Let’s face it, almost everyone here is stressed about money in some way, shape, or form. Maybe you have a huge, soul-crushing pile of debt (like this author). Maybe you’re hoping to make even more staggeringly huge piles of cash in your corporate career, but you’re not yet sure if that’ll come together.
In any case, this three-minute movie helpfully illustrates that past a certain point, money isn’t quite all it’s cracked up to be:
In particular, it makes three great points:
(1) Of course, having enough to support oneself and one’s family is relevant to our happiness. But it looks like there’s a ceiling on how much money can make you happier, and the location of that ceiling might surprise you:
“Humans are very sensitive to change. When we get a raise or commission, we really enjoy it. But we adapt at incredible speeds to our new wealth. Some studies have shown that in North America, additional income beyond $75,000 a year ceases to impact day-to-day happiness.”
(2) The key factor in how happy your money makes you is what you choose to spend it on:
“… people who spend their money on others feel happier, and while people who spend it on themselves don’t necessarily become less happy, their happiness is unchanged.”
(3) That said, if you’re able to spend money on yourself in non-essential ways, try to invest in experiences and memories rather than things:
“Traveling or going to an event is more impactful for the vast majority of people in the long run.”
Conclusion: Money can buy (some) happiness, but only if invested wisely!
The HWSAC Team
Meeting of the Minds 