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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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    Daniel Acevedo

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    Feb 9 2013: I think it's up to the individuals perspective I'm sure money can make some people happy maybe truly happy but for others it can't I find my happiness in the constent pursuit of my passion even though I'm broke.
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      John Moonstroller 20+

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      Feb 10 2013: But your not entirely broke are you Daniel? You have enough to feed, cloth and shelter yourself from the elements right?

      How much does your passion cost each month?
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        Daniel Acevedo

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        Feb 10 2013: Your right I'm not ENTIRELY broke. I live check to check and fall behind some months but I have shelter. The cost of my passion varies if I have a good month I'll spend about 120 on my love :)
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          John Moonstroller 20+

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          Feb 10 2013: Honest answer. I've been there.

          I'm just able to save a few bucks each month, but it grows. I'm not so sure we have to love money but we sure have to appreciate it's worth to us.

          Is there anything more convenient and effective to facilitate trade or transactions between two or more people?
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        Daniel Acevedo

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        Feb 10 2013: Couldn't agree with you more John. As for your question I don't know but your question would make a hell of a Ted conversation!
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          John Moonstroller 20+

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          Feb 10 2013: I think I remember someone broaching such a question a while back. I forget if there were any mutual conclusions. It crops up from time to time on TED.

          It does make one think however. Moneys both convenient and expedient. In fact we don't even need money anymore, just value and a plastic card. The difference is: if you lose your value in a dramatic bank failure you have no net worth unless you can prove you own assets. Money (the paper kind) is a kind of document that lists your value at a moment, usually the amount of money you have in your possession. Without money I guess a persons value is defined by their earning potential to themselves or someone else.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Feb 10 2013: Barter, which a LOT of folks in this area do all the time. We all have skills, talents, and material goods which we can trade......works pretty well:>)

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