from living the life that's right for you, in the place that's right for you, having a compatible partner and having a few close friends. None of those things are dependent only on money, though money may oil the wheels a little.
But it's nice to have enough cash to splash out at the supermarket and not fret over every penny you're spending.
Tammy: If you get round to reading this, I'm sorry to hear from Jean that you've had a stroke and you're having trouble reading and typing. I hope you make a good recovery and it's soon back to "business as usual".
I guess we need a definition of happiness and how that’s measured.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: But surely we all know what happiness is? And either you're happy or you're unhappy - or possibly miserable.
DeleteI suspect that this particular cliche was invented by someone who just could not cut it. Or someone who inherited a great deal of money but, not good relationships.
ReplyDeleteRamana: That's an interesting idea. Nobody knows exactly who coined it. Apparently it may derive from Rousseau's quote: “Money can buy material things, but real happiness must be truly earned.”
DeleteYeah, a bit of money helps the happiness wheels go round! I mean, have you seen the price of petrol?!
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Ms Scarlet: A bit of surplus cash certainly makes one's daily life easier. As for the price of petrol - yikes!
DeleteI've known a few wealthy people who are desperately unhappy. I think equating happiness with wealth is a false equivalency of the highest nature.
ReplyDeleteI've known people with so little, or those who give away much of their wealth to be truly happy. Doing for others has a lot to do with happiness.
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WWW
www: Indeed, happiness and wealth are two entirely different things. I'd rather have the first than the second, that's for sure.
DeleteOnce you have enough money to "not fret over every penny you're spending" more won't make you happier unless the more is wanted for you to give it to those who do need to fret over every penny. That giving can make you happier.
ReplyDeleteLinda Sand
Linda: The biggest scandal of our age is the number of people who're fabulously wealthy but won't give away some of their wealth to people who're desperately poor.
DeleteI believe happiness is a level of satisfaction with life and money may or may not be involved.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: That's about right. Happiness is indeed about satisfaction with life.
DeleteMoney can offer some security which, in turn, can contribute to a person feeling happy.
ReplyDeleteJoared: I agree, a feeling of security is an important aspect of feeling happy.
DeleteBeatrice's comment didn't appear on my post. She said: "Certainly, Nick, it is true that money can't buy happiness but it surely seems to buy a great many other things that people "think" will make them happier. In my opinion, it rarely does but all the things you mentioned living a life you enjoy, in a place you enjoy with (or without a compatible partner) and enjoying some close friends. These are truly things that money cannot really buy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment on my post about the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and the number of suicides since it opened. I had read about them, but they were not really relevant to the tower post.
Beatrice: As Joared said, I think a sense of security is an important aspect of happiness. If you're fabulously wealthy but you're afraid your wealth will suddenly disappear, you won't be happy.
ReplyDeletewell the research says that happiness levels out at about the point where people are out of poverty and don't need to worry a lot. Any income above that level doesn't really impact happiness.
ReplyDeleteI always say money doesn't buy happiness but it's mighty useful in solving a lot of problems
Kylie: Does happiness actually level out when you're no longer poor? If happiness is dependent on all sorts of things other than wealth - like a sense of security and a sense of "rightness" - then you could presumably still become happier.
DeleteMoney may not buy you happiness. But it certainly makes life easier.
ReplyDeleteHave a problem? Throw money at it. Broken both your arms? Get a taxi. Your credit rating fucked? Let's hope you have friends with means and well disposed towards you. Fact is, Nick, money buys you out of a lot of shitholes in life. Ask a homeless person.
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Ursula: Absolutely. For all those everyday expenses and bills, plenty of ready cash makes a big difference.
DeleteYet again, Mary's comment hasn't reached my post. She said: "Money might not be able to buy you happiness but it probably lessens stress when you don't have to worry about whether or not to pay for food or rent that month."
ReplyDeleteMary: It lessens stress a great deal. If every minute of every day you're wondering how to afford even the bare essentials, it must be stressful beyond belief.
DeleteMy dad always said, money can't buy you happiness but it will let you go first class until you find something better.
ReplyDeleteNear me I have some extremely wealthy neighbors. One I introduced myself with my mother before I had a clue who and what he was. Since, he has been incredibly friendly to us. But one thing I have noticed is the fear. He is so cautious not be caught by someone unknown. The only thing I can think is that we are all surrounded by predators. They come out of the shadows for some mentally incapacitated people I know.
Ann: Indeed, money will let you go first class! I think a lot of people are afraid their wealth will be hacked into and stolen by fraudsters. There's certainly a lot of cyber theft going on.
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