Money Can't Purchase Happiness, However...

 Money Can't Purchase Happiness, However...

Once upon a time, the saying "money can't buy happiness" was just taken for granted. But a lot of study has come out of the years that tries to explain this old statement a bit better.

Recent research has shown that there is little to no difference in the amount of happiness that persons in different socioeconomic brackets report. The opposite is true in many parts of the world; those living in poverty tend to report higher levels of happiness. People who just have less frantic and materialistic lives than the majority of us in more industrialized settings are what I have in mind here, not those who are starving or in other catastrophic conditions.

There are a lot of hypotheses floating around, but one common belief is that when individuals are less well off, they tend to be happier overall because they have fewer worries and so need less material possessions to make them happy. Spending more time on family activities and other relationships is common among the less well-off since they have fewer possessions and fewer possibilities for amusement. Since marital and family relationships are associated with higher levels of happiness, some research has hypothesized that low-income families are happier overall because they are able to devote more time to spending quality time together. People aren't obligated to reside in impoverished nations, of course. Those living in poverty in developed nations, such as the US, have also reported these results.

The studies are plentiful; if you want to see them all, just type "money can't buy happiness" into your preferred search engine. So, I won't offer any specific references or numbers.

That doesn't mean you should actively seek for poverty if you're already wealthy; it just means you shouldn't expect to be pleased if you do. Furthermore, while the most of us have some idea of what it means to be poor, have you ever considered the possibility that the majority of us are completely clueless when it comes to the precise meaning of the word "rich"?

A large house and a fine car could make some people think that a person is "rich," but in reality, these things are usually better signs of debt than prosperity. A huge mortgage on a large home or a large monthly payment on a great car are signs of debt, not riches.

Similarly, there is a widespread belief that anybody with a salary beyond a particular level is considered "rich," particularly if that salary is higher than the so-called "magic" $100,000 per year. Not at all! Ask someone making $100,000 per year, and they'll tell you that the vast majority of individuals don't consider themselves wealthy.

Earnings can vary pretty high without a person being truly "rich" because most people who earn more tend to spend more.

The question therefore becomes: how exactly is wealth defined? In particular, I adore the one that Bill Cosby provided in response to a question posed by his kids on "The Cosby Show," his legendary television series that ran from 1984 to 1992. "People who are not rich work for their money, whereas rich people's money works for them," he told them when they broached the subject of wealth. Not only is it widely acknowledged as accurate, but it is also among the best definitions you will discover.

People who are wealthy work because they enjoy it, not because it's a necessity; this is one of the widely held beliefs about what it means to be wealthy.

Is the belief that money can't buy happiness still held? If it's true that those who spend the most time with their families tend to be the happy, then wouldn't it be great if, if you were financially able to do so, you could spend less time at work and have more quality time with your loved ones?

Another item to consider is this: I bet you didn't realize that most people who are really rich are entrepreneurs. The majority of millionaires (almost 70%) are also company owners.

Plus, did you know that having a prosperous home-based business can provide you a plethora of perks even if you don't have a fortune?

We already know that the thing that makes the majority of people happy is spending time with their loved ones. Owning a home business can offer you an additional source of income, which can decrease the necessity for you to work as many hours away from home. This means you can spend more time with your family or engage in other activities that bring you joy if your current job or occupation requires you to travel frequently or has long hours.

Maintaining excellent health ranks high among the factors that contribute to an individual's sense of well-being. Indeed, the vast majority of individuals would choose good health above wealth if given the choice. Money is nothing if it can't buy you good health, isn't it?

Did you know that the majority of people's health is directly proportional to their income? For example, low-income families often struggle to afford the food and nutrition their members need to stay in peak physical and mental health. Similarly, they may struggle to pay for the high-quality medical insurance that is necessary to guarantee that their members receive the treatment they need in the event of an emergency or illness.

Freedom of choice is one of the many things that money may purchase. Those who are financially well-off can buy whatever they want, while those who are less fortunate have to settle for what they can afford. Wealthy people not only have the means to purchase the most comprehensive health insurance plans, but they also usually have greater freedom of choice in the providers and facilities they visit for medical treatment. Those who are financially strapped could not have health insurance at all, or their choices might be severely limited.

Of course, the food we eat is also a major factor in our overall health. Do you ever pause to think about how much more affordable and convenient junk food is compared to the high-quality foods that have been shown to be good for our health?

In comparison to less nutritious options, such as potato chips, snack meals, junk food, and so on, fresh fruits and vegetables tend to be more expensive. Less fatty, higher-quality cuts of beef tend to cost more. There is a price premium for produce that is cultivated organically. It is often known that individuals with higher levels of education and income tend to eat healthier, have better health insurance, and generally be in better physical and mental health. Happiness is a byproduct of good health. Is the belief that money can't buy happiness still held?

For many, feeling secure is one of the most important factors in determining their level of happiness. Fear is the polar opposite of safety, and as we'll see shortly, stress is directly tied to fear. Do you drive a car that isn't up to par and doesn't provide you with the level of safety you desire? Houses that are well-built and well-maintained often have better security and comfort features than those that are not. People are less likely to be pleased if they are unable to live in the kind of house and community that they desire.

We've covered some of the things that have been proven to increase happiness by studies across the board; now let's talk about stress, one of the main factors that might bring about negative emotions.

People experience negative emotions and physical health problems as a result of stress. Health issues may arise as a result of stress.

A person's stress level rises in direct proportion to their wealth. And, naturally, there are others who can never be happy. They appear to bring more trouble upon themselves as their income rises, as the more they spend, the more they need to worry about. That, however, is by no means an exhaustive list of all monetary activities.

More money can directly translate to reduced financial stress, except those who are never happy and always have more than enough. Happiness is the result of reduced stress.

Stress levels are likely to be higher for those who are perpetually living paycheck to paycheck or who do not have the funds to cover their expenses.

Of course, having more money means you can treat yourself to more luxurious things, which means less stress, more enjoyment, and greater physical health.

People look up to celebrities and the wealthy because they seem so much younger than they actually are. Ignoring the effects of plastic surgery, it's mostly because of the benefits listed before. Famous people usually get what they want in life and live lavishly. A more relaxed life with less stress, better diet, and less wrinkles :)

The people who declare, "money can't buy happiness," are usually the ones who have never had or don't have any. How else could they possibly know? Even when the wealthy may tell you things like, "money can't buy happiness," they're just as likely to remark, "rather be with it than without it," right after that.

Do you still believe that material wealth cannot purchase contentment? Maybe you should reconsider if that's the case...


No way!

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