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Mohammad Mohammadipour

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Can Money Buy Happiness?

Maybe more cash does make people happier. Especially salient are analyses done by University of Pennsylvania economists Daniel Sacks, Betsey Stevenson, and Justin Wolfers. In their updated 2010 study, “Subjective Well-Being, Income, Economic Development and Growth,” the three compare subjective well-being survey data from 140 countries with those countries' income and economic growth rates. The researchers find that within individual countries richer people are happier than poorer; people in richer countries are happier than people in poorer countries; and over time increased economic growth leads to increased happiness. “These results together suggest that measured subjective well-being grows hand in hand with material living standards,” they conclude..

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  • April Anonymous

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    Feb 27 2013: Money doesn't buy happiness, it buys comfort. When you're not worried about rent or food, you can focus your attention on what really makes you passionate and happy. However, sometimes you become addicted to building a higher living comfortability, and that is when it will never make you happy.

  • Camilla Cortney

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    Feb 27 2013: Money doesn't buy you happiness. It buys you security, a peace of mind.

  • A Tan

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    Feb 25 2013: Money is a conduit for engaging in the world. Although happiness itself cannot be purchased, being able to fully engage in the experiences that make us happy will inevitably require money, whether it means being able to afford the time off or the gas to get there or the entrance fee. I don't think this is a bad thing though. I have worked hard to get where I am. And, although I love my job, what I've really worked for is the privilege of giving myself and my family the opportunity to engage in the world, to have the experiences that we want without having to worry about affording heat-electricity-a balanced meal. Money is a way of trading my expertise for summers on the beach, hikes in the woods, afternoons playing hide and go seek. Yes, money can buy happiness, but only if you truly spend it on what matters.

  • Sam Austin

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    Feb 25 2013: I think that money can buy happiness, if you use it the right way. Money can buy security for your future, which is key to happiness. So that is a plus, but if all you do with the money is to buy loads and loads of toys and work all hours to buy new toys, then that is not happiness (unless you really love working). Money used the right way is knowledge that you will be able to eat, don't have to worry about the future, and can take time to look after your family if they need it.

  • edulover learner 10+

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    Feb 25 2013: Can money buy happiness?In my understanding of life I think money can't buy happiness.Actually the instinct of happiness comes from love.I appreciate the saying:when love appears in heart,all troubles and problems disappear,of course full of happiness in our bodies too.That's obvious:can we buy love with money?Happiness belongs to spiritual issue.Money can reduce your worrying,anxietyof being hungry.But can't make your spiritual world rich.Being happy is a lifelong studying.Being content in the every moment you enjoy.Being gratitude to all u have:parents,family members,friends...you will feel happy always...none business with money.If you don't understand what I meant,it means u need to keep on studying:).
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      Mohammad Mohammadipour

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      Feb 25 2013: "If you don't understand what I meant,it means u need to keep on studying:)."



      ....

  • George QT

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    Feb 25 2013: In order to respond that question, you must ask yourself, what is indispensable for any human being to be happy... I know people how is happy without a house, a car, an iPad, a fridge, a washing machine, and I pretty sure any one can give us an example of someone who is happy without whatever material object I may think of, so let's go to the really basic: food and health. I do not think anyone can give me an example of someone how is happy and at the same time hungry. I also don't think anyone can give me an example of someone who is happy and at the same time suffering of a bad pain.

    Money won't buy me happiness, but it will buy me food and it can ensure health for me and my family. I thing the worries about not being able to feed you family and provide it with health is what prevents most people from being happy. So an increase in your income obviously reduces you worries about food and health so you can spend more energy on happiness.
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      Mohammad Mohammadipour

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      Feb 25 2013: "I know people how is happy without a house, a car, an iPad, a fridge, a washing machine, and I pretty sure any one can give us an example of someone who is happy without whatever material object ''..

      Do you...
      like?..!...

