Do you think money can buy happiness?

~Oh then I guess that I will have to rent it?

Basics like food, shelter and security are required to spend money on. All the rest that are free are required to go beyond that.

No it can’t, but not enough money can certainly buy tragedy.

Yes. It’s pretty damn obvious that money, or at least more than a sufficient amount of money, can make you happier.

Imagine not having to stress about bills and rent/mortgage. Imagine just being able to go wherever you like and do whatever you like, because you can afford it.

Want to do something fun but costly? No problem. Go ahead and have that fun.

Want to eat well? Well, that costs money. Have all that organic unprocessed food cooked well without a thought.

Want to be healthy? Not worrying about money will lower you stress levels, and you can afford that gym membership or personal trainer, fitness classes, yoga, etc.

Experiences and goods become accessible because you can afford them.

The only thing is is I wouldn’t recommend buying a submarine trip to see the Titanic.

Not directly. I’ve known a number of very rich people who were miserable, lonely, horrible people.

Then again, I’ve known lots of poor to middle-class folk who are equally miserable, lonely, horrible people.

Difference is, the rich folks don’t lay awake at night stressing over how to pay their water bill.

The question is too simplistic. No, technically it can’t buy happiness, but as others have mentioned, it’s necessary to live. If you’re very poor, you’re likely miserable every single day. BUT…being rich doesn’t mean you’re happy every single day. It can mean that you have a much better chance at being happy because you have your basic needs met.

Ask that question of yourself when you have less than $10 to your name and absolutely NO prospects of getting more. Been there, done that.

When I did CPS work, I had clients who lived in shitty apartments, threadbare furniture, shitty landlords, had no cars so they had to take the bus with their baby strollers and bags, had no spare money to go out for anything, had never in their entire lives been on a vacation. Maybe they would go now and then to a lake when others were having a picnic or a party, but no vacations the way most people think of a vacation. Their lives seemed so bleak. Money doesn’t buy happiness but in the case of some people, it would certainly elevate their lives a few notches.

Money can’t buy happiness, but it can spare you a lot of misery. And of course, poverty can’t buy you anything.

No. Happiness is not derived from having money. The goal simple goal of wanting money is a never ending cycle that actually depletes you of true happiness.

I think having “enough” money makes happiness a lot easier to attain, but when you start getting into obscene wealth, most of those people are miserable.

By “enough” I’m saying your basics are met and you don’t have to worry about healthcare, an emergency, a comfortable retirement, housing, childcare, college for your kids, enough money to go on nice vacations a few times per year, eat good food, enjoy leisure activities, hobbies, and attend events for entertainment. That’s an extremely comfortable lifestyle that should be more than sufficient for any human. Beyond that, you’re not getting any happier, you’re just getting more ostentatious.

Yes it can. At minimum it can buy you safety, better health, and some fun and meaningful experiences. Money is no substitute for love and having people surrounding you who fulfill your life, but not enough money for basics is incredibly stressful. Having enough money for basics, but still dependent on working every day to pay for the necessities is still stressful. When you have extra money and feel secure for your future you are free. Free to do what you want. Free not to work. Free to travel.

Telling people money doesn’t matter in American society is a way for the rich to convince the poor they are somehow lucky not to have money. They should be happy with what they have been given and be quiet.

We can be happy without a lot of money, but enough money to reduce worry helps. People who are worried are generally shorter tempered and all sorts of negatives and so when you have that in your family it can be exhausting and stressful. Don’t get me wrong, people with money can be terrible. Money can come with its own stressors too.

We should not compare money to people. It’s a given that people are important for happiness.

I remember when I was young, in my late teens and early 20s, I had very limited money. Always I had bills that I couldn’t pay- car insurance, stuff like that. It was very stressful and anxiety-causing.

It depends entirely on context. It can remedy so many issues, that happiness can said to be achieved by the alleviation of all of those stressors caused by lack of means..

The actual having of the money, in and of itself, won’t buy happiness. The basic crap that happens in dysfunctional families, still happens, and can be exaggerated by the lack of other things to focus on.

Being able to afford to live decently and safely is an excellent start, and is probably a source of happiness when achieved after having been unable to.

So, for many, I guess so.

But by no means does it “buy happiness” in general.

Of course it can, at least for most people. Imagine removing the stress involved with not having it while having enough to have the ability to live your life how you want.

I will say this though. Billions in the bank are meaningless when you’re trapped inside a can at the bottom of the ocean. Except, if those billionaires were penniless refugees trying to escape a bad situation we would not see such a rescue effort.

I’m certainly willing to give it a try!

@Blackwater_Park
That’s a great response. The reason I asked this question was to actually see if anyone disagrees.
I myself agree. I agree with all the people saying that money can allow you easy access to all your necessities and also takes away anxiety and pressure.
But money also increases consumerism.
So I feel as if it’s safe to say that money is something fundamental to human existence. It is a means of easing difficulties but also a means of enhancing the social divide.

I think money provides more opportunities for happiness, certainly no guarantees. Such as food, education, activities, healthcare, environment, etc…