Does Money equal Happiness?

1. 60

   Starlet5posted 14 years ago

   Recently, while talking to  a friend, she ended a very long and detailed conversation with " i wish i was rich, then i would be happy" then laughed it off.
   But i started to think... Does money = happiness?
   
   I mean on one side you can say of course not. You could easily argue that not all the rich and famous appear happy and content. However, could that be because the only rich people we observe on a regular basis are the one's in the public eye. And couldn't it be being in the public eye that forces their unhappiness and not money itself?
   
   On the other hand you could say yes.
   I mean, with money you can do anything. You can buy that house you have always dreamed of. Pay off that mortgage that is like a dull headache, never ending, but always reminding you its there. You could provide for your family and give them the things they've always wanted. Isn't that what would make you happy?
   
   please tell me your thoughts
   Xx

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   1. 61

      Ambitionposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Money cannot help a person. Only peace of mind helps. So, we should be happy with what god has given

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   2. 0

      Poppa Bluesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Well if he were still alive you could ask Michael Jackson, or Elvis, or the countless others before them that had attained riches and fame. Happiness is a decision. One decides to be happy or not.

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      Pamda Manposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Check out my hubs on happiness that will be coming soon.
      
      Panda Man

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   4. 60

      Neil Sperlingposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      
      
      Money does not buy happiness - however no money can easily create misery! LOL

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   5. 49

      TheFrenchTravelerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Some people may confuse financial security with happiness, does money give you the peace of mind without a doubt does it allow you the purchasing power and limitless lifestyle of course. Will it give you geniwine happiness never..

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      C.J. Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      No, the two are mutually exclusive.

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   7. 71

      Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, money = happiness.
      
      However, how responsible you are with the money you have will continue to bring you happiness and hopefully integrity and respect for the power of money.
      
      Money won't buy you LOVE because love it is bonded connection, which has no value. Money will however buy you lots of fun, before you find the love you seek for fulfillment.
      
      If you have no money, then yes you will be unhappy. There is no doubt about it. If you are NOT responsible with your money, regardless of what your situation is now, then obviously you won't get ahead.
      
      Just a thought.

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   8. 67

      Rod Marsdenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      If I had money I would buy into the career in writing that I want. I would pay off my unit and travel.
      
      Can money provide happiness? If you are careful maybe it can.
      
      
      
      
      
      

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   9. 62

      Lady_Eposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Sometimes it can.
      
      A practical example is: I live in the UK, parents live abroad. This year I can't afford to see them at Xmas and there is no other place I'd rather be.
      
      So, yeah in some cases - it can equal to Happiness.

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   10. 60

       Karina S.posted 14 years agoin reply to this

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   11. 60

       kakinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Its not the money, is what you get to do with it and what it allows you to get that will make you happy. I've known people who barely make a living, but are really happy, because everytime they can, they party and spend time with the whole family and friends.

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2. 63

   Mishaposted 14 years ago

   No. But certain amount definitely helps.

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      starme77posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      exactly

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3. 56

   wrenfrost56posted 14 years ago

   Hi personally I don't think money=happiness, you know more money more problems ect. However real povery can mean real unhappiness.
   But generally it's perception. Being rich in terms of money means nothing being rich in the other things in life that is true wealth and happiness.

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4. 58

   Mark Knowlesposted 14 years ago

   Not sure money=happiness.
   
   But for sure, no money=unhappiness.
   
   Money is only really important when you do not have it......

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      cynthiaaliseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Not, true.  I have little to no money and I am happy.

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         ledefensetechposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         For you maybe, but you can't speak for others.

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   forlanposted 14 years ago

   absolutely not but most people will be sad if they have no money

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6. 71

   Karen Banesposted 14 years ago

   I agree with Mark. Having money doesn't make you happy, but the stress of not being able to pay your bills can sure make you unhappy. Once you have enough money to take care of basic needs, happiness doesn't increase in direct proportion to how much more money you have.
   
   Also it depends what you spend it on. Research (that I'm unable to reference accurately at the moment) indicates that people who spend money on doing things (travel, learning new skills etc) are more happy than those who spend money on acquiring more stuff. Experience is more valuable than things! Well, duh!

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7. 87

   Shil1978posted 14 years ago

   Money is important, but money is not a guarantor of happiness. You can have lots of money and be unhappy. Conversely, you can have a moderate amount of money, yet be very happy. I guess, it depends on your perception of happiness too.
   
   Some people are never happy - they always desire more out of life. I don't think people like that can ever truly be happy in their lives.

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   Greek Oneposted 14 years ago

   having tried no money, I would very much like to try having LOTS of money for a few decades....
   
   not for any greedy reasons, just to see if it would feel any different

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9. 58

   etb50posted 14 years ago

   money and happiness are not directly related..... you could be very very rich, and still be very happy, but you might not be happy. It depends what you find happiness in, and what you would do with that money... having more money can almost never hurt tho... money cant buy back friends and family that died, money cant buy a happy family, money cant buy more time to spend with the people u like... but having no money also cant get any of those things... so i guess it all depends on what makes u happy.

