Summary

The article argues that money is essential for happiness, as it provides the means to satisfy basic needs, offers freedom to choose one's activities, buys time for personal growth, enables charitable giving, supports entrepreneurial endeavors, and ensures access to healthcare and life's necessities.

Abstract

The author of the article refutes the adage "money doesn't buy happiness," asserting that a lack of money can lead to a preoccupation with survival, leaving no mental space for happiness. Money is depicted as a tool that purchases not just material comforts but also the freedom to engage in activities that bring joy and fulfillment, rather than being constrained by obligatory tasks. The article suggests that financial stability allows individuals to pursue their passions, support others, and invest in experiences that contribute to long-term happiness. Moreover, it highlights the importance of money in critical situations, such as healthcare emergencies, which can be a matter of life and death, particularly in countries without universal healthcare. The author also references academic research to underscore that while money isn't the sole source of happiness, it is a significant factor that should not be underestimated.

Opinions

The belief that "money doesn't buy happiness" is considered toxic and a sign of privilege, implying that only those who have never faced financial hardship can hold such a view.
Being broke is portrayed as a significant barrier to happiness because it forces individuals to focus solely on meeting basic needs, leaving little room for joy or personal growth.
The article emphasizes that money provides the option to prioritize "want-to-dos" over "have-to-dos," which is crucial for happiness.
It is argued that money buys time, which is invaluable for exploring what truly brings happiness to one's life.
The author suggests that giving money to charitable causes is a source of happiness and that those without money cannot engage in such acts of generosity.
Entrepreneurship is presented as a path to happiness for those who wish to escape traditional employment, and money is necessary to start a business.
The article points out that money can act as a means to "skip the line" in various life situations, saving time and providing opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.
The author, as a parent, expresses that money is essential for providing for a child's needs and for spending quality time with them.
Access to money in emergency situations, especially for healthcare in countries like the US, is described as vital for survival and happiness.
The author acknowledges that money alone does not guarantee happiness and that it must be spent wisely, citing research that suggests experiences and helping others can enhance happiness more than material possessions.
The article concludes by advocating for the recognition of money's role in happiness and the importance of earning money as a legitimate and primary reason for working.

If You Believe “Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness,” You Grew up Privileged

Being broke reveals why money brings true happiness

Money is evil.

That’s what some suckers want you to believe. It’s cliche to say “money doesn’t buy happiness” … but it’s the most toxic belief you can hold.

Not understanding money guarantees you’ll be secretly unhappy.

Being broke reveals true happiness

The headline of this story comes from Cammi Pham.

She calls BS on the angels with wings who claim money doesn’t matter. The only way you could be so delusional is if you grew up privileged with daddy’s silver spoon in your mouth.

When you’re broke your basic needs aren’t met. I’ve been there. I’ve lost everything. When essential purchases are near-impossible to make, you can’t get money off the brain.

Money becomes like a mental disease.

Your mind has no capacity to think about anything other THAN money. How can you be happy with zero headspace?

You can’t.

Only a trust fund baby who got a baby blue BMW for their 21st birthday would be so naive as to think money makes no difference to one’s life.

Here’s what money does buy you…

Money buys you “want-to-dos” instead of “have-to-dos”

To-do lists can be the ultimate happiness killer.

In a 2006 viral essay by Enlightened Caveman (Chris Wilson), titled “Advice For New College Grads,” he introduces the idea of “want-to-dos” versus “have-to-dos.”

Most of us get have-to-dos every day. If we don’t do them we risk our food and shelter. When money is no longer scarce, it buys you a call option on the future. You get to pick what items from the list you WILL & WON’t do.

It’s important to note you don’t need to be a billionaire to experience this level of happiness. No. Even 6-figures is enough to stop being forced to do stuff you don’t want to do. It all depends on the cost of your lifestyle.

For me, I don’t do expensive things, so it’s easier to reach this nirvana.

The point is, being told what to do robs you of your freedom. That reality steals away any chance of happiness you can have. Many people know this deep down but they live in denial.

“I’m happy without money” “I’m happy without money” “I’m happy without money.”

Shut up. No you’re not. Stop lying.

Money buys you valuable time

Maybe $100 notes in your hand doesn’t make you happy.

But when you’re desperate for money that doesn’t make you happy either. Like, how happy would you be begging in the street for your next meal?

Not very, right?

Money buys time. With that time you can use it to discover what things in life make you happy. That’s a powerful mental shift.

We have to conduct happiness experiments. Let money pay for them.

Money lets you do the greatest thing of all

All the virtue signaling of the “money doesn’t buy happiness” crowd is upside down.

Give away enough money to charitable causes and you’ll quickly see what true happiness is. Money can help a lot of people in starving countries.

It can help those without water.
It can help prevent malaria.

Thinking money doesn’t buy happiness is thinking too small.

Money lets you start a business

Not all of us want to work for “the man” for the rest of our lives.

Some of us will be happier running our own businesses and being self-led. It’s why I hate college so much.

A $200K MBA from a prestigious, elitist university is actually better spent starting a business — not reading about a business. Those who have no money have zero chance of starting a business.

Money allows you to skip the line

Doors in life with money opportunities behind them require you to ask for permission.

Wait for a pay rise.
Wait for a promotion.
Wait to be accepted as a member.
Wait for your college application to be approved.

Screw that. Money can help you skip lines. Think about a rock concert. You can wait at the entrance and hope to get a photo with Kiss, or you can buy the VIP ticket and guarantee you do.

Every time you skip the line you save time.

Time is worth more than money.

Money pays for balls of poop

I’ve got a newborn baby. Money is damn helpful.

It buys my daughter diapers, wet wipes, medicine when she’s sick, a safe car seat, an SUV to get around, a pram, and when she’s old enough, it buys her childcare.

Ask a parent who can’t afford childcare what that’s like. I can guarantee you they’re not happy. Or ask an overworked parent how happy they are when they never get to see their kid.

My kid = happiness

Money buys me more time with her little snot face.

Money buys your life back in an emergency

If you live in the US, this one’s for you.

Money buys you healthcare. Ask an American who can’t afford healthcare and has cancer how happy they are. Then you’ll see.

Money gets you the best medical treatment that can save your life. Without it, in America, you’ll likely be left for dead. No joke.

Money doesn’t make you as happy as you think

Wait, what?

It’s not all gravy baby. Elizabeth W. Dunn from the University of British Columbia wrote an academic paper titled “If Money Doesn’t Make You Happy You Probably Aren’t Spending It Right.”

To increase happiness she recommends we buy experiences instead of material possessions, use money to help others, focus on small pleasures instead of big ones, and to delay consumption.

While these things can help with happiness … the scientists featured in the paper concluded after decades of research that:

“Money buys happiness, but it buys less than most people think.”

What a slap in the face. Soz.

Final Thought

Let’s cut the crap and stop the steal.

We’ve gotta stop thinking money has nothing to do with happiness. It does to a degree. As sassy recruiter Robyn Story with a cult following on LinkedIn says, we don’t just work for:

Great company culture
Satisfaction
Fulfillment

No. We work for money. So let’s stop being all virtue-signally and normalize that we go to work for money and that’s okay.

Money is how we buy some of our happiness.

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