Money really doesn't buy happiness, study finds - Page 2

August · 02-16-06, 12:12 PM

The bottom line here is that while it is true that money in of itself doesn't buy happiness, the lack of money can indeed be the source of a persons unhappiness.

JSLTIGER · 02-16-06, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

The bottom line here is that while it is true that money in of itself doesn't buy happiness, the lack of money can indeed be the source of a persons unhappiness.

Very true.

Onkel Neal · 02-17-06, 12:16 AM

I find more money equates to more happiness, especially knowing the electricity won't be shut off or I can buy a can of beans Friday. I guess there is such thing as too much money.... the breakover point for me must be in the billions.

Terrax · 02-17-06, 09:04 AM

I had the good fortune of suddenly having a hefty amount of money 10 years ago. It was a six figure number, and after paying off my Wife's debts (I didn't have any) and buying new cars, I still had 90% of that money left. Life was very good, I could live comfortably off the earning from my job and didn't spend any of the remaining money. For 5 years, I couldn't complain, and slept very well at night.

My Wife however didn't cooperate. I made the mistake of giving her too much power and trust. Among other projects, she opened a restaurant, and wasn't exactly truthful with the money being spent. To make a very long story short, all the money is gone, we don't have **** to show for it other than 2 10 year old cars. She now has tens of thousands in credit card debt, I have a large mortgage because she used our equity to borrow money for the now closed restaurant, and we fight constantly about money.

So, from my experience, life with money was a MUCH more pleasant, with far fewer arguments, and the kids were happier because they were spoiled.

And yes, I'm a little bitter.

Abraham · 02-17-06, 03:12 PM

In my view, money doesn't buy happiness, but opportunities. How you use them is up to you. If you use those opportunities well, you might get happy; if you use them badly, you might get more miserable then you were before.
Money alone doesn't do the trick. In the end, the decisive factor is wisdom (as the Good Book already said)...

Terrax · 02-17-06, 11:05 PM

I agree that I made some bad decisions. Trusting those who should not be trusted being one of those decisions. If I had it to do over, I would be a single,financially, well off, male... as long as I'm wishing, I'd like a pony...

Abraham · 02-17-06, 11:11 PM

My remarks were a general answer to the thread question and in no way intended to criticize you Terrax (more than myself...).

lesrae · 02-18-06, 04:27 AM

I think I'll find it a bit easier to look for happiness if I'm not worrying about where to get the money from to fill the car with petrol, pay the bills or fill the fridge. Not that I'm unhappy - in case the wife is stalking me on here :O)

Marhkimov · 02-18-06, 05:35 AM

It's simple really:

Too much money is bad.
Too little is also bad.

Having just enough is good.

Drebbel · 02-18-06, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/13022006/323/money-really-doesn-t-buy-happiness-study-finds.html

Glad to here it hey that's made my day

If you are happy -------> It is better to be rich as well
If you are unhappy ----> It is better to be rich as well

STEED · 02-18-06, 09:33 AM

It seems we can not really make are minds up on this one, money is a problem. There are tribes in the world who have know idea what money is, and they seem to be happy with their life style.

August · 02-18-06, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

It seems we can not really make are minds up on this one, money is a problem. There are tribes in the world who have know idea what money is, and they seem to be happy with their life style.

That's because in their isolation they don't know any better.

Drebbel · 02-18-06, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

It seems we can not really make are minds up on this one, money is a problem. There are tribes in the world who have know idea what money is, and they seem to be happy with their life style.

Maybe not money. But I am sure they use sometime else to trade. Cows, food, woman, pearls, labour, status, services, whatever.

TteFAboB · 02-18-06, 11:30 AM

The most important point is the source of the richness and what you can do with it. In a free democratic country your options are wide open, but the source can still be a problem.

You can't be happy and rich in North Korea, your spending options are limited and if you are rich you must have connections with Kim. You can't actually be happy in North Korea unless you don't know or can't think any better. If you have enough money to create a reading or philosophy group for people, but you are denied such a thing by Kim because he needs the population dumb and uneducated, and you are only allowed to share what he allows, and you are only allowed to let the people think what is safe (limited, partial, biased and most likely lies, these don't develop a brain, they tame it), then you certainly can't feel good knowing there's a bunch of Zombies all around and you can't even help them jump-start their minds. However, anyone who suffers from amorality doesn't have to worry about this, but I disagree such a person can be happy, for he doesn't know what happiness is, he has no conscience of it.