  • Alex Alcala

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    Feb 24 2013: Being the state of mind happiness an absolute subjective matter, even in relation to other's happiness origintated from the subjective action, I risk to say that contributes greatly to the widespread concept of happiness, the acquisition of goods and services converted into comfort and security are a prime reflection of happiness, although success is not directly related always with economic well being. The answer at most is poor due to the subjective nature of the concept, however the issues of health, feeding, protection from nature, and several other goods and services can (almost always) be acquired with the use of currency, therefore happiness is in some way or another achieved through these avenue. Can a person be happy and not have the basic necessities of life? is hard but occurs in some extreme circumstances, however the subjective perception of such happiness is distortioned as of the standard of happiness has become in our times. Historically the concept of happiness has suffered substantial changes and mostly also in the own ethereal nature of the person's mind, happiness can be a state of mind for a second and dissipate instantly. In my humble conclusion: happiness does not exist as a generalized concept that can be defined absolutely or that can be represented in a societal structure due to its economic condition, there is no relation (almost always) with the economic condition but with the acquisition of the basic needs of life, hence having too much money can be happiness for one and a penny can be happiness for another one (if that penny can buy the basic needs of that human for a second or a minute).
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    Keddy Moise

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    Feb 23 2013: Money is important to have access to various things considered to be basic needs. When you have theses things and they are secured, more money will not add to happiness level. On the contrary, it can deteriorate it. I think that we should consider the Aristotle's concept of the golden mean i-e the right amount of everything. That right amount of money can vary from people to people because no one is perfectly like any other. And people's need vary. Accumulating money for it's own sake will not make anyone happier but using it to satisfy one's basic and superior needs is a good path to happiness.

  • Conor Corrigan

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    Feb 22 2013: Absolutely. No doubt about it. Money cannot, however, buy positivity, conscientiousness, love, goodness, righteousness, and kindness. These things also can produce happiness. Share some.

  • Tom Crosby

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    Feb 21 2013: The thought occurred to me the other day that money allows more people to survive. Most people are very far removed from a homesteading lifestyle that allows them to survive through their direct interaction with the land/sea/atmosphere., so money is the system that sustains their existence. Several comments below speak to individual happiness being a matter of outlook, but first basic needs must be met. There are several theories that relate to the evolution of a well balanced life and happiness (Maslow, Erickson .. to name a couple), and these start with ones meeting basic needs and developing a feeling of security. My initial thought linking money to population increase took me to the weird thought that the money that provides the basic needs and security that form the platform from which happiness can be constructed for the millions of people who work in war related industries brings misery to millions of other people.
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      Mohammad Mohammadipour

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      Feb 25 2013: Dear Tom
      I love your perspective...

      "took me to the weird thought that the money that provides the basic needs and security that form the platform from which happiness can be constructed for the millions of people who work in war related industries brings misery to millions of other people."

      Kind regards

  • Jim Smithson 10+

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    Feb 20 2013: Money is not a cause of happiness, but it is an enabler. Money can reduce the number of worries and distractions in life and a healthy supply of it from a source other than hard work does provide time to think and contemplate

  • Susan Mazer

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    Feb 20 2013: I am not sure the question makes sense. Happiness is a state of being. Money is symbolically our economic security. So the question should be,perhaps, Does being financially secure make us happy? Hmm. Its all relative. For example, financial insecurity is a distraction and undermines the capacity to be present...it is scary; it causes anxiety. It is worrisome. And this does not mean that being financially secure is the opposite... Rather, maybe financial security is a zero...we are not distracted my financial insecurity. That said, we can track all recent headlines regarding richest of families being embroiled in lawsuits, domestic abuse, addiction...and misery.

    My thinking, therefore, is that money does not do anything. But, the lack of it does alot.

  • Pedram Rouhi

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    Feb 19 2013: "Can money buy happiness?" I personally am not sure about that, but the idea of amount of happiness between developed countries and poor countries. The revolution in technology which began by Internet in 1950 made more connection between people around the world. Expectations of people who live in poor countries, are going to be more than before by seeing the matter of quality of high-level life in rich countries. In fact, welfare loss in societies that members of those societies are dealing with economy issues, while they are working as well as and as much as rich countries is the cause of existing these expectations.
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    David Hubbard

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    Feb 19 2013: True happiness comes from the natural joy that is in all people at birth. As we face more unhappy events, that natural joy diminishes. The negative we face, blinds us to our true joyfull, loving nature and our mind becomes filled with confusion. We can re-find our inner joy by getting free if the past infuences, which is done by focusing on the present, existing as a part of the One Life, rather than all of a temporary self. Peace is now. Love is now. Joy is now.
    An enlightened person, aware of their essence is consciuos present time Being can only be peaceful, loving and Joyful

    • edulover learner 10+

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      Feb 25 2013: Hi David Hubbard,I agree what u said.Being the things we have now,that's the most important:).
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        Mohammad Mohammadipour

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        Feb 25 2013: "Being the things we have now"

        Is it!...?..

