Money does make you happier, new study finds.

[Irishgirlyc58]

I have enough money to make me happy.
However, I also want my kids and grandkids to be happy. Which in turn makes me happier.
Not helping them be happy would make me sad.
It’s a vicious cycle.

 

[NW-Bound]

Money may not beget happiness, but I am sure that lack of money brings misery.

I have never been broke or desperate in my life, even when young and not having a whole lot, but can picture how miserable being penniless is. I am a gloomy person, and tend to be pessimistic. Hence, I tried hard to avoid being broke. At this point, I have way more than I spend (WR of 1% or so), but that's because I don't spend just to spend.

I still like to make more money by being an active investor though. It's a challenge, and fun when you win. If I start to lose a lot, it will no longer be fun and I will stop. Same as with working for pay, I liked my work, but when the hassle overweighed the job satisfaction and the remuneration, I stopped.

 

[Sunset]

I don't really think that happiness is the correct way to look at this whole topic. Some previous posters have already touched on this. It is really the lessening of anxiety and stress that is the beneficial effect of more money... to a point. I lived in one of the top countries in the above list for two years. I was fascinated with the social democracy system and how it functioned. I informally interviewed people about it the whole time I lived there. There is a lot to be said for having social safety nets in place such that misfortune will not leave you and your family homeless and hungry and you will have healthcare throughout your life. People there did not have to have such huge personal savings in order to be assured of a decent amount of security or a comfortable retirement. In such circumstances you are more free to pursue the things that interest and engage you.

+1
I lived in Canada for a while, and some big work differences were: Unemployment or changing jobs didn't mean loosing health insurance, as it wasn't connected to work.
6 months off (paid) to have a baby, and parents can split it up.

 

[Bigdawg]

I agree with many posters regarding social safety nets to insure essentials are taken care of. The examples given (Canada, European countries, etc...) are typically smaller countries. For example Canada: 1/10th the population of the United States. Yes, Canada has a more affordable health care system, but is it better? The USA spends huge dollars on social programs. But, I don't feel we do a very good job of it. Lots of waste. There are many programs that go unused. Difficult to navigate our safety net systems in this country. I agree with many posters that money means safety up until a certain point. Need my essentials covered.

 

[old medic]

I have never been broke or desperate in my life, even when young and not having a whole lot, but can picture how miserable being penniless is.

Can you picture sitting behind a restaurant in 40 degree rain waiting for the fresh trash to come out? Sleeping under a bridge wrapped in cardboard?
I managed to survive nearly a year desperately broke. Miserable... for sure, but I still have some good memories and great lessons learned from it.

 

[Teacher Terry]

My friend and I always laugh at how happy Norway is rated because we were there in 2015 and the women especially were very grumpy. If you smiled at one they glared back especially the old women. The men however were friendly.

 

[street]

Can you picture sitting behind a restaurant in 40 degree rain waiting for the fresh trash to come out? Sleeping under a bridge wrapped in cardboard?
I managed to survive nearly a year desperately broke. Miserable... for sure, but I still have some good memories and great lessons learned from it.

No, I can't imagine living like that. Easy to say but my internal wiring wouldn't allow that to happen for very long. I believe I would do everything go anywhere in my power to pull myself up and make my life better. The world is full of work if you really want to get a job and pull yourself up, but you need drive and a want to do that. I'm not belittling anyone that is homeless their situations maybe a lot different and their thinking may not be the same as mine.

I grew up with a loving family we didn't have much but had it all. Very little income each month but mom and dad worked their tails off each and every day to make a great life.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

I grew up farming with my parents. It was like a year round camping trip. We ate from the garden and raised livestock.

We were ALWAYS in debt and money was short. There were times when we didn't know how we'd make it.

Now, the farm is paid for and financially we're set. I can't believe it.

I don't live much differently than we did 50 years ago but the stress of the debt took a toll on our health. I'm happier now.

 

[old medic]

I grew up with a loving family we didn't have much but had it all.

I believe I would do everything go anywhere in my power to pull myself up and make my life better. The world is full of work if you really want to get a job

As did I, well not all but most of it, and very great full for it. I remember my Stepfather waiting for us kids to eat 1st to make sure we got to eat enough.

I spent 8 months living out of a backpack doing little odd and end jobs to make a few bucks. It seemed everywhere I turned was a dead end. What gets me today is that I never stood someplace with a sign. Many meals got provided for helping clean up at night. Plenty of couple day labor at many different jobs. Learned a lot... work experiences, about people, and about myself.

