Does money equate to happiness?

[Fuyumine]

During a recession, the answer might be a simply 'yes.' Which is, of course, understandable. But does money really equal happiness for you? This question came to me after a friend of mine, who's fresh out of college, was telling me all the things that I needed to be doing with my life in order to be happy. "You gotta make money," was a recurring theme in his lecture, and I just sat there smiling and nodding. I never really questioned whether or not I'd be truly happy with a bunch of money until then.

What about for you?

[Nami]

The paper with dead presidents (American dollar for me) doesn't make me happy in and of itself. It's what I can do with it that make me happy. With money, I don't have to starve. With money I can pay off my bills and debts and not worry about being jailed or having all of my material things taken from me (such as my living quarters and things essential for survival). With money I can help others. With money I can see the world. With money often comes security.

Some say "Money is the root of all evil". I say money is what you make of it. It is a tool. It should not rule over a person.

In conclusion... yes. Money would help greatly in making me very, very happy. But if all I had was a stack of Benjamin Franklins... I'd probably become sad after a while.

I propose an experiment. Someone give me one billion dollars and I'll tell you how it affects my happiness.

[Casanova]

My short answer is yes. My long answer is no.

My reasoning for the short answer is the fact that money is essential to survive. When you have enough money to get by on, you're under less stress, and you have far less things to worry about. This will make things easier for you and you can enjoy life a whole lot more. Also, there are people in this world who would much prefer to spend their money on those less fortunate than themselves. One could argue that this is much more satisfying than buying a new car.

My reasoning for the long answer is the fact that money never lasts. Even people who have it in ridiculous amounts end up blowing their money on complete and utter rubbish. There's a long list of people in this world who have squandered their dosh on huge houses, multiple cars, flashy clothes, and all the rest of it, and are now broke as a joke. Prenuptial agreements and court cases also seem to be major elements contributing to the almost inevitable wasting wealth amongst the rich and famous. We read about those all the time in the tabloids.

That's just what I think.

[BirriaDS]

For me it depends on the person, I am way too materialistic and would say yes in a heartbeat,

but I also now people who care to spend more time with their loved one than money.

p.S: I prefer hanging out with friends and loved ones too

[Mellusia]

For me, money is happiness. Having money gives me peace of mind, and that's the first thing that I need before I can be happy. There's just too many things in this society that require money just so you can survive. When you have money, you buy the things you need, and the things you want.

It's easy to say being happy with family and friends is all you need, but is it really?

You wanna hang out with friends. Where? Likely the mall. What do you do at the mall? Buy stuff.

If you're family is on the verge of losing their home, they're not exactly going to be happy and spend time with you, right?

I admit that it's just one way of looking at things, but I've been thinking about money more often than not lately as most people have been due to the issue of recession.

Hell, without money, I wouldn't be here online.

[Keiko]

Yes.

Obviously I'd take the money. But when having relations with other people, money should never be a factor. I'd want people to see me as a person instead of a moneybag.

But the number one mental illness in the U.S. is related to Anxiety and Stress. Which incidentally both cause depression. Depression being the opposite of happy. So having money prevents both of those things. So yes money = happiness.

[dthc]

I always grew up with a more money more problems kind of mentality. Money wouldn't make me happy in the least. I like being able to provide for Doaj, I like it when he's contented with the things that we have, but I don't like doing the work to provide them and being taken for granted. If money was completely out of the equation, I would be happy. I do not think having an abundance of money would greatly satisfy me. For one, I'd keep all of it in the bank and have to write checks all the time. I am forever losing my I.D., so I'd have to use my passport. It's amazing how many stores can't run a check with a passport as I.D. For two, with more money, we'd have more stuff. I don't need more stuff. The stuff we have is already all over the place. Yes, I could get a maid, but then Doaj would never learn to clean up after himself, so that wouldn't work. For 3, I would have no reason to stay in school, therefore not being mentally stimulated and slowly become my mother. So basically, I'd rather kill myself than have large sums of money.