        • edulover learner 10+

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          Feb 25 2013: yes,and stay in being to enjoy life now.recommend a spiritual book to u:the power of now.wish u like it.:)
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      Mohammad Mohammadipour

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      Feb 25 2013: "True happiness comes from the natural joy that is in all people at birth"

      How?..

  • Mathew Conley

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    Feb 19 2013: Were people ever happy before money was around?

    • Alex Alcala

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      Feb 24 2013: Hard to know, money (currency for exchange or consideration in exchange) has been with us since the beginning of times. Money does not entail Jefferson photo in a piece of paper or JuliusCaesar in a bronze coin not even a pack of wheat, means a consideration for exchange of other goods, value in exchange for vlaue, hence money was not invented but iis part of a path to civillized exhange of goods instead of killing each other for it, therefore since ancient times we learned to exchange goods and became part of our way of life, in sum..money..now has people been happy before and after the use fo value for exchange? yes.

  • büşra abc

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    Feb 17 2013: First of all, we must to talk about resource of happiness. I think, main resource of it is inner peace and emotional calm and they derive from spirituality. If a person gets satisfactory answers to his or her questions about life and death, this provides him resource of happiness. In addition, if he has a good family and friends, they all increase the happines. Then, -regarding the main question- money is a part of happiness. With money, you can buy somethings that make you, family and friends happy, take care of your health and etc. Thus, your happines increases.
    In conclusion, only money can not buy it but it can increase, I think.

    • edulover learner 10+

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      Feb 25 2013: 'only money can not buy it but it can increase',to some extent,it is right.but money can destory happiness too.So well-educated is the most important.If people don't know where comes the happiness yet.It is the time to push u back to study.
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      Mohammad Mohammadipour

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      Feb 25 2013: what shall we study edulover?...!....what are your educational resources?

  • Robert Vigerious

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    Feb 16 2013: As a matter of fact, in the current society money does buy happiness. Every minute.

    Whoever says the contrary shall cut down his entire in/out flows of money from his life starting from tomorrow, just to see how much his happiness really depends on that. Oh, you should obviously not lean against anything you purchased with money in the past, of course. That would be cheating: instead of relying on a purchase made today, you rely on a purchase made in the past. Nor lean against the money or possession of other people, naturally.

    Don't want to call it money? Call it possession, acquisition, ownership.

    Of course there are psychological and spiritual aspects to be considered too, since humans with a *certain* level of acquired happiness can start living on a different level of existence. But why does this topic always go so very far away from the real human being who is speaking? It looks like it's so damn easy to forget who we are and what we are doing in our every single day.

    And before pointing out that "what you buy is not true happiness but basilar needs", note that:
    - unsatisfied basilar needs = TRUE unhappiness, I guarantee you by experience.
    - you're just stating that *for you* those basilar needs are no more enough to feel happy. I know people who would be filled with immense joy for several days in your place.

    Naive? Yes. But sometimes one has to be like that, when idealization goes so far away from reality.

    Of course if you happen to have just too much money for your own real need of happiness, then the statement "money doesn't buy happiness" is magically true. But now you should know what to do with your surplus: give it away. Unless you're a penny pincher! ;-)

    >> This post is an intellectual provocation, and should be taken as such. No one really expects human beings from being so pure to really become consistent to this simple truth. And I purposely neglected other important aspects involved, many of which already on this page.

    • Mathew Conley

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      Feb 17 2013: However, many people who barely have the means to meet their basic needs happen to be extremely happy. It's a choice, being hungry to the point of pain is uncomfortable, scary, etc. However, the choice remains it's just harder to make. Once basic needs (not wants) are met happiness becomes an easier choice if you want it too.
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      Colleen Steen 500+

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      Feb 17 2013: Dear Robert,
      I say that money does not buy happiness, and you suggest that a person who believes this "cut down his entire in/out flows of money from his life starting from tomorrow, just to see how much his happiness really depends on that."

      I planned well for retirement, so I would be comfortable, and because of our economic situation, I am now at poverty level. My money "in/out flow" was cut down considerabley because of loss of investments. I'm still very happy/content. I was a happy/content person before the financial challenge, I am a happy/content person in the present moment, and will be a happy/content person in the future because I KNOW it is a choice.

      You say..."It looks like it's so damn easy to forget who we are and what we are doing in our every single day."

      I suggest that if we forget who we are and what we are doing in our every single day, then we can indeed get lost in the idea that money buys happiness. I also suggest that when we KNOW who and what we are, we make choices regarding whether we want to be happy/content in each and every day.