 

[NW-Bound]

Can you picture sitting behind a restaurant in 40 degree rain waiting for the fresh trash to come out? Sleeping under a bridge wrapped in cardboard?
I managed to survive nearly a year desperately broke. Miserable... for sure, but I still have some good memories and great lessons learned from it.

Yes, I can picture it, even before watching this movie by Mel Brooks: "Life Stinks!"

These were good memories for you because you survived and prospered by perseverance, but what if you did not? Well, sometimes one failed despite his most valiant effort, but I always tried to minimize risks to avoid getting myself in dire situations.

Our family did go through some rough and scary times, but we were never hungry, mostly through luck. It could easily end up being quite different.

 

[Letj]

My friend and I always laugh at how happy Norway is rated because we were there in 2015 and the women especially were very grumpy. If you smiled at one they glared back especially the old women. The men however were friendly.

I’ve noticed that too in other parts of Europe, especially Germany. I thought at the time they were grumpy but as I got to know some of them better, it’s more about being reserved and I guess you can say a cultural thing. Many Americans are put off by this, especially if they’re from a more polite part of the country where people tend to smile at strangers. For them the apparent grumpiness is not by design; it’s just the way they relate to people they don’t know well and their brusqueness can come across as grumpiness (I’ve seen the same in Holland as well).

 

[braumeister]

I’ve noticed that too in other parts of Europe, especially Germany. I thought at the time they were grumpy but as I got to know some of them better, it’s more about being reserved and I guess you can say a cultural thing.

Although I've never felt that I was being treated grumpily in Europe, I've always thought that this impression Americans have is derived from the language. In many countries it's a BIG DEAL when you switch from using the formal form of "you" to the informal form. The French even have a word for it (of course): tutoyer.

 

[Gumby]

A certain reserve is entrenched in romance languages, where you actually change the language depending upon your relation to the person with whom you are speaking. In French for example, there is the tutoimente/vouvoimente distinction -- you use the 2nd person singular for family, good friends and children and the 2nd person plural for adults who are not family or good friends. In Italian, you actually change person - from 2nd person singular to 3rd person singular when talking to someone who is not a family member or friend.

 

[jollystomper]

I’ve noticed that too in other parts of Europe, especially Germany. I thought at the time they were grumpy but as I got to know some of them better, it’s more about being reserved and I guess you can say a cultural thing. Many Americans are put off by this, especially if they’re from a more polite part of the country where people tend to smile at strangers. For them the apparent grumpiness is not by design; it’s just the way they relate to people they don’t know well and their brusqueness can come across as grumpiness (I’ve seen the same in Holland as well).

They may be happy, just not to strangers .

(Thread tangent=on)
Having traveled with DW, who is fluent in several languages, my observation is that the grumpiness/reservedness wears off quickly if one is fluent in the local language. Folks have gone from glaring to inviting us to have a meal with them after DW starts conversing in the native language. She is also pretty, so that helps .
(Thread tangent=off)

 

[marko]

My friend and I always laugh at how happy Norway is rated because we were there in 2015 and the women especially were very grumpy. If you smiled at one they glared back especially the old women. The men however were friendly.

I did a consulting gig in Norway for six months one winter. I met an Italian lady who lived there and we were talking about the grumpy natives...her observation was "They have no sun in the sky and no sun in their hearts".

I lived in Europe for many years and found the Norwegians very cold and somewhat anti American compared to most other countries.

Language was not an issue as just about everyone speaks perfect English.

One surprise was that even in January, the weather was fairly mild...similar to Boston. I was expecting below zero weather but that wasn't the case.

 

[ls99]

They may be happy, just not to strangers .

(Thread tangent=on)
Having traveled with DW, who is fluent in several languages, my observation is that the grumpiness/reservedness wears off quickly if one is fluent in the local language. Folks have gone from glaring to inviting us to have a meal with them after DW starts conversing in the native language. She is also pretty, so that helps .
(Thread tangent=off)

In my travels in Europe, I found if willing and able to speak some in a local language, they often switched to English. They appreciate the effort. If expecting locals to speak English, good luck.
OTOH long time ago in my travels in African countries, speaking English often resulted in hordes of beggars and prices went up. Speaking some Russian got rid of beggars and got low prices on stuff. A minor benefit of having been required to learn Russian in elementary school, nowadays I can only remember maybe a dozen words.
One time in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) in a sailor bar I walked into, was full of Iranian sailors. Luckily the barmaid was German, she suggested in German not to speak English, do German, avoided some serious hassle. I think I was outnumered by about 50 to to 1.
Ok, resume discussion of the pleasures of wealth.

