Money Really Can't Buy Happiness
It's an old adage that's floated around for years, but now we finally have scientific data to back it up: money really can't buy happiness. A study published in the June 30th issue of the journal Science says that income really doesn't have much impact at all on a person's daily happiness level. The study goes on to say that the more money people have the tenser they tend to be and the less time they spend on simple leisure activities.
So although most people (myself included) tend to think that having just a little more money would go a long ways towards reducing stress levels, it might not be as green as we think on the other side of that fence.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kate Jul 2nd 2008 12:54PM
Oh please. I've done both, and I can say without any hesitation that I am infinitely happier being able to fly last minute to Europe than I was when I had to avoid answering the phone because my credit cards were in default and I couldn't pay my $500/mo. rent.
People are happier when they can have what they want, and most people want more things than they can have with $20,000. The problem is that they want more than they can have with $100,000, too, so the improvement in income doesn't translate to a linear improvement in happiness levels. People who make $100,000 are probably more ambitious and less likely to be content with life as they have it, too. The benchmarking is just crazy here.
Does anyone realistically think two people who make half a million a year are going to have the same stresses and anxieties as two people who live on $20,000 a year, all other factors staying the same? It's silly. Give me fuzzy statistics and the ability to ask fuzzy questions, and I can get any answer for you you want.
Scott Ahrens Jul 2nd 2008 7:54PM
I believe that money that is earned honestly and spent with a good Intention does create a happier person. Not just because they have money but that they are doing something good and noble and increasing self-esteem by doing these actions.
Money that is earned for the sake of earning money is not going to create happiness.
Scott Ahrens for Internal Energy Plus
divaliscious11 Jul 2nd 2008 9:45PM
Money doesn't buy happiness...but it sure makes miserable a lot more comfortable!
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