Now what if you are a drug lord? You're rich alright, but did you know that richness comes from the death of many customers, dealers and some other people who may have nothing to do with it, and those who don't die can have their lives severely ruined, sometimes with very small chances of recovery? Your product requires more and more larger doses to continue to make an effect as time goes by, and only a minority of people can use it safely, avoiding the worst consequences. Only someone with a severe case of amorality can be happy with this richness, and it is a very fragile richness afterall, because not only are the police forces worldwide on your tail (if you're international), but also your own kind, the fellow you thought you could trust, are willing to knock you down and take your seat. Will the exotic and luxury cars and the nice mansion (they might not last very long) make this person happy?

So how about this:

you are happy <-------> be rich as well.
If you are unhappy <------- It isn't better to be rich as well, if you cannot use your richness wisely, or if your richness comes from, say, criminal activities.

The monetary system is far from being a problem, don't stress on it.

Amorality is a far bigger problem, how can someone think it's perfectly fine to get rich being a drug lord and that the prostitute women and sports car he will get will make him happy, at least untill he gets a well deserved bullet to his head? Such a person is not a human as his cognitive processes aren't fully functional or developed to basic standards, but an animal, and if arrested he doesn't apply to Human Rights, but to Animal Protection Rights, and he shouldn't clutter prisons for men or women, but be sent to the dog compound where he will eat dog food, but obviously, don't let him near the dogs because they don't deserve to be put close to the scum of the Earth.

(the last paragraph may contain traces of sarcasm or joke).

Hitman · 02-18-06, 11:39 AM

The real origin of your insatisfaction is not the lack of money or goods, but your unsatisfied will to get them. If you are able to desire less goods, you will be more happier since you have no unfullfilled wishes.

Once you have enough to get a roof, food and the basics, anything else you desire can be traced to your primary instincs of being fitter than the neighbour for survivor, or looking better to attract females.
In other words, your primary instincs are taking control over your intelligence.

Recommended reading for anyone who wants to be happier with less money: The work of Zeno of Citium (Stoician school)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism

We haven't really found anything original since the lod greek masters, I'm afraid

02-16-06, 12:12 PM	#1
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,204 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The bottom line here is that while it is true that money in of itself doesn't buy happiness, the lack of money can indeed be the source of a persons unhappiness. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

02-17-06, 09:04 AM	#4
Terrax Warmonger Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: WV USA Posts: 101 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I had the good fortune of suddenly having a hefty amount of money 10 years ago. It was a six figure number, and after paying off my Wife's debts (I didn't have any) and buying new cars, I still had 90% of that money left. Life was very good, I could live comfortably off the earning from my job and didn't spend any of the remaining money. For 5 years, I couldn't complain, and slept very well at night. My Wife however didn't cooperate. I made the mistake of giving her too much power and trust. Among other projects, she opened a restaurant, and wasn't exactly truthful with the money being spent. To make a very long story short, all the money is gone, we don't have **** to show for it other than 2 10 year old cars. She now has tens of thousands in credit card debt, I have a large mortgage because she used our equity to borrow money for the now closed restaurant, and we fight constantly about money. So, from my experience, life with money was a MUCH more pleasant, with far fewer arguments, and the kids were happier because they were spoiled. And yes, I'm a little bitter. __________________

02-17-06, 03:12 PM	#5
Abraham Eternal Patrol Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,572 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Money really doesn't buy happiness, study finds In my view, money doesn't buy happiness, but opportunities. How you use them is up to you. If you use those opportunities well, you might get happy; if you use them badly, you might get more miserable then you were before. Money alone doesn't do the trick. In the end, the decisive factor is wisdom (as the Good Book already said)... __________________ RIP Abraham

02-17-06, 11:05 PM	#6
Terrax Warmonger Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: WV USA Posts: 101 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I agree that I made some bad decisions. Trusting those who should not be trusted being one of those decisions. If I had it to do over, I would be a single,financially, well off, male... as long as I'm wishing, I'd like a pony... __________________

02-17-06, 11:11 PM	#7
Abraham Eternal Patrol Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,572 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Money really doesn't buy happiness, study finds My remarks were a general answer to the thread question and in no way intended to criticize you Terrax (more than myself...). __________________ RIP Abraham

02-17-06, 12:16 AM	#3
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,385 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	I find more money equates to more happiness, especially knowing the electricity won't be shut off or I can buy a can of beans Friday. I guess there is such thing as too much money.... the breakover point for me must be in the billions.

