Posted on 07/31/2006 2:23:39 PM PDT by MooseMan
I'd be the last person to tell you that money can buy happiness, but I'm fascinated by recent reports insisting that money isn't a major factor in whether or not people are happy.
Please.
Positive psychology (that's what academicians call the study of human happiness) is a hot field of research, and the folks at the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania have come up with an interesting questionnaire that's been getting a lot of press.
Yet nowhere in the 24-question Authentic Happiness Inventory does the issue of money -- or, more important, our desire for financial security -- merit a mention. Hmm.
A Conspicuous Omission
Given how expensive our lives are, how can money not be a factor? We have huge mortgages and tapped-out home equity lines of credit weighing on us. College tuition bills have never been more daunting. Our employers are less likely to give us a defined benefit pension, so the onus is on us -- and our 401(k)s -- to figure out how we'll be able to afford retirement. If we're lucky enough to get health insurance through our employer, the trend is for each of us to be responsible for a greater portion of the bill.
I would love to live in a world where authentic happiness was achievable solely from the richness of relationships, but I'm a realist. And the reality I see -- and that so many of you write to me about -- is one in which money plays into our ability to be truly happy.
Those studies show that being filthy rich doesn't ensure happiness, but that's not something most of us have to contend with.
Happiness Is Income-Sensitive
(Excerpt) Read more at finance.yahoo.com ...
I didnt ask my wife to stop spending moon crystals yesterday.
A dollar is a happiness measurement unit.
Having enough money to do things with is an important part of my happiness. I don't want money just to accumlate it, but if I didn't have some put away, I'd be less happy.
Its all relative though.
Some people need a million a year to be satisfied, others can live on a lot less.
Its having *enough* money to allow you to enjoy your life that counts.
Some people focus way too much on making lots of money instead of learning to live on less and enjoying things that don't cost money.
I still believe that someone making $52 million can be desperately unhappy..for example, if he was spending $60 million....
On the other hand, a guy making $100K and spending $80K and getting to fish, hunt, spend time with family, do a little traveling, enjoy some good books, etc... is much happier.
Its all relative. Yes, I need enough money for my family to eat, to have a small but comfortable house and to take a couple small trips per year. I also need to know I can retire someday with the same modest lifestyle. Otherwise, money doesn't matter a whit to my happiness. Honest.
The wretched existences some people lead, overspending on houses, cars, exotic vacations, etc., only to have terrible anxiety when the bills are due. Why?????
I'm poor, but for the most part, I'm happy with life. Happiness is an attitude, a choice. Most people just choose to be unhappy because they spend so much time thinking about the things they don't have, but wish they did. What a miserable way to go through life. Happiness comes from inside, not from one's checking account. Life is easier with money, I'll grant, but not necessarily happier.
Because....they are Democrats?
Also, if money wasn't important for happiness, why would the news publicize unemployment numbers? Those people should be the happiest of all with lots of time on their hands to be happy.
For the rest of you who don't think money is a factor in your happiness, I'll be glad to take donations while you prove your point...
Suze Orman is an ignorant wench ain't she?
"We have huge mortgages and tapped-out home equity lines of credit weighing on us. College tuition bills have never been more daunting. Our employers are less likely to give us a defined benefit pension, so the onus is on us -- and our 401(k)s -- to figure out how we'll be able to afford retirement. If we're lucky enough to get health insurance through our employer, the trend is for each of us to be responsible for a greater portion of the bill."
No, Suze, "we" don't. In fact, "we" do not even have a mortgage. The wife and I own free and clear with no "tapped-out home equity lines of credit weighing on us". "We" live within our means, which are modest but comfortable. I will hazard to bet that "We" are a hell of a lot more stress free (see happy) than some poor sap driving an hour each way into the city, making three times as much as us and up to his eyeballs in debt. "We" have a great health insurance program, and "we" realize that our employer is not responsible for our healthcare. As far as college tuition goes, it is affordable enough for those who really deserve to go to college, as in those who worked hard enough to get there and are willing to work their way through.
Happiest times in my life... (in the last week)
Walking with my wife to feed the horses and stopping to inspect her garden. $0
Putting a couple horses out to fresh pasture and watching them running around so happy they could not contain their bodily gasses. $0
Fabricating a step for my camper so we can get in without using the milk-crate. $0 (scrap materials)
Watching a red-tailed hawk swoop down on a rabbit. $0
Of course, I live in a beautiful nature reserve that cost $$$, but it is paid for cause I always spend less than I make.
Money is like Air or Love. Not really thought about when you have it, but desperately important when you don't.
I am so happy when I have lots of money.
You worry about different things when you have lots of money, but it really doesn't change anything inside.
And if you're wise you won't let it change too much outside either.
People say that "money can't buy happiness" and "the best things in life are free," but that's not necessarily true.
What are the best things in life? The laughter of a child? A C-section for our daughter cost $40K. The view from a mountaintop? You need money to get to the mountaintop, which can require airfare, car purchase or rental, hiking boots, and maybe glasses, contacts, or Lasik to be able to see it. The simple pleasure of reading a book can require some way to get to a library or bookstore. A gathering of friends around a fireplace in the evening? You have to have a fireplace, a chainsaw to cut up your wood or the ability to buy it pre-cut, the resources to buy food and wine for your friends.
Even health, one of life's great blessings, can only be maintained by the application of money. No, having a pleasant and happy life certainly requires some money.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.