      You say your comment is an "intellectual provocation", even though you present it "As a matter of fact".
      Who would this "matter of fact...intellectual provocation" be for my friend? Yourself?

      • Robert Vigerious

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        Feb 17 2013: Dear Mrs. Steen,
        I'm absolutely supportive for your own situation and sharing the understanding of the point of view you're proposing. Please, do not be deceived by the sour and pinch tone I've used on purpose, as I said it was intended as a provocation aiming to hit a particular aspect of the topic.

        Reading your kind reply, I would say that you're not so far away from my real (unsaid) point of view, and I like that. At the same time, I recognize that I've failed to make you see through this particular keyhole.

        I doesn't really matter anyway.
        My best wishes for your days to come

        Robert :)
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Feb 17 2013: Dear Robert,
          I do not feel "deceived" at all, and I've peeked through many "keyholes" of understanding during my life adventure:>)

          How about sharing your "real (unsaid) point of view"? It DOES matter Robert....to me anyway....because I enjoy discussing what is "real", and I am aware that our perception of "real" may be different for each and every one of us at any given time:>)

      • edulover learner 10+

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        Feb 25 2013: Hi Colleen Steen,I do like to see your sincere comments here.A very good conversation between you and Robert here.Thanks:)
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Feb 25 2013: Thank you Edulover:>) Respectful comments, from which we can all learn, are GREAT.....in my humble perception:>)

  • gale kooser 20+

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    Feb 16 2013: No! But neither can the lack of money. It's all in how you live within your means. Many here have given you wonderful ans. & I agree with most.

  • Mathew Conley

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    Feb 16 2013: Money has little to do with being happy. Being happy is a choice, it is perspective and the ability to make the best out of what you have, little or a lot. More money can equal more problems, it is only part of your happiness if you choose for it to be. Choosing happiness = happiness. Anyone who is having a bad day I suggest you force yourself to laugh for 5 minutes, right out of the blue, get a few people to do it with you. You will likely end up laughing for real and will feel better. Choose it :-)
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      Colleen Steen 500+

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      Feb 17 2013: YES! It is indeed a choice, and laughter is good medicine.....well said Mathew:>)

      "Be happy with what you have and you will have plenty to be happy about..."
      (Irish proverb)
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    pat gilbert 50+

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    Feb 16 2013: An obvious (not obvious?) thing about happiness is that it comes from being interested in things.

    or the corollary unhappiness comes from a lack of interest.

    You might say the world suffers from a lack of interest and too much wanting to be interesting.

    Look at people who are happy and see if there is correlation to interest?
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      Colleen Steen 500+

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      Feb 16 2013: I agree Pat!
      I observe that my curiosity, exploration and interest with the life adventure supports more of a feeling of happiness/contentment, just as the feeling of happiness/content supports more curiosity, exploration and interest.....another enjoyable cycle:>)
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      Colleen Steen 500+

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      Feb 16 2013: You added to your comment Pat, and your addition reminds me of something I saw as a teenager and embraced:

      Interested = Interesting
      Interesting = Interested

      Perhaps people strive to be interesting without being genuinely interested?
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        pat gilbert 50+

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        Feb 17 2013: Exactly, it is not a small point, which can change the direction of a life in a big way. Do you want to be cause or effect.

        With the media and the government incessantly spewing you are the effect.
        The question is can one control his disinterest and be interested in something. As you say it makes all the difference.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Feb 17 2013: I want to be BOTH cause and effect Pat.....I want it all...LOL:>)
          AND.....I KNOW if I WANT it, I need to CREATE it:>)

          I wholeheartedly agree....it is NOT a small point, and can actually form a foundation which contributes to the orchestration of our life experience!

          I observe people seeking happiness/contentment OUTSIDE themselves....with more money and the things money will buy....with relationships.....etc.

          YES, we CAN absolutely control our interest/disinterest, and I know you know that. It is a choice. People often give up their choice to create their life experience.

          There is a great book I read 30+ years ago..."Pulling your own Strings" by Wayne Dyer.
          It very simply reinforces the idea that we can make choices regarding how we think and feel. Although this message has been given to us throughout history by teachers, gurus, psychologists, etc., apparently we (humans) need constant reminders!
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        pat gilbert 50+

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        Feb 17 2013: What happens is that people become addicted to attention or admiration, I think more addictive than drugs.

        You see this endlessly with celebrities with all of their shenanigans they are really saying look at me. There was a move called spinal tap that was a parody of rock stars who functioned like this, very funny. The problem is that when you become interesting you become effect. Being effect is also addictive, people choose to be the effect of drugs, alcohol, TED, etc.

