AIBU to think, can money buy happiness? in some ways, it absolutely can!

For me, more money would make me very happy as I’d have the choice to do what I wanted to do rather than what I have to do. The money itself doesn’t give the happiness, it’s the options/choices it enables that gives the happiness.

I am always left scratching my head when rich people say they’re unhappy. They have all the money they need to make the changes to create the life they want. If they’d just give their money to me I’d show them how it’s done 🤣

Money hasn't necessarily bought you long term happiness; you have pride (some might say smugness) in achieving the home of your dreams, but ten years down the line will you still feel like this about your home and your ten year old car?

Conversely, those people who leave high powered stressful jobs to pursue a low paid more satisfying life-style, I think do have happier lives.

Maybe for some people it can buy happiness.
Some people rule their lives with their head, some with their heart....I suspect the head crowd would agree that indeed money can and does buy happiness.

I would be very unhappy if I were living in poverty. I am fortunate to be very comfortably off, this gives me freedom from worry. Which is priceless. My husband, son, family and friends bring me happiness.

Why do you care? It was a well ordered easy to read post. It’s her thoughts and feelings. It was audience appropriate. Get over it.

100% agree.

It can buy health too. From access to private medical advice and treatment to affording an excellent diet, gyms and trainers.

Growing up on a very large family, we only got one bath a week, the rest of the week it was a wash at the sink. Hot water was a luxury.

Cost of living rises has an even bigger, negative impact people on lower income and benefits. People are having to chose between heat and food, or not eating so they have enough to feed their DC.

Money gives people choices and that is the most valuable thing to have.

If you have incurable cancer and you suddenly win the lottery, you still have incurable cancer.

The only difference is you'll be more comfortable due to the money, and reassurred you'll have something to leave your loved ones.

But you'll still be desperately unhappy you're going to die of incurable cancer.

This I agree with.

Knowing I have a chunky-sized amount of savings I can dip into for emergencies is a lovely, comforting feeling, especially with no partner to lean on. To not have that ‘How will I pay my phone bill next month?’ or the ‘How can I afford to replace my leaking washing machine’ type worries anymore makes my life that bit easier.

The sad reality of our NHS though is that money may well be what saves you from cancer. You can have private annual health screenings. You can see a consultant within a week at the slightest hint of a symptom and get the scans and tests done without delay. Therefore you can get diagnosed at an early stage. Your treatment is informed by medical need not cost cutting policies.

I see it in the people around me. Those with private health insurance and financial means are faring far better health wise than those struggling to get by. One wel off friend had a few changes in bowel habits, decided something wasn't quite right and was in front of a consultant within a week. Very early stage bowel cancer diagnosed and successfully treated. Another less well off friend was back and forth to GP for well over a year, kept being dismissed, eventually ended up in A&E in agony and was diagnosed with a bowel obstruction and stage 4 bowel cancer and was dead a few months later.

It sure can.

And it can buy love.

Maybe it's more accurate to say it can remove quite a lot of misery. Quite a lot of problems CAN be fixed with money. Not all, but a lot. Depends what your problems were.

I’m in a fortunate position in my life where I am in a happy relationship, my kids are doing ok and I’m generally content with my life. The only stressor I have is money. Both kids are in private school (had to move eldest from state secondary in yr 9. Youngest then had to be given the same opportunity for private education). I’ve had to remortgage to pay the school fees. The anxiety around finances is constant. It affects how much I sleep at night. It hangs heavy every day. I have no pension and am constantly worried about whether I’ll ever be able to retire or will have to work until I die.

In my situation, a windfall would absolutely buy me happiness. It’s the only missing piece in the jigsaw of my life currently.

I hope you do, money can buy peace of mind when it comes to material goods, health care, affording luxuries, and so on.

I have been skint and happy, skint and sad, better off, both happy and sad.

Death, illness, heartache, arguments, interaction with family, friends, people in general...money cant help when dealing with all those emotions, and imo, that's what makes a persons life either happy or not.

Money gives you choice, and maybe the illusion of happiness because you get to choose the tap… in reality, that tap gives you maybe a minute more when making a cup of tea?

My happiest time was when I was on the bones… but was in great health.

Now I’m struggling with my health, but can afford stuff. I’d rather have my health back!

Not having wankers for neighbours would make me happy 😄. But yes I agree that money can buy happiness - the time aspect is the main part I think. More time equals less stress and worry.

if I had enough money then I could reduce or stop working which would massively change my outlook on life. No it couldn’t stop me dying of an awful disease but it could improve the end.

It can't buy happiness as such, but it can buy you less stress and more time. And lack of money can make you miserable.

Whilst my job is very stressful with very long hours, and often requires evening and weekend working, I am very aware that overall my life is probably less stressful than that of someone working 9 to 5 and barely making ends meet. We have a housekeeper several times a week, regularly gardener, regular handyman visits, house done exactly as we want it, if something breaks it is a minor irritation and quickly replaced, several holidays a year, private healthcare as needed, if we need something we just buy it without a much thought etc.

I often think about taking a more low key job, but I worry I would be more stressed overall as I wouldn't be able to throw money at problems.

There’s several things at play here I think. Having got everything you need/want to live a comfortable life means that you’re not constantly looking to acquire the next thing. This also gives you mental space from the constant more/next things dynamic too.

If we won the lottery we wouldn’t acquire a bunch of extra stuff including properties we’d buy more time and less stress. So private flights but still still stay in a rental/hotel.
Private chef to prepare healthy meals to our likes to pop in the oven later.
Nice luxurious holidays with our young adult kids with their partners.
Maybe a driver.

But we don’t need another house. Anything I build up as inheritance is going largely to the state.

Id put a couple of million into my business to see if could really take off and not have to wait and see.

Apart from those things I think I’d let a lot of things go - that eat up my time to little purpose.

For me in my mid 20s I inherited a lot of money. Yes I didn’t have worries (I was wrongly told I couldn’t buy but had deposit so could’ve got guarantor mortgage) re money but I wasn’t necessarily happier because of it.

Parenting with money is an infinitely more enjoyable experience than doing so without.

I think what it means is that it won't bring loved ones back from the dead.

If you have cancer for example it won't cure it.

If you've suffered abuse, rape, bullying etc, it won't undo that.

Money can buy comfort which in turn can make you happier, but it can't buy actual happiness.