Does money buy happiness?

Many people think that they would be happier if they would have more money. But is that true? In this article the answer to this question is given.

Research shows that it’s partly true. A certain income is necessary to meet the basic needs, because the reverse is also true: a lack of money makes people unhappy. Suitable housing, enough food, clothing, gas, water and electricity are things no one can do without. Till the ceiling of income of 58,000 Euros it seems to be that happiness does increase when the income rises, but that doesn’t count when the income is higher than those 58,000 Euros. That is because people adapt to their income. When people make more money, they will spend more too. Rich people buy things that only cause a temporary happy feeling. For example: the happiness of a new, expensive car goes down after a while. Then it has become normal to possess the car and to drive in it.

Greediness

Beside this it’s known that people will never be satisfied with what they have got, whether they are rich or poor. Rich people too are aiming for more, instead of being happy with what they have got. When they possess 2 million, they want to have 10 million, when they possess 30 million, they want to have 100 million. Greediness doesn’t make people happy.

Competition

People also compare themselves to people around them. First they compared themselves with friends, now they look at people who are listed in Forbes. Rich people live in rich neighbourhoods with people who are even richer than they are, so they are not content, because they want to exceed their neighbours. No matter how rich you are, when your neighbour is richer, you won’t be happy.

Stress

Furthermore richness causes more stress, because people have sorrows which they wouldn’t have if they were poorer. They might have to deal with people in their surroundings who want to take advantage of them, there can be a bigger chance that they will be kidnapped and they can lose more than others can. They also have to pay more tax, which isn’t nice for anyone, expect for the tax collectors office.

Success

Often it is not the money that makes you happy, but the success. The fact that you are valued as a businessman or an enterpriser and that you are able to act competent, makes you a lot happier than the money itself does.

Lifestyle

Money does not change you as a person; only your lifestyle changes. When you suddenly earn a lot of money, it does not make you more intelligent, healthy or talented. But it can make your life easier, because you are financial independent, so you don't have work for your money anymore. Then you have more time to take piano lessons for example, or to make a beautiful journey, or to learn a foreign language. This personal development can make you happier.

Conclusion

Money is only one of the elements that make us happy, next to friendship, love, healthiness, personal development and freedom. Apart from the last one, these elements have nothing to do with money. Money buys happiness till a certain point, because when we are poor, we are not happy. But happiness knows its limit. Rolling in the stuff is not necessary to make you happy, but to paddle in it, is.

Sources: www.todio.nl