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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think money DOES/Would bring happiness?

100 replies

M0naLisa · 04/03/2012 10:14

So we go on holiday to America we have a fabulous time, we go on weekaways with or without the kids monthly, we enjoy ourselves we spend lots on the food shop per week. Although most weekends we eat out at restaurants/pub meals etc etc
Days out with the kids which they enjoy

We're very happy

Then i wake up!!!!!

Yes i dreamt it :(

So aibu to think Money does/could bring happiness?

OP posts:
fuzzpig · 04/03/2012 10:15

I would certainly be happier if we had more money. But it sure as hell wouldn't solve everything.

lurkerspeaks · 04/03/2012 10:17

Money makes it easier to enjoy yourself and can make life simpler (eg. can't be bothered to cook you can buy either pre prepared food, take away or go out) however if the problem is essentially that you have no friends, or can't have the children you desperately want regardless of lots of IVF it doesn't really solve the problem.

Have you not heard about gilded cages?

dubbada · 04/03/2012 10:17

It sure as hell makes things alot easier,

so more likely to increase the chances of being happier.

balotelli · 04/03/2012 10:18

While money itself may not bring 'happiness' as such, it certainly can relieve many of the streese and woes of day to day life that can be a major cause of 'unhappiness'

I know I will never have massive amounts of money, I am happy. I have a good job, wonderful wife and family, a reasonable house in a fairly nice part of a good Northern City.
Yes a million quid would be a very nice addition to my bank account and would increase my happiness but it wouldnt make me happy, just happier.

Trills · 04/03/2012 10:19

If you think money can't buy you happiness then you just don't know the right places to shop.

Or - money doesn't buy happiness but lack of money brings plenty of misery.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 04/03/2012 10:19

Money alone does not bring happiness, but the lack of it can contribute hugely to misery and unhappiness.

alessthandomesticgoddess · 04/03/2012 10:24

Money would solve all of my problems. I have a great partner, great children, decent friends, good health etc. Money would mean I would have more time as the cooking/cleaning/job situation would be sorted. I could take us travelling, buy things we need, buy things we want etc.

I'm not materialistic but if I had the money I'm sure material things would be grand.

treadwarily · 04/03/2012 10:31

In fact I have found the reverse to be true, a dose of poverty forced me to downsize/simplify/slow down/re-use etc and life has never been better. Of course if you are already blessed with the ability to enjoy your life, then money will no doubt enhance that further.

SmethwickBelle · 04/03/2012 10:38

Money gives you choices, and having no choice/s sucks.

Of course there probably comes a point where you're just choosing between different diamond clad shoes and that's all a bit irrelevant to happiness.

I think a lot of money must be a burden in a sense, thinking of say, the Beckhams with their various homes, all that maintenance, bills, tax that has to be sorted out - how many people must that involve - they'd have to delegate and entrust all sorts to others then you aren't in control yourself as much.

Of course I'd somehow come to terms with that burden if anyone wants to chuck a fortune at me. Grin

Original poster
M0naLisa · 04/03/2012 10:42

treadwarily
i agree that i think sometimes people with money do need to realise what life is like without money.

See take my maternal family for example. They have money they squander it like its toilet paper. My oldest cousin has NEVER made a meal in her life - because it would mean washing up Hmm

My 2nd oldest cousin gets married in April in Florida - yet was upset when some family couldnt go to the wedding i.e me and my family because cant afford the price of around £7,000 for us to go. like yesterday my cousin was putting on facebook she was sorting more wedding preps out at Tiffany & Co...Confused

When they are 'skint' its down to their last £1,000.

My auntie once had a go at me because i had a new mobile phone contract...my husband was working, earning a good wage a month (good wage for us) and she had the cheek to say 'but you cant afford a mobile phone contract'
I proceeded to tell her that its the same mobile phone contract id had for the last year and it was a new phone that i had bought from a friend for £45.

OP posts:
troisgarcons · 04/03/2012 10:43

Money makes misery more comfortable.

TinkerSailerSoldierSpy · 04/03/2012 10:44

Money can lead to happiness but not at the expense of family and friends. If you have to choose between them and money I would chose them.

Original poster
M0naLisa · 04/03/2012 10:46

I once posted on FB about teatime or something and id said something like
'You cant beat a good fully home cooked meal, better than ANY restaurant hands down'

And a cousin replied
'i disagree homemade food isnt as great as some restaurants and plus who would do the washing up?'

i posted with 'well you havent tasted my homemade cooking and in our house if i cook DH washes up and vice versa!!'

OP posts:
Original poster
M0naLisa · 04/03/2012 10:46

I think money makes people ignorant!!

OP posts:
Morloth · 04/03/2012 10:46

Life is easier with money. It doesn't make you happy in itself but it can certainly smooth away a bunch of things that cause unhappiness.

I have been rich and I have been poor and being rich is better. No amount of pretending otherwise is going to change that.

There is nothing in the world I need that I can't have, this never ceases to amaze me.

Original poster
M0naLisa · 04/03/2012 10:47

tinker
My family would choose money hands down!!!

They wouldnt know how to survive on £100 per week

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 04/03/2012 10:47

I think money alone doesn't make happiness, but a lack of it certainly cause unhappiness.

I was in the car last weekend with my DD and three other girls when one of them said (at the end of a conversation about winning their plans if they won the lottery, lol) anyway money can't buy you happiness...

This was met with lots of scoffing from the other materialistic twins, so I said, well money definitely makes some things easier, but things like love are more important and you can't buy that.

Then, a voice from the back piped up, but if you've got lots of money you can buy lots of cats and they'll love you.

It's been making me giggle all week Grin

SunflowersSmile · 04/03/2012 10:49

A bigger house would de stress us all I think. We would all go to the dentist more regularly. I would get new glasses..
Money would be nice...

cutegorilla · 04/03/2012 10:49

One of my favourite quotes, I can't remember where from though "Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a better quality of misery."

Everybody has stress, worry and