 

[harley]

After briefly scanning through this thread, it appears to me that everyone here thinks money makes you happier as in the title story.

I think you're all bat$$$$ crazy, off your rockers, crazier than a flock of loons But hey, somebody's got to be different and that's me.

I think that money does make you happier until you have enough to eat, drink, and have some modest, reasonably adequate shelter from the elements and safety from criminals or wild animals.

Once I have that much, plus about $20K maybe to repair/replace things that break now and then, I don't think having more makes me happier.

Not sure if I agree with this. I'm doing pretty well financially, with all of the above well covered. But enough more to be able to afford to charter private jets, have a cook/chef, hire actually competent landscapers, things like that, would make me significantly happier. I'm content, but more money (lottery style) could improve things.

 

[audreyh1]

Not sure if I agree with this. I'm doing pretty well financially, with all of the above well covered. But enough more to be able to afford to charter private jets, have a cook/chef, hire actually competent landscapers, things like that, would make me significantly happier. I'm content, but more money (lottery style) could improve things.

One problem is that you’d want to find an individual or management company to do all that for you because otherwise you’d have a job hiring and supervising a lot of people and scheduling travel.

 

[O2Bfree]

This is a common misquote. I have seen the actual document and it actually says "purfuit of happineff". We apparently have lost the meaning of that archaic phrase.

I'm reading that as the "parfait of have-enough." Sounds right to me!

 

[Letj]

Not sure if I agree with this. I'm doing pretty well financially, with all of the above well covered. But enough more to be able to afford to charter private jets, have a cook/chef, hire actually competent landscapers, things like that, would make me significantly happier. I'm content, but more money (lottery style) could improve things.

Isn’t either you’re happy or not? After all, more money can always improve things and make anyone more comfortable but does that translate to more happiness? I think it would be rather nice if I can have a personal chef, hair stylist, mansion in the mountains or beach, personal assistant, my own helipad to take me to my luxurious private jet, a house with a staff in various places where who’s who congregate. Well you get my drift. However, that sounds like a lot of work and attention from other people (I hate the limelight). I am already deliriously happy being retired and living my best life.

 

[street]

As did I, well not all but most of it, and very great full for it. I remember my Stepfather waiting for us kids to eat 1st to make sure we got to eat enough.

I spent 8 months living out of a backpack doing little odd and end jobs to make a few bucks. It seemed everywhere I turned was a dead end. What gets me today is that I never stood someplace with a sign. Many meals got provided for helping clean up at night. Plenty of couple day labor at many different jobs. Learned a lot... work experiences, about people, and about myself.

That is interesting old medic. We both found our way some just don't. You had what it took and worked to where you are today. Very humbling story!!

 

[harley]

Isn’t either you’re happy or not? After all, more money can always improve things and make anyone more comfortable but does that translate to more happiness? I think it would be rather nice if I can have a personal chef, hair stylist, mansion in the mountains or beach, personal assistant, my own helipad to take me to my luxurious private jet, a house with a staff in various places where who’s who congregate. Well you get my drift. However, that sounds like a lot of work and attention from other people (I hate the limelight). I am already deliriously happy being retired and living my best life.

There's happy, happier, happiest (probably unachievable). As long as I'm this scale, which I am, I'm good. But the thread is about money making you happier. I believe it does, well beyond the $75K range. Probably incrementally. I'm very happy for the most part. It would take a ton more money to move the scale. But it's definitely doable, at least for me.

 

[O2Bfree]

One factor in whether or not money can buy happiness is whether or not you and your partner are on the same page financially. You can have a lot of dough, but if your partner is digging in their financial heels regarding spending, or wanting to buy frivolous, unnecessary things or things that might require unwise or unsustainable changes in your lifestyle, then lots of money may get you lots of stress and friction.

 

[old medic]

Yes, I can picture it, even before watching this movie by Mel Brooks: "Life Stinks!"
These were good memories for you because you survived and prospered by perseverance, but what if you did not? Well, sometimes one failed despite his most valiant effort,

Haven't thought of that movie in many years... need to see it again...
My Grandfather always said... Everyone falls from time to time, as long as you get up back up.

 

[old medic]

That is interesting old medic. We both found our way some just don't. You had what it took and worked to where you are today. Very humbling story!!

Thanks... Its been one h377 of an interesting ride that's for sure.