I hear people say it all the time. I never think anything of it. I just immediately nod my head in agreement. Then that point of the conversation is over with.
I never hear people fight the statement or really just stop and think about it. I mean, yeah, it probably can’t buy some people happiness, depending on the reasons they aren’t happy to begin with.
Say you had millions of your currency.
Don’t like your job? Quit! You have money.
Don’t like your current living space, if any? Buy your dream home! You have money.
Don’t like the country/area you live in? Move! You have money.
Worried you can’t pay your bills? Nevermore! You have money.
You can’t go see your family or vice versa? Go see them! You have money.
You want better for your family but you can’t contribute? Now you can! You have money.
Wish you could donate to places/people? Give them all you wish! You have money.
Etc, etc, etc.
Now I understand some things you can’t get away from or you can’t change them, but wouldn’t it be a lot nicer if money was one less thing you had to deal with? I think it would make my anxiety nearly non-existent. Plus the fact I could help a lot of people out of bad situations/lives.
Maybe I’m just greedy.
9 comments
I often find people who say this are either people with money, or people who just heard it on some after school special or from someone else and never really stopped to think about it. Sure, maybe money cant buy happiness direct, wholesale. The thing I always think though, and basically what you’ve said in your post is that well it may not be able to buy happiness, it can buy opportunity.
With money, you can do just about whatever you want, or at least get yourself into the situations in which can lead to a more contented and happy life. Like you pointed out, don’t like where you live? Move somewhere else. Bored and lonely? Go on an adventure or vacation.
So well I agree that perhaps money in and of itself cannot buy EVERYONE happiness directly(I emphasize everyone, because I feel I’d be pretty happy with bottomless pockets going around buying whatever I want without having to worry about cost. I’ve been there for very very brief periods, though in a limited fasion, and I was pretty damn happy and content), it can damn right afford(lol) you the opportunities to change your life and bring you closer to those less tangible things that DO make you happy. If you don’t have anything that makes you happy, money would make it a hell of a lot easier to find things. But yes, I’d be much happier if I was rich, as 90% of the problems and stress I currently face stems from monetary problems, as I’m sure many can relate.
Also I agree with your sentiment about anxiety, mine would be nearly non existent were money never to be an issue again. Though I’d probably end up a crazy off the grid drug fiend or a crazy off the grid philanthropist, or both.
While money wouldn’t make me happy (money can’t cure my depression and anxiety and certainly wouldn’t have stopped my ex-fiance from leaving me) but I can certainly think/know of situations where it can.
I have a friend who has to live with her “husband” (they’re broken up but can’t legally get divorced without living apart) She has a ton of health issues and they’re struggling to support their kids. Money would help all of these issues.
My best friend might even still be alive if she had had money. She was so stressed with working two jobs and still barely supporting herself. She was also depressed but didn’t have the money to be able to see any doctors about it. If she had, she might’ve recovered from the depression and wouldn’t have killed herself.
If there are any frighteningly rich people reading this, I would like to test the theory that money can’t buy me happiness…
So mail a money order, cash or t-bills to:
Hazy Chicken and Escargot farm
6969 lost mind road
Way too warm in December, Texas 78887-OMG USA
I also would like money. So if youre rich enough send us both money. Hell id settle for a few thousand. Im sure it can buy happiness if used properly and fame isnt in the equation.
Best. Experiment. Ever.
I think you’ve been tricked into believe the myth that anyone earnestly defends or espouses that statement.
*believing
Studies show (I can’t post links you’ll just have to google it) that happiness increases with income up to $(us)70,000 per year and then evens out (2010). So money does bring happiness but more money doesn’t bring more happiness.