Money doesn't buy happiness

posted March 27th, 2017 at 8:58 AM

I've come to realization that money doesn't buy happiness. I grew up poor...like really poor. Went to college, worked at a coffee shop to fund my education, got a job, went up the ranks. Met my partner, got married, etc. Both of our careers are doing well. We make 500k as a couple. We're more comfortable, but I don't feel any more happy now than when we both made 80k combined. When I was young, I daydreamed some day of being rich...we'll here we are, and I'm like meh. I'm going to get some heat for this confession from people who think I'm a douche and not grateful (which I am), but I now know that more money doesn't neccesarily make you more happy.

16 Comments

Hey OP

Mar 27, 2017 at 1:21pm

Got any jobs available?
(that don't require a degree)

Felix

Mar 27, 2017 at 1:30pm

Hmmm.

My wife and I have a combined income of about $28,000 a year. Own a Vancouver house, a new truck, go to Europe every two years. Happy as clams at high tide.

I guess you're right.

Money

Mar 27, 2017 at 2:07pm

No, money doesn't buy happiness. However money can make unhappiness kind of comfortable.

What WILL make you happy

Mar 27, 2017 at 2:49pm

is helping others. Consider donating some of the money that isn't helping your happiness to a social service. There is a lot of need out there.

So...

Mar 27, 2017 at 3:26pm

How exactly does someone with such appalling spelling and grammar skills manage to attain the high income you have? Genuinely curious.

70,000$

Mar 27, 2017 at 6:48pm

they say that until you reach that, money can affect your happiness. after that, it doesn't matter if you make 100k or 10 billion.

but i agree with the other poster that it can make your unhappiness more comfortable.

So while doesn't buy happiness

Mar 27, 2017 at 7:46pm

It can alleviate unhappiness pertaining to stress stemming from financial woes.

It also enables a lifestyle that is conducive to happiness. For example the ability to go on lavish holidays, the ability to raise ones kids I'm good private education, the ability to afford private medical care, the ability to help others in need (commonly sited my psychotherapists as being one of the most powerful remedies for depression), the ability to buy property close to ones work place (again, studies have found that long commutes can have a significant negative impact on ones mental health), the freedom to make life changes when your current situation is impacting you negatively (say an unfulfilling job) with little reprecussion.

I feel like I could list plenty more. A little caveat I grew up a son of two medical professionals with sizable incomes and a lot of creature comforts. While my own current wages are by no means limited, I don't have quite the security I was afforded growing up and I have found that I do struggle, and as a result, stress a fair bit more.

So in conclusion. Money can indeed buy happiness, an unpopular statement to make, but with conditions applied. That being, if your sources of stress, anxiety and depression directly correlated to your financial troubles.

Nice

Mar 28, 2017 at 6:02am

I think confessions like yours are important for people to see.

I decided to work freelance so I can go on 2 or 3 vacations a year. I pay very high rent but besides that don't have a lot of other bills. Not having the work stress or constant commitment of 9-5 is most important to me and my partner and I are truly happy.

For years i've seen people really stressing out about making LOTS of money, practically killing themselves working all hours, and not seeing their families, missing out on kids growing up etc.. I've always wondered, is it really worth it?

Original poster

Mar 28, 2017 at 6:18am

To answer your question about my spelling and grammar: I'm actually not that great at it. English is my 2nd language. I'm above average in intelligence, but not Einstein. If you're wondering how I attained a high income: lots of hard work, some luck and I married well. Trust me, some days I wonder how the heck did I get here?