Whoever said, “money can’t buy happiness” is either poor or wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. The incessant amount of studies by researchers trying to prove money can’t buy happiness is simply a result of the researcher’s own poverty or unhappiness. Because they are financially mediocre, researchers are trying to console themselves that it’s OK not being wealthy.
Generally, researchers have a higher sense of self because they have more educational training. Hence, it tears them up when they see other “lesser beings” make more than them. Meanwhile, those who continue to highlight research stating that money can’t buy happiness are trying to justify their own financially unspectacular selves as well!
You see, the financially mediocre are all in cahoots with each other. They’ve banded together to proclaim that being middle class regular people is good enough. It probably is good enough for most people, but not for these unsatisfied folks who think they are smarter and better than everyone else! If being middle class or poor was good enough, then they’d leave well enough alone and be happy with their financial mediocrity. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but swallow they must. Not everybody can make multiple six figures, live in million dollar houses, and pay cash for luxury automobiles. That’s just life and they are trying to bring you down. Don’t let them!
The Tricky Rich
On the flip side, you have the super rich who also say, “money can’t buy happiness.” They’ve got all the luxury in the world, with not an ounce of financial worry. It must be nice never having to budget during Christmas season. It must be nice going to $1,000/head charity galas and paying $200 for front row seats to watch the great Itzhak Perelman play violin. These types of people need to fight for the poor because otherwise, they’ll be deemed as greedy bastards.
The guilt factor the super rich have is enough to say statements such as, “The rich aren’t paying their fair share of taxes!” Even if you slapped a 99% marginal income tax rate on Warren Buffet, he still will make more than 99% of the world. Of course it’s OK to raise taxes when you have so much wealth! The super rich will lecture us to stop focusing so much on money and just following our dreams. Don’t listen to them for one bit! They’re just trying to win you over and pretend to be like one of you.
Definitely Happier With More Money
I don’t know about you, but I’m very happy making more than I did 10 years ago. 10 years ago, I was worried whether I could afford getting desert for two on a date. Now, the cost of a seven layer chocolate cake for $8.99 doesn’t even cross my mind, only the 5 miles I’ll have to run tomorrow instead.
10 years ago, I used to stress more at work because if I ever got fired, my safety net was as think as sheets of wet Kleenex! Now, I’m focused on all the good things at work and don’t worry about face time issues and work place politics. 10 years ago, I would never be able to consciously buy two round-trip tickets the day before to celebrate Valentines week in Hawaii. Now, I’m excited to go on more last minute adventures because experiences are what matter most!
The reason why money does buy happiness is because once you have money, you don’t worry about money anymore. All the stress that comes with a lack of money melts away. You’re not pissed at your friends for short-changing the pot during a group meal outing. You don’t care if you get a flat tire and have to spend $200 to replace. You’re just not worried anymore, and that feels fantastic!
Money also allows you to buy fantastic memories. Most would agree that your happiest moments are spent with friends and loved ones. If you have money to travel and be with those you care about, is that not happiness production? It absolutely is. What about all the fun times you had taking salsa lessons or playing tennis at the club? Not a cheap endeavor, but so fun, and made possible by money.
I got a stupid $110 parking ticket the other day as I was dropping my family off at the science museum. I was gone for just 5 minutes. In the past, I would have been pissed. Now, I think to my self, whatever.
On November 10, 2018, I had to take my son to the ER because he was vomiting due to some virus. The ER visit cost a $100 co-pay. I was glad to easily pay it to get access to treatment. Another example of how money reduces stress in an already stressful situation.
Money Does Buy Happiness
When people start telling you money can’t buy happiness, take a good hard look at their finances. They are likely telling you this because they don’t have much money themselves. They haven’t tasted the freedom money buys. And if they so happen to be research PhD’s, well you can forget about their advice right there. If they are super rich, then you know they are just trying to blend in and not look selfish.
Money can buy happiness because money buys peace of mind and opportunities for great experiences. Don’t be fooled by ego-consoling research and those who espouse! They are just trying to keep you from achieving your financial goals so they can feel better about themselves.
Recommendation To Build Wealth
Manage Your Money In One Place: Sign up for Personal Capital, the web’s #1 free wealth management tool to get a better handle on your finances. In addition to better money oversight, run your investments through their award-winning Investment Checkup tool to see exactly how much you are paying in fees. I was paying $1,700 a year in fees I had no idea I was paying.
After you link all your accounts, use their Retirement Planning calculator that pulls your real data to give you as pure an estimation of your financial future as possible using Monte Carlo simulation algorithms. Definitely run your numbers to see how you’re doing. I’ve been using Personal Capital since 2012 and have seen my net worth skyrocket during this time thanks to better money management.
Updated for 2019 and beyond.
Leave a Reply