The Role Of Money In Long-Term Happiness
No matter where you are on the Internet, the ultimate cliche question of whether money can buy happiness or not never seems to fully disappear. Different people have different ideas on the subject and since happiness is a personal experience, the debate never really comes to a mutual agreement.
There's already a lot of inspirational crap flying around on the Internet about how money can't buy happiness, something which our parents used to remind us constantly as kids. But then why is it that rich people often look more satisfied with their lives than the less-fortunate among us?
I know you're not here to read the same old cliche answers that everyone else seems to throw around, so I'm going to get straight to the point. The way I see it, you have two options (or both?) to use your money for long-term happiness:
Spending On Others
Some people like to believe that money is the root of all evil, which can't be more wrong of a statement. Money is not the reason evil exists; evil will always be there no matter what. Money is just a tool, and how we use it is what determines the end outcome, either good or bad.
Other people who believe that money can't buy happiness, like to refer to it as a "necessary evil" which might make more sense but it still isn't quite the answer we are looking for here. My cousin and I had a discussion a couple months ago and we came out with a really good insight:
"Money can't buy happiness but it can deliver it," which basically means that true happiness can only be achieved when people share experiences with, serve, or buy things for each other, and not only for themselves.
Like when your parents bought you your first bicycle when you were a kid or your friends giving you a gift on your birthday. In literal definition, it can't be called "buying happiness" because there is no transaction done between the two people.
You aren't (or rather, shouldn't be) expected or obligated to give someone a gift if they did so for you in the past. If they do expect a gift in return from you, then it's not really a gift, but a trade.
Spending On Self
But then what about spending money on ourselves and buying things that we really want? Does that not make us happy?
Technically, yes, it does. But 'satisfaction' is a much more fitting word in this case. Sure, you can buy the latest iPhone for yourself and be happy with it, but it's not the kind of happiness we are talking about here.
Happiness, if we're gonna define it, should be long-term and non-materialistic, which is a little hard to do here because money itself is a materialistic thing. So then how do we convert this materialistic thing into a non-materialistic one?
The answer is quite simple actually if you think about it. It's to use your money to buy experiences, and not things. This way, you are converting your materialistic assets into non-materialistic memories, which gives out deeper and long lasting happiness.
Personally though, I prefer the first option more. I do really like spending on myself and experiencing and exploring places alone, but I like it better when I'm sharing that moment with someone else even if I have to pay a little extra.
Seeing how this experience is worth it for them, makes it worth it for me. This is a good example, I think, on why happiness is a subjective thing and you are always free to choose either of those two options or even keep a balance between them.
Related articles:
- Why You Should Reward Yourself Every Once In A While
- How Companies Use Fear As A Tool Into Making You Buy Their Products
Continue reading:
- Real Talk #3 - The Art of Asking for Help
- Next Stop, Dolphinhood! - Reaching The 500 SP Minnow Mark
- Should You Silence Your Inner Critic? - How To Take Decisions When You Are Unsure Of Yourself
- I'm Learning How To Be Happy With Little
- Why Do We Listen To Sad Music When We Are Sad?
- The Time I Was Featured In The Blissfish Minnow Spotlight!
"Happiness, if we're gonna define it, should be long-term and non-materialistic, which is a little hard to do here because money itself is a materialistic thing." - that part got me. I kind of think that hapiness can be earned only if we are happy with our current state. At the time people achieve their goals they will find different new motivations and do not appreciate what they already have. This can be true for wealth as well.
I also really support the idea that the best way to spend money is on experiences and others, just like you wrote :)
Edit: How do you do the quote formatting in markdown?
I think so too, but it's not always the case. It's not always possible for some people to be happy in their current situation, example being a bullied kid in a high school or a woman dealing with a toxic husband.
About wealth though, @apolymask and I had a discussion about something similar a while ago and agreed that it's possible to be happy with your current state and still desire for more. It's to keep a balance between gratitude and longing for better.
About the quote formatting, all you have to do is put a ">" before starting the sentence/quote.
I have been broke and well off. Well off was much more fun than broke. Money gives you freedom to do many things. Money is not evil per se. It is the love of money that is evil. I agree with @hemantrg, money is a tool. Use it wisely.