        As you know life is lived at cause.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Feb 17 2013: I agree Pat, that some folks draw attention to themselves for the reason you suggest.

          Just as people can be the effect of drugs and alcohol, we can also be the effect of more beneficial "addictions", like TED....can we not? I, for example, am addicted to gardens...I am the cause and effect of gardens.....not so bad is it??? LOL!

          I think/feel life is lived at BOTH cause and effect levels:>)
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        pat gilbert 50+

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        Feb 17 2013: I think it depends why, if you want to have a show garden to attract attention, if you are genuinely interested in gardening then that would be from a more cause point of view.

        Of course you have to be both cause and effect however the difference is in the reason behind the cause and effect.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Feb 17 2013: Agree! Why we do something is as important, or maybe sometimes more important, than the action.

          So, with the question....can money buy happiness....the answers may reflect one's intent. If a person truly thinks/feels that money will buy happiness....it may do that.

          However, the "catch" to that, is if people "expect" money to buy happiness, s/he may be very disappointed, and unhappy with the effect?
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        pat gilbert 50+

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        Feb 17 2013: Well the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

        I would urge anyone who is interested (see what I did there?) to look at people who they consider to be happy and look at whether they are interesting or are interested and look for a correlation.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Feb 18 2013: Yes Pat, I notice what you did....you are very clever and interesting:>)

          I agree that observing people and behaviors, and using that information to learn, is a GREAT way to explore and expand our heart and mind:>)

  • Konstantin Weil

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    TED Translator
    Feb 16 2013: There is a study by Brickman et al. (http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/psp/36/8/917/) which shows that people who have recently had an injury which led to paraplegia weren't unhappier than people who had won in a lottery before (or to be more accurate: those who had the accident didn't expect to be unhappier in the future).
    So I think that this shows quite well that there are factors which are much more relevant to be happy, e.g. friends and family.
    To answer your question: no, money can't buy happiness.

  • Ruth-Ellen Henry

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    Feb 16 2013: No money doesn't buy happiness, money can't buy you love. You can get temporary fixes of joy from buying what you want but no amount of money can eradicate poor health let alone bring back the dead. Happiness is a choice you make everyday, it's an emotion that you have control over...as Maya Angelou once said (not verbatim) my circumstances may change me but I refuse to let it reduce me!

  • Asaf Abou

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    Feb 16 2013: money gives you the option to consentrate your effort on self recreation which will, hopefully, buy you happiness..
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    Trang Tran

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    Feb 16 2013: Yes, I believe Money does buy happiness.
    money allows people to do what they please, to live longer and healthier lives, to buffer themselves against worry and harm, to have leisure time to spend with friends and family, and to control the nature of their daily activities -- all of which are sources of happiness.
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    Kostas Pitikakis

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    Feb 15 2013: Νot be bought, but can be rented.

  • Lionel Leigo

    • +1
    Feb 15 2013: Hi Mohammad, i had a thought which i wrote down some years ago, it goes somthing like

    "I wish to own nothing but myself, and be free to give myself to those whom i wish to"

    I dont think money can buy happiness, it can certainly buy laziness, stuff, problems, junk.

    What did Tyler Durden say in fight club "the shit you own, ends up owning you"?

    No money cant buy happiness, but it can rent friends, hangers on, etc

    If the objective is happiness, one must decide it, decide to be happy, if not happy, act happy, others around will become happy around happy people.

    Ask anyone who suffers debilitating bouts of depression to the point of suicide, "what makes you happy"?, its because they decide to be happy, broke or rich

  • Chantel Trujillo

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    Feb 15 2013: In today's economy, it may appear that money can buy happiness due to the overwhelming amount of people that are struggling financially. However, if we closely examine our happiness, we'll find that material possessions bring only temporary satisfaction. When your iPad is out of sight, it is also out of mind. When your honey, daughter, or best friend is out of sight, your heart feels a yearning for that person. We're social creatures, and we rise depending on our relationships with others. I guarantee you, a person who has no material possessions but is involved in a loving relationship will value his/her life much more than a person who's only "relationship" is with his/her money. We need to be able to distinguish the difference between temporary and lifelong satisfactions. Can money enhance your soul? Not a chance.

  • Jared Kent

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    Feb 15 2013: yes...and no...Money is a small part in the make up of happiness just as knowledge is a small part in the make up of wisdom. On a side note: We are far too obsessed with money in our world. Everyone realizes money is something we as humans created out of thin air.
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