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10. 0

    iamqweenbeeposted 14 years ago

    Some people think if they had...
    1. money
    2. a good man/woman
    3. peace of mind
    they will be happy! The thing is...Happiness comes from within. One has to obtain happiness on their own and the aforementioned  will add to it.
    
    This is a good topic because some never know if they are truly happy. Everything in their life can be great, but, still be absent of happiness. I've learned that because of this, happiness is the hardest to obtain

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11. 58

    spidergirl364posted 14 years ago

    It certainly does not.

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12. 68

    Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

    Yep!!

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13. 70

    cindyvineposted 14 years ago

    I don't think money and happiness are even connected.  Anyway I'm greedy, I want both equally!

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14. 68

    lrohnerposted 14 years ago

    No, but money can certainly rent happiness! 

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15. 61

    Pete Maidaposted 14 years ago

    Money does not equal happiness, but lack of money definitely equals misery.  Try living on the poverty line some time it isn't any fun.

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16. 64

    kmackey32posted 14 years ago

    Yea Its not fun to be poor

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17. 61

    eyaelposted 14 years ago

    money = happiness  i would say is a definitive YES.
    
    money = freedom, peace of mind, wonderful vacations, the dram 
            life (happiness).
    
    No Money = worries, no freedom, average vacations, surviving
            life, problems, stress (unhappiness).
    
    Let's be realistic we live in an economic world, money matters. we not living in the times of Jesus, or in the perfect world where everything is love and peaceful times.
    
    well that's just my opinion..

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18. 0

    Leta Sposted 14 years ago

    Money can help.  But it certainly is not a cure for unhappiness.  I view it as more of a security thing.
    
    I've read that money can make a difference up to approximately the $50,000 a year salary range.  After that its effect levels off.

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19. 60

    Colebabieposted 14 years ago

    Hell no. I'm a broke college student and I couldn't be happier

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    Davinagirl3posted 14 years ago

    I don't believe money equals happiness, but money problems get in the way of happiness.  Rich people are not necessarily happy, but I think poor people could be a lot happier if they could just pay the bills.  I know this first hand.

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    Penandpaperaddictposted 14 years ago

    no. money does not equal happiness. and to begin with i just wanna say that im a student, i dont have alot of money, im not some rich person who doesnt know what its like to not have alot of money. I should prolly also say that i hate money. having too little is bad n having too much is bad, n the thing is that when u start getting some money its never enough, u always seems to need more. i hate that. i hate that greedy feeling. im going to uni right now n when im done ill be a social worker, and my plan right now is to, when ive graduated, go down to southafrica and work there cuz they need ppl down there and cuz i cant make too much money. i never wanna get greedy. its one of my biggest fears. also, happieness is deeper than just material things, maybe u get a kick from buying new things or having the latest versions of things but that isnt the same as happiness... also, when ur able to  buy anything it isnt as special anymore. the grass ISN'T greener on the other side. if u think more money will make u happy then ur limiting ur own happiness, u CAN be happy and not have alot of money, it depends on ur mindset, on ur perspective on things. thats a few of my personal thoughts on the subject.

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    1. 60

       Vee Roseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Happiness isn't something we can buy.  It has to come from within.

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22. 60

    CEN7777posted 14 years ago

    Money can't buy happiness but money can be the part of happiness .
    So money not equal to happiness.
    Money < happiness

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23. 68

    euro-penposted 14 years ago

    Actually there is a growing body of literature in the academic field of economics trying to analyse the relationship between "money" (or better: wealth) and happiness. I am not really into this kind of literature but as far as I know there is only (if any) a weak statistical relationship.
    
    It seems that the amount of free time is - all other things equal - quite important for defining happiness. Meaning, with roughly equal wealth a person in, say Denmark (5 or 6 weeks of free time per year) is happier than a person, say in Japan (about 2 weeks) or in the U.S. (2-3 weeks?). Of course, other important things (like health, family status etc.) have to be taken into account as well (which is usually done via somewhat advanced statistical analysis).
    
    Personally, I prefer additional free time over additional money. The marginal benefits of money are actually quite low, especially if the basic needs are already covered.

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       Leta Sposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Yes.  All quite true. I've read all this, too.

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24. 59

    janni321posted 14 years ago

    yes, you can buy happiness with money but it is not a hard and fast rule to get happiness with money. happiness could be gotten through many other free ways like behaving nicely and leniently with other people.

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    WeddingConsultantposted 14 years ago

    Wow there's a lot of wisdom in the responses here. I especially loved:
    
    
    
    and
    
    
    Would you mind if I used those quotes in the future? They're quite insightful.

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    Colebabieposted 14 years ago

    "And its funny how it`s the simple things in life that mean the most
    Not where you live or what you drive or the price tag on your clothes
    There`s no dollar sign on a piece of mind this I`ve come to know
    So if you agree have a drink with me
    Raise you glasses for a toast"

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    yoshi97posted 14 years ago

    Perhaps ... for science ... we should do some research. We could make someone here rick (I', willing to volunteer) then I will tell everyone how happy or miserable I am with my new found wealth.
    
    Seriously ... the old saying goes ... 'Money doesn't make one happy, but it sure pays the bills...'

