Some people — regardless of wealth level — tend to equate “what makes life worth living” with things that money can buy. So to the extent this is true for you, you’ll tend to equate more money=greater happiness.

The reality I think is more subtle (and more than a little cliched) — that money helps make the true experiences of life that bring happiness come more easily, and perhaps more frequently. So money really SUPPORTS happiness. Happiness can easily be found without money, but it can also be greatly aided by money.

That doesn’t take away from the fact that money is a fundamental need if one is to have any measure of comfort in life. Personally I do prefer regular meals and a soft bed to dumpster diving and a gutter. That’s real happiness that only money can bring.

db

What fascinates me most is that people tend to ignore these simple facts/truths. I suppose people feel that they need to experience being rich for themselves before they truly believe that money will not bring them happiness. The problem with that scenario is that they will, in all likelihood, not be rich. Therefore, they will have wasted their lives chasing after money that will not buy them happiness, while at the same time, ignoring those simple and accessible things that will make them feel the happiest. A sad but strange paradox indeed.

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and as far as money bringing happiness.. i guess it all depends on the situation.. i think money brings peace of mind.. but it can also bring stress, more problems, etc..

some of the best times of my life was when i was younger, broke, and had no worries about the subject at all