[Fuyumine]

The answers here are interesting!

Now, here's a different question:

Would you be content with just being financially stable? Or do you need to live like a Star? Would you be fine with a decent apartment or home? Or do you need something you see on MTV Cribs or Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous? Does wealth matter to you? Or no?

[Mellusia]

I'd be lying if I said I didn't want an "upgrade" of sorts from what I have now, but I'd like to think I wouldn't spontaneously blow it on extravagant things or high priced comforts. I honestly shake my head at people (celebrities really, to be honest) who buy 500 dollar sunglasses and 3,000 dollar hair cuts.

[Fuyumine]

I'd be lying if I said I didn't want an "upgrade" of sorts from what I have now, but I'd like to think I wouldn't spontaneously blow it on extravagant things or high priced comforts. I honestly shake my head at people (celebrities really, to be honest) who buy 500 dollar sunglasses and 3,000 dollar hair cuts.

$2,000 blue jeans because the thread is handwoven by a group of women from a small village in Honduras. Yeah, Calvin Klein jeans, man. I shit you not.

But yeah, I don't think anyone would mind an upgrade of what they have now. We all like being secure. And to be honest... vast amounts of wealth wouldn't be too shabby, either, LOL, but it isn't necessary.

[ack!]

Daniel Tosh quote: "'Money doesn't by you happiness.' That quote should end with 'just kidding.' Ever see somebody frown on a wave runner? No. Those things are awesome."

My spending habits are odd. I enjoy buying stuff, but I'm very frugal about it. I often shop clearance and generic so I can get the best deals so I can buy more stuff. I assume this will just continue in all the other aspects of my life--even if I did have the money.

Yeah sure, I'd like a nice place to live and all--not have to worry about car or house payments at least--but I think that's it. I'd want to live comfortably with the some added bonuses (nice TV, awesome computer, etc.)... But I have no interest in being super rich. It would just bring more problems.

So I guess my answer is--yeah, money can make me happy. But it's by far not the only thing that makes me happy. Everything in moderation, yeah?

[Fuyumine]

Yeah, it seems like a lot of us share that same sentiment. I guess in the long run, money can't buy happiness so much as it can buy security. And that's pretty much all anyone wants, to be honest. If anyone had enough money to pay their bills on time, have absolutely no debts, and buy stuff they like whenever they want? Sheeeit.

[Recycled Human]

NECROMANCY!

I've gotta hand it to money changers of old, they really got us riled up for that fat wad of cash. Depending on your analysis of 'happy' one could quite effortlessly say that money does NOT buy happiness. Take suicide rates for instance, what's the highest category for suicide? white, male, wealthy, single, protestant. There you have it, money = death.

The truth is, money is a social construct. It's only worth a damn because you think its worth a damn. (Just like in the fade, that's why I could never turn into a mouse!!!) Should you get enough people to stop caring about the value of a dollar, you might actually be able to get rid of the horrible notion entirely. However, since democracies have such a penchant for 'free market' all I can say is good luck. You want a peaceful world, you need money.

So while money is, in essence, useless I will have to say no money doesn't = happiness. However, because having it keeps the world accountable, yes it does = happiness.

On a personal level, intelligence and money correlates, you might want to check that out.

As for your next few questions, I recommend NOT living like a Rockstar, that will most likely get you killed. Live within your means and you'll be happy most of the time (just don't start saying that 'grass is always greener' stuff...it makes people who aren't as well off hate you.)

[BlackJack]

Take suicide rates for instance, what's the highest category for suicide? white, male, wealthy, single, protestant. There you have it, money = death.

Holy crap! It's a good thing I'm not wealthy or I'd be swinging from a tree already.

[Fuyumine]

Holy crap! It's a good thing I'm not wealthy or I'd be swinging from a tree already.

LOL

I see what you mean, though, Chris. So far it appears to go both ways, and whether or not it's a healthy or unhealthy thing is perhaps up for debate.