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28. 70

    ledefensetechposted 14 years ago

    Money is power and control.  If you have it, you can have peace of mind.  So yes, money is a part of happiness.  Try living without it, see how easy that is.

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    quicksandposted 14 years ago

    Lack of money is the root of all evil! Well money does bring happiness because it can buy you a one month vacation in Pulau Penang or Pattaya or just about anywhere ... see? There is no point in being philosophical about it. Money DOES bring happiness.

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30. 67

    world of the wiseposted 14 years ago

    Money can only brings happiness when it makes you move out of the poverty line, from there onwards, it adds nothing to your happiness, there is no correlation between money and peace of mind

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    Gin Dellowayposted 14 years ago

    Money can hardly bring you happiness, but in some way they can help you to solve some problems and save your inside calmness. I completely agree with a previous hubbber, that "Money can only brings happiness when it makes you move out of the poverty line". That is the only situation I can imagine when one can say money = happiness.

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    kmackey32posted 14 years ago

    poorness = Misery

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33. 61

    dc2004posted 14 years ago

    Money doesn't always = happiness, but it can buy happiness.  Having enough money to meet your needs can bring you happiness, having enough money to do things or buy things you always wanted can bring you happiness.  But I think when money can truely and continuely buy you happiness is when you are able to help others out with your money.  That is one way to have a lot of joy.

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       drummer boyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I agree with you, well put.

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34. 58

    drummer boyposted 14 years ago

    Not sure if it does because I do not have it but sure would love to try to find out and get back to you.

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35. 60

    marshallenginesposted 14 years ago

    Money is important but it's not the basis of hapiness......

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36. 0

    ryankettposted 14 years ago

    I wouldnt say that having money creates happiness, but having no money or very little money is a source of unhappiness. So it does prevent that one reason for unhappiness.
    
    Often having lots of money can make people unhappy, as they lose trust in friends, and worry about losing that money.
    
    I believe that I would be happier being poor forever than to have lots of money and lose it all, so I would probably worry a lot about losing that money. I guess that having a lot of money would make you a little money obsessed.
    
    I would love to make lots of money, dont get me wrong, but I don't think that money alone would make me happy.

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    tridentroofingposted 14 years ago

    Not exactly money equals to happiness but money really can help especially in our daily and basic needs.

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    C. Whitakerposted 14 years ago

    There was actually a study done some time ago that proved money can't buy happiness.  A group of people were the subject of the experiment which involved their amount of money increasing over a period of 10 years while their level of happiness remained fairly constant, with ups and downs related not to money, but to other factors such as having children, helping people, losing their jobs, etc.

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    mtsi1098posted 14 years ago

    I do no think money = happiness but it will mask sadness

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    Eaglekiwiposted 14 years ago

    I agree with what Mark said earlier.
    
    Money might not equal happiness ,but it sure as hell runs a strong second place
    
    If ya gonna be rich and unhappy , least ya got satin sheets to cry on .

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    Flightkeeperposted 14 years ago

    I think you need a certain amount of money to create a certain sense of security to be happy.  And it is up to the individual to define their own security and state of happy.  And just having money doesn't prevent you from times of being unhappy because your life is always in flux. Besides not everything that will make you happy requires money.  That being said I'm with the people who think people with money tend to be happier than people without money.

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    carminposted 14 years ago

    I agree with you, happiness is a question of inner attitude, it's a question of being at peace with our self and our level of gratitude for what we already have, but money have an influence on our level of energy, did you notice that when you don't have any money that your level of energy is down and you are in a bad mood, and since you may be limited in your course of action because you don't have enough money you may feel a little bit less graceful about your situation and less happy.

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       tantrumposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         That's so obvious ! How could it b  other way? No money < depression ,even in economics. Ask a Bank

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    Angel Of Loveposted 14 years ago

    Most of the time it does, but once in a while it doesn't.

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    andromidaposted 14 years ago

    No..

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    \Brenda Scullyposted 14 years ago

    people that think money will make them happy, dont seem to be happy when they get it, they just seem to want more.... being poor does make you unhappy though,

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       tantrumposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       It's not the richest, he who has more, but he who has extra money to give away. Even if it's cents

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    drummer boyposted 14 years ago

    I think the key here is finding contentment with what you have.  I think that is a secret of happiness.

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    vashalposted 14 years ago

    Not having enough money to meet your needs would make it hard to be happy. But I don't think that more money always means more happiness. The most important things in my life can't be bought.

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    TMinutposted 14 years ago

    I've had plenty of money and I've had no money. I've never been rich. SO...
    
    Having no money is frightening and horrible, happiness is scarce.
    Having plenty of money makes you focus on other things so happiness has nothing to do with money then.
    Having enough and/or a little extra is perfect.

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    AdsenseStrategiesposted 14 years ago

    God knows the lack of it can be problematic. Who was it that said:
    
    "I've been rich and I've been poor -- rich is better"

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    cosetteposted 14 years ago

    i've been poor. no-food-or-electricity-or-water-or shoes, sleeping-in-the-family-car poor, and having money is LOTS better!

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