Can Money Buy Happiness?

[bubb2]

A Father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be.

I am a wealthy man, with a empty wallet.

[T34C]

It's easy to say money can't buy this or that and I'm hapy with what I have, when you have enough money to buy things like boats, houses, toys, etc...

Does money guarantee happiness, not a chance. Can you achieve happiness by having more money, Absa-Fing-lutely!

[uspirate]

i didnt read the entire thing but i'm going to say a couple of things. we have a jackpot in vegas called "MEGABUCKS". it takes $3 to win and is usaually between 10-20 million(just hit 3 days ago for 21 mill.) we call it a curse as the requirements for winning it seem to be that your age is over 70 years old and you're already fairly wealthy.(describing the majority of winners) a few younger people have won it in the past, one being a 24 year old cocktail waitress (16 mill)whom died of a drug overdose a year later. another winner being a 45 year old casino worker (14 mill)whom was involved in a car accident a month later killing her sister and leaving her paralyzed.

another interesting story is of one of my former best friends. in 2000 his mom recieved an extremely large insurance settlement (approx 22 mil) she gave him 1 million for himself. he immediately quit his 62k per year job (teeling everyone to kiss his A$$ because he's rich) bought a house paying cash (360k) automobiles (160k) boat motorcycles, high end electronics etc etc. he ditched all his friends including myself because now we weren't wealthy enough for him (note that i used to loan this guy money to pay his rent buy gasoline etc) in mid 2007 all the money was gone and now he has no more friends, his "Dream Wife" left him and he had to start work making $16 per hour with a 100 mile daily commute in his Ford F-150 Harley Davidson truck. he still calls on occasion but i dont return his calls. but i'm going to say deep down inside him you can tell he's miserable even though he will tell you he's sitting on top of the world. It was then that i realized money isn't everything.

[T34C]

USP- No one said money can buy you sense. (sorry, no disrespect intended toward your former friend, just seen that same thing happen before.)

Anyone who is an idiot while they are poor will still be an idiot with money.

[US27inKS]

I have an aquaintence who is one of the top dogs in an MLM type of business. Part of his presentation when trying to recruit new people shows the house he was living in when he was recruited. It was a double wide trailer in a not so nice trailer park. Then he show airiel shots of his Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home in the country. Then he says that it's true that money can't buy you happiness, "but if I had to be sad, I'd rather be sad in this house (new house) than that house (trailer) any day of the week". I believe he's right.

[cardiacpaul]

lets do a grant!!!
oh, wait, better Idea. Send me all of your spare money, and lets see if thecuban smiles.

[artbyjody]

I say not. It grants one certain abilities that one can not indulge in when living under the ramon noodle financial savings plan.

Personally, I find that the more one makes, the more it either isolates one or places one in situations where they forget what it means to live within the means. One gets into the "do they like me for me" or "what I can do for them", you wonder if friends are making friends because they enjoy your company or that they see you as possible business contact... etc...The buying of stuff to just impress...If one is a "player" then certainly it helps but it only buys happiness for the couple of hours...

The advantages - one can buy objects of their desire such as more toys, or tools, equipment, and supplies for a favorite hobby. Which the latter I do as I find socially and dating - I really do not enjoy spending money on fleeting moments for the sake of it...and if I spend then it is for a good reason.

But, I also have not really changed my lifestyle from when I grew up "poor" to now where I could live outside my means. And put more face value on actual quality of life and friends than I do impressions or what not...

When you consider that money's value actually is defined by global market, I find the only currency that never changes value is that of mutual respect, and just living a life where you treat others as you wish you would be treated...

[sailingdog]

A worthwhile trade I think, especially in your case Mike. Your two little girls are wonderful.

Originally Posted by bubb2

A Father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be.

I am a wealthy man, with a empty wallet.

[therapy23]

Originally Posted by uspirate

i didnt read the entire thing but i'm going to say a couple of things. we have
another interesting story is of one of my former best friends. in 2000 his mom recieved an extremely large insurance settlement (approx 22 mil) she gave him 1 million for himself. he immediately quit his 62k per year job (teeling everyone to kiss his A$$ because he's rich) bought a house paying cash (360k) automobiles (160k) boat motorcycles, high end electronics etc etc. he ditched all his friends including myself because now we weren't wealthy enough for him (note that i used to loan this guy money to pay his rent buy gasoline etc) in mid 2007 all the money was gone and now he has no more friends, his "Dream Wife" left him and he had to start work making $16 per hour with a 100 mile daily commute in his Ford F-150 Harley Davidson truck. he still calls on occasion but i dont return his calls. but i'm going to say deep down inside him you can tell he's miserable even though he will tell you he's sitting on top of the world. It was then that i realized money isn't everything.

So, he was happy with money and now that he does not have it he is not happy. Hmmm.

[therapy23]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Money can't buy health or happiness or true love... It is highly over rated as a source of happiness.

It can buy better food and healthcare.

If I had more money I could buy better healthcare for my wife and I would be happier.