Money Can’t Buy Happiness; or Can It?

‘Money can’t buy happiness’ is a line that has been peddled around for the longest time now. While on face value this is true, the fact is that even though it literally makes sense, the deeper meaning of it has some falsity that may go unnoticed. You are much less likely to be happy without money than you are going to be with having money. In today’s world, where money is a necessity for everyone and only a luxury for a select few, having money will definitely play a significant part in how happy you can be.

Money can be compared to health, in that you do not begin to miss it until it is not there.

When you are in need and require money to get you out of a fix, you know that there is very little that can happen to make you happy; except of course, to actually get some money. Money can’t buy happiness in such a case, but its presence will definitely put you in a position to be happy. As long as you do not have money, all your focus will be on how to get your hands on some cash, and all the positive thinking in the world cannot change your disposition.

Even if money can’t buy happiness, spending money wisely can certainly boost your happiness.

For instance, scientists and philosophers alike agree that having strong ties to other people is critical to your happiness. For instance, if you live far away from your family or friends, you will need money to buy the ticket for the plane that will get you home for the holidays.

Another way that you can evoke feelings of happiness is to help others to find happiness. Today, such a feat will require some financial commitment. Providing for the needs of the less privileged, for instance, is a good way to show gratitude for what you have, but if you are in need too, gratitude is the last thing on your mind.

Of course this is not to mean that those with money are happy. However, their reasons for being unhappy are certainly not as a result of their having money. Depending on money to bring you happiness is a mistake. In fact, the way that rich or poor people spend the money that they have, contributes more to their happiness than the amount itself. The significance of money is different for every person, depending on their situation and their temperament.

Different people will react differently to money. One person will be perfectly happy going out to buy a pet, while another would rather have children. Each of them will have to spend on food, school or training, and on hospital bills. To each his own. There are some purchases that are more likely to contribute to your happiness than others. You can spend a significant amount of money on cocaine, or you could take a weekend trip. Money is not evil, what you do with it makes it so.

Most importantly, the way you measure yourself and the amount of money you have, and how you compare yourself with those around you will have a bigger impact on your happiness.