What percentage of happiness is financial security

[Imagineit]

Just that really. Im watching the film 'the pursuit of happiness' and it got me thinking

Well I think its often underrated

Both by people who are well off and want to sound as if its not important because its not socially acceptable to say so

And by people who are badly off because it makes them feel better to say that

The reality is that financial security provides..... security and that comes with a position of comfort and advantage

A large amount I'd say. I am financially secure for the first time in my life and it has brought me a lot happiness, even when other things aren't 100%

Previously I had a job where we weren't being paid properly and I was living hand to mouth. I was in a dark place.

In my case, 80%.

I grew up financially insecure, or at least my mother made me feel that way. I remember feeling powerless as a child to do anything about it.

Everything I have done since I was old enough to was to put myself in a position of financial security - from applying myself to studies to choosing a lucrative professional to saving/investments and lifestyle.

It gives me so much peace of mind that if I lost my job or in this current cost of living crisis, my family and I would be able to weather it.

A huge amount of security comes from knowing there's money in the bank for emergencies if they arise rather than limping along from payday to payday (or worse still trying to get by when one has lost their job) and hoping for the best.

I dont know about happiness as so many things make that feeling fluctuate, but feeling safe is a very powerful feeling in itself and finacial security really adds to that feeling.

I'd say 70%, for me. I've been poor in the past, Im not now, and I never ever want to go through that again. I"ve worked hard in life. I have an inheritance now, on top of that. Money = security, less worry, being able to have nice experiences for yourself and DC's, helping DC's with education etc.

If I'm ever in a down mood I remember that you feel far worse when you're broke too. No more struggle life for me.

30% financial security
30% health
30% love
10% anything extra you're lucky to have

Yes, of course. The ability to plan, the confidence to take a risk, the insulation from many world problems, a full belly, a warm home, dignity, the financial mean to participate fully in society, breathing space to make a mistake, far more freedom to escape from peril. Anyone who tells you that financial security doesn't bring happiness is selling you a romantic myth or lacks imagination.

ALL of it

Even having money helps me with my health conditions. I would do almost anything (apart from sex/porn) to have financial security

If there was a crime that harmed no one but I could get away with it to get financial security I would

I'll go, 70% based on the above.

Money = choices.
Choices = freedom.
Freedom = happiness

Having said that there are many people who are happy with an empty honey pot and a broken balloon and many who are unhappy a la Gloria Venderbilt. So perhaps it all comes down to the ability to love.

I don't think it is that way around. Money can't buy happiness, but you do need to have enough, if you don't have enough then it becomes a source of stress which will affect your happiness negatively.

There is a certain amount you need to earn after which it has no further effect on happiness, it was about 30k several years ago, it must be higher now. Maybe 40, 50k? I can't remember how long ago it was. I do remember 30k seeming like a lot over a basic salary and thinking if I ever earned that I'd be happy then.

Below that amount it probably starts digging into the possibility of the higher levels of Mazlow's hierarchy of needs. Once you get down to a level of income that's restricting your access to the lower levels, well then you're really going to struggle.

It's over £100k now Bertie apparently

Money doesn't buy happiness but I'd rather cry in a ferrari...

Grew up piss-poor, still scruffy now but secure. Much better.

My mother dinned into me "darling it's better to be poor and happy than rich and miserable, but golly if you are miserable, it's bearable if you are rich."

I think the point is if you have financial security you don’t have to worry about money on top or other problems. Always at the back of my mind I’m thinking this would all be so much easier if I wasn’t skint the entire time.

it must be lovely not to have to wake up and not feel panicky because you only have £10 in your account ok until the end of the month - I have dyslexia and learning difficulties so struggled at school - I have a job which which i enjoy but terrible pay 🙄 but just about keeps a roof over my head so i should be thankful for that - I just wished I had the ability when I was younger to be able to get a proper profession and go to university - I had the drive but could not get to grips with learning and was always bottom of the class!

90%. I’ve been poor and now I’m not. And I’m much happier and more secure knowing that I can buy my way out of any difficulty and I can go on holiday or out for dinner whenever I want.

This. Exactly.

First of financial security is a state of mind.
I know very wealthy people who seem to think they'are.buying one descent present away from being bankrupt?

However for those of us who don't have proper savings etc then having some back up is extremely important.

A few year's ago I worried all the time about our old boiler etc and now we have enough savings to buy a new one if necessary so that makes me happy!

62.1375 %

I think its more that it takes some worries away rather than brings happiness. Something breaks, I can fix it. Need a break? I can go on holiday. Lose my job? I'm good for a while. Those lack of worries generally make me happier, rather than the money itself making me happy.

90%

A huge percentage.
Money gives you choices .
I have never been destitute but have lived hand to mouth when young buying my first property .
Now I am in a totally different financial position and never worrying if anything goes wrong gives huge relief .
Money buys peace of mind .