Money can't buy happiness

[Ajay]

There was a Rutgers study on money and happiness. What they found was there is a sweet spot to money/happiness. I believe it was about $75k. Anything after that and it's diminishing returns. Anything below and the person has that scarity mindset.

Not in the North East - I'd peg that number at ~$125K for my wife and I, living in a small city. Charity/serving those in need is a key component for us. As an example, being able to afford to pay someone to mow the lawn and take care of the landscaping & and summer painting chores frees up time for us to spend more time with family and friends and be more involved in charity. This is what improves our happiness much more than the extras we can afford to buy.

 

[NAC4EV]

Poor people always say "MONEY CAN'T BUY HAPPINESS".
How can they possibly know that????

 

[purbeast0]

There was a Rutgers study on money and happiness. What they found was there is a sweet spot to money/happiness. I believe it was about $75k. Anything after that and it's diminishing returns. Anything below and the person has that scarity mindset.

As someone who started with $49k salary out of school and I'm well over $75k now, I can tell you that is complete bullshit.

 

[ImpulsE69]

As someone who started with $49k salary out of school and I'm well over $75k now, I can tell you that is complete bullshit.

Odd, because you don't come off as a happy person on the internet.

 

[purbeast0]

Odd, because you don't come off as a happy person on the internet.

Touche...

 

[DrunkenSano]

Poor people always say "MONEY CAN'T BUY HAPPINESS".
How can they possibly know that????

Just like the fox claiming the grapes he cannot reach are sour!

 

[William Gaatjes]

I hate that saying. Money can buy a shit ton of things that would make me happy.

I agree.

Only rich people who do not respect life say that.

 

[Mai72]

Not in the North East - I'd peg that number at ~$125K for my wife and I, living in a small city. Charity/serving those in need is a key component for us. As an example, being able to afford to pay someone to mow the lawn and take care of the landscaping & and summer painting chores frees up time for us to spend more time with family and friends and be more involved in charity. This is what improves our happiness much more than the extras we can afford to buy.

Yea, that's great.

I'm currently teaching this summer. We have 1 week left. My kids are all cognitively impaired. I'm the happiest when I'm taking care of my students. I have a girl who is nearly 20, but looks 5. When she comes into my classroom she is smiling which makes me smile. I'll start feeding her right away and she's so happy. It makes me happy that I'm making a small difference.

You can't put a price on those type of experiences. OTOH, I'm not blind to the fact that money is important. How much? That's going to depend on the individual. I follow businessmen on social media who have extreme viewpoints on wealth. So, when I come off as a bit extreme it's because of my influences. I've also been poor/middle class my whole life. Like most Americans, I know the struggles that occur because money is scarce. I also live in a resort area. The winters are difficult. Very difficult. Many people go on unemployment, and many stores close. And, the cold.

Anyway, I'm a bit torn when it comes to the idea of wealth and money making.

 

[Slew Foot]

Bull. Id be the happiest f'n guy if I had enough money to not have to worry about working again.

 

[Ajay]

@Mai72 Thanks for sharing. Sometimes it is difficult to choose between doing something one loves and doing something far less enjoyable but having the benefit of the extra cash. I ultimate chose the extra cash of Sftw Eng/ IT and my wife is a Title 1 reading supervisor/teacher. We are currently well below $100K because I'm out of work due to an illness/injury (though I wasn't injured at work). We are not anywhere near poor but, struggle with the stress of owning a decent home, two cars and having to maintain such. I suppose, thinking about it, we were happiest around $100K, by the time we reached $150K - somethings in life almost were becoming too easy - we started to give more $$s to charity and invest more. I do not think I would enjoy being wealthy. I know I didn't enjoy being poor - either as a child or for a period of time in my 20's.

In any case, thank you for what you give for the sake of your students and for the enrichment your work gives to society.

 

[Svnla]

I will say this. No one ever says "Geeez, if I have a wish, I wish I can be a lot poorer". No. One. Ever. (normal folks).

I do a lot of international traveling and first class/biz class >>>>>>>> peasant/coach class.

Me? If I have about $10 million USD in liquid, I will work on my side business and travel around the world for the rest of my life and be happy. Then I can help the deserving poor in developing countries such as building schools, bridges, hospitals, etc.

/thread

 

[shortylickens]

I think if you can buy sharks with laser beams thats pretty much the same thing.

 

[Jaepheth]

Well if money can't buy happiness, I guess I'll have to rent it

 

[Jeeebus]

slumming it on Waikiki beach before getting on with the rest of the trip today. money sure as hell can buy a nice view.

 

[highland145]

Damned lawyers.

 

[Exterous]

slumming it on Waikiki beach before getting on with the rest of the trip today. money sure as hell can buy a nice view.

Wait you paid for a nice view in hawaii? Real ATOT baller's just get nice rooms

My room had a wrap around balcony and cost -$150 (The room was free and they gave me $150 to spend at the resort)

 

[purbeast0]

Since this is now a "show off your view" thread, this was my view from our balcony 2 weeks ago.

And damn right money that provided for that trip sure as shit provided me a lot of happiness and priceless memories!

 

[nakedfrog]

Well if money can't buy happiness, I guess I'll have to rent it

Way ahead of you, chief

"If money can't buy happiness, I guess I'll have to rent it." - Weird Al's "This Is The Life"

 

[child of wonder]

Money can buy happiness but the taxes are insane.

 

[ponyo]

There's nothing like leaving the balcony door slightly open and sleeping and waking up to sound of the ocean waves. This was the view from my room balcony.

And I definitely enjoyed the view and comfort of the beach cabana. Definitely worth the extra $1,300 I paid to rent the beach hut for the week. One of the few bargains at the Ritz.

 

[dud]

The saying is backwards anyways. "Lack of money brings unhappiness" is far more true.

This is the truth. Studies have shown that increasing levels of income (it used to be $75K) bring less than proportional increase in happiness levels. At a certain income level there is absolutely no increase in happiness other than to say that a person has that much more money. In the end, we pass on and leave it all to somewhat else.

Ironic ...

 

[Exterous]

In the end, we pass on and leave it all to somewhat else.

Pft eff that. If I can't have it no one can! Right before I die I'm withdrawing all my $ and putting it all in a pile of valuables in my house and lighting everything on fire.

 

[purbeast0]

This is the truth. Studies have shown that increasing levels of income (it used to be $75K) bring less than proportional increase in happiness levels. At a certain income level there is absolutely no increase in happiness other than to say that a person has that much more money. In the end, we pass on and leave it all to somewhat else.

Ironic ...

Sounds like studies done by poor people.

 

[Ajay]

Damned lawyers.

Ain't it the truth. I had a carpenter in to install a new backdoor recently. He mentioned that he has worked for a lot of Doctors and Lawyers; he said the lawyers where the ones with the big bucks.

 

[highland145]

Ain't it the truth. I had a carpenter in to install a new backdoor recently. He mentioned that he has worked for a lot of Doctors and Lawyers; he said the lawyers where the ones with the big bucks.

When they deliver like jeeebus does.