I suggest you read the whole article first. I mentioned that part in the article itself that money isn't necessarily evil, but a tool that can give an outcome of either a good result or a bad one depending how you use it.
Of course money gives you the freedom to do things. It's a medium of exchange and you need it to trade valuables with other people. No single person in this world can ever have a hold on every single commodity, and that's why money is a need, not a want.
The greed to have more things, that which you don't necessarily need, however, is a want and sprouts evil.
It would appear we are in agreement. I stated "it is the love of money that is evil." Your use of the word "greed"is saying basiclly the same thing. I was actually making a joke when I said being well off is more fun than being broke. I meant no offense.
Non taken :)
Although, self voting your own comment and not voting for the post which you commented on can be seen as a rude behavior on Steemit.
Just thought I'd let you know :)
I upvoted your article at the begining. I have upvoted you more than once. Missing one comment was not intentional. Sorry you took it that way.
I didn't mean the comment, but the article itself and your name isn't in the list of the people who upvoted.
Just to be clear, I'm not asking for a vote. It's completely fine with me if you don't wish to do so. All I'm saying is, if you find an article interesting, it is ideal to vote for it.
Good to see that you're still practicing your writing skills here on Steemit @ayushjalan .
I would have to 'agree' with that statement, of which there are 'many' examples. Like the ability to 'pay' for better and faster health care in countries where poor people start lining up outside of a medical facility in the wee hours of the morning, with hope of possibly seeing a medical professional the 'same' day to treat their affliction.
With enough 'money' a person within the same community, can buy their way in, ahead of all the poor waiting in line. If it is 'pain' relief the patient is seeking, and money buys that relief, then happiness follows where it had been lacking.
It was nice to read your essay.
Exactly. Money gives you the privilege of being the first to be attended to, regardless if others are more sick and need immediate help.
Oftentimes, it's the waiting that makes things so much worse for sick people. The lack of immediate attention to their problem, degrades their health even more which makes it harder to recover.
Thanks for your words! :)
If I have lots of money maybe I'll distribute some to the least ones, the most unfortunate people on the planet.
I don't want to give money to those who already have and expect them to give me as well in return or make profits from giving.
Loving people who could also love you would earn you no credits or merits.
About happiness and money, Bob Marley has to say:
“Money is numbers and numbers never end. If it takes money to be happy, your search for happiness will never end.”
That's very kind of you that you'd want to help out the less fortunate if you had more than enough money.
About the quote though, I do agree that chasing money is unhealthy, but it's also true that a certain amount is necessary to stay happy.
You can't expect a poor person to be completely happy with their lives if they can't even afford food or medicine or a roof over their heads.
If you're not healthy, no matter how much you try, you can't be truly happy. At least that's what I believe.
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by ayushjalan from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, someguy123, neoxian, followbtcnews, and netuoso. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows. Please find us at the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
If you would like to delegate to the Minnow Support Project you can do so by clicking on the following links: 50SP, 100SP, 250SP, 500SP, 1000SP, 5000SP.
Be sure to leave at least 50SP undelegated on your account.
Thanks for using eSteem!
Your post has been voted as a part of eSteem encouragement program. Keep up the good work! Install Android, iOS Mobile app or Windows, Mac, Linux Surfer app, if you haven't already!
Learn more: https://esteem.app
Join our discord: https://discord.gg/8eHupPq
If you have money to spend,it will bring temporary happiness
People realises happiness can't be earned through money only after accumulating money, rightly said money is necessary evil.
Conclusion:-Money is one of the important tool to acheive happiness
Posted using Partiko Android
I think you missed the entire point of the post. We're discussing how money influences your long-term happiness, not how it brings temporary satisfaction.
Also, you said money "will bring temporary happiness" but in your conclusion you said it's "one of the important tool to acheive happiness," how do you make sense of both in the same answer?
It is the lack of money the cause of all evil... I love money no matter, give me money if you doesn't like it.
Wow, I totally agree with you. I spend my time and effort to share my ideas and learn something valuable. Finally I know that this is the way to be happy.
I'm glad you found my article useful :)