02-18-06, 04:27 AM	#8
lesrae Grey Wolf Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 932 Downloads: 31 Uploads: 0	I think I'll find it a bit easier to look for happiness if I'm not worrying about where to get the money from to fill the car with petrol, pay the bills or fill the fridge. Not that I'm unhappy - in case the wife is stalking me on here :O) __________________ DOLPHIN 38

02-18-06, 05:35 AM	#9
Marhkimov Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bay Area, California, USA Posts: 2,377 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It's simple really: Too much money is bad. Too little is also bad. Having just enough is good. __________________ It takes two to tango

02-18-06, 09:33 AM	#11
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	It seems we can not really make are minds up on this one, money is a problem. There are tribes in the world who have know idea what money is, and they seem to be happy with their life style.

02-18-06, 11:30 AM	#14
TteFAboB Admiral Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,247 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	The most important point is the source of the richness and what you can do with it. In a free democratic country your options are wide open, but the source can still be a problem. You can't be happy and rich in North Korea, your spending options are limited and if you are rich you must have connections with Kim. You can't actually be happy in North Korea unless you don't know or can't think any better. If you have enough money to create a reading or philosophy group for people, but you are denied such a thing by Kim because he needs the population dumb and uneducated, and you are only allowed to share what he allows, and you are only allowed to let the people think what is safe (limited, partial, biased and most likely lies, these don't develop a brain, they tame it), then you certainly can't feel good knowing there's a bunch of Zombies all around and you can't even help them jump-start their minds. However, anyone who suffers from amorality doesn't have to worry about this, but I disagree such a person can be happy, for he doesn't know what happiness is, he has no conscience of it. Now what if you are a drug lord? You're rich alright, but did you know that richness comes from the death of many customers, dealers and some other people who may have nothing to do with it, and those who don't die can have their lives severely ruined, sometimes with very small chances of recovery? Your product requires more and more larger doses to continue to make an effect as time goes by, and only a minority of people can use it safely, avoiding the worst consequences. Only someone with a severe case of amorality can be happy with this richness, and it is a very fragile richness afterall, because not only are the police forces worldwide on your tail (if you're international), but also your own kind, the fellow you thought you could trust, are willing to knock you down and take your seat. Will the exotic and luxury cars and the nice mansion (they might not last very long) make this person happy? So how about this: you are happy <-------> be rich as well. If you are unhappy <------- It isn't better to be rich as well, if you cannot use your richness wisely, or if your richness comes from, say, criminal activities. The monetary system is far from being a problem, don't stress on it. Amorality is a far bigger problem, how can someone think it's perfectly fine to get rich being a drug lord and that the prostitute women and sports car he will get will make him happy, at least untill he gets a well deserved bullet to his head? Such a person is not a human as his cognitive processes aren't fully functional or developed to basic standards, but an animal, and if arrested he doesn't apply to Human Rights, but to Animal Protection Rights, and he shouldn't clutter prisons for men or women, but be sent to the dog compound where he will eat dog food, but obviously, don't let him near the dogs because they don't deserve to be put close to the scum of the Earth. (the last paragraph may contain traces of sarcasm or joke). __________________ "Tout ce qui est exagéré est insignifiant." ("All that is exaggerated is insignificant.") - Talleyrand

02-18-06, 11:39 AM	#15
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	The real origin of your insatisfaction is not the lack of money or goods, but your unsatisfied will to get them. If you are able to desire less goods, you will be more happier since you have no unfullfilled wishes. Once you have enough to get a roof, food and the basics, anything else you desire can be traced to your primary instincs of being fitter than the neighbour for survivor, or looking better to attract females. In other words, your primary instincs are taking control over your intelligence. Recommended reading for anyone who wants to be happier with less money: The work of Zeno of Citium (Stoician school) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism We haven't really found anything original since the lod greek masters, I'm afraid __________________ One day I will return to sea ...