Can Money Buy You Happiness?

Many have studied the link between money and happiness – and many different opinions have resulted. Statistics show that household income plays a direct role in a person’s emotional happiness and quality of life. Those statistics aren’t wrong – money can make a tremendous difference in your quality of life, and that fact alone can make you happy and provide a sense of well-being.

You’ll be less stressed and anxious about the future if you have money saved and money can give you the power to do things you might miss without it. But, unless other areas of your life are making you happy, it’s doubtful that having an excess income will change your life for the better. One reason that money may not be the ultimate tool to make you happy is that when you do have riches, you’re bound to find someone with more money than you – especially when you travel in affluent circles. Then, you fail in the comparison and become unhappy because you don’t have more.

Another reason is that making more money doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll enjoy your life more. You may have to spend even more time working to keep those riches or to increase what you have. It can be an illusion to think that a job or promotion that brings in more income will be used to have fun and relax.
A new home or car brings only fleeting times of happiness. One luxurious possession leads to another – you work more to make more and you end up in a vicious circle of spending more time to make more money.

Most people today understand that more money, a luxurious home, and car, and world-wide travels won’t bring them the ultimate happiness they desire. So, why do people work so hard to achieve and buy more things?

The truth is that when you achieve a certain status that brings about an income that lets you purchase things, you become satisfied that you’ve reached that level. Now, you can be proud, because the “things” show that you’ve arrived.

But, without good health of yourself and those you love, those things will never bring true happiness. And, when other areas of your life, such as your self-esteem, body image, and relationships aren’t going well, no amount of money will help you to be happy.
Take some time to learn what really makes you happy. Money may not have as much a part of it as you think. When you know what will bring happiness to your life, you can begin to pursue it effectively.