Can money buy happiness? (5mins)

If you want happiness for an hour
— take a nap.’
If you want happiness for a day —go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year —Inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime
— help someone else.
-Chinese Proverbs

A friend of mine would often say:
Money may not buy you happiness. But at least it keeps you miserable in comfort. Ask anyone who’s broke! Of course, that is only one point of view.

In 2010, the New York Times published an article about consumption and how it relates
to happiness. In the article a professor discussed a study
that identified the number one category to be positively related to happiness. Surprisingly the top category wasn’t cars, home improvements or even a shiny new
piece necklace from Tiffany’s. The number one category was leisure activities: vacations, entertainment, sports and equipment used to enhance an experience such as golf clubs, yoga mats or a surf board. Thus, buying authentic memorable
experiences should be our primary focus when looking to optimize our lives using a pay cheque.

I agree that more money makes life look happier but why is it that all the time, we do see people who have the money they want, but never seem to enjoy it the
way they’re supposed to?

Naturally, we all have basic needs – who would opt for a life on the pavement or choose to be hungry, or even dirty?
Interestingly, there are studies that say that cash can buy a certain amount of satisfaction with life. But enjoyment? Not so much.
Cash can get you security, but happiness is a whole new ballgame. Ultimately, joy and gratitude my dears, is not for sale.

So – lets look at what we can list as life’s basic needs. For some this could be a roof over the head – regardless of the type of roof, a roof, running water even if it is cold and enough food so they don’t go hungry. For others, it can go a step further and imply air conditioning.

Nonetheless, it is a matter of individual perception then.
Even so, some things are the same for everyone. These include:
The desire to be treated with respect. Who wouldn’t want that?
The desire to be surrounded by people who love us.
The desire to learn new things
The desire to be involved in what we are good at. Can we put a price tag on those things? I guess not.

There’s no spending limit when it comes to spending time with family For guaranteed return on investments, buy flowers
Isn’t That awesome?
Finally, it all boils down to love, relationships and people.
Still, one cannot deny that it feels good to have the cash to do the things we want to do.
For me, I’d like money to survive, and also support the charities I am involved in. I’d like to have the money when a friend is in need so I can share. I’d like money for when I have a medical emergency. And of course, for lot and lots of tea!
But never so much that it slips over to the greed category.

What do you think?
What are your views on this?
Do you think money can buy you happiness?

And just so you know, money bought me a brand new pair of shoes recently and that directly translates to happiness for me. Just sayin’!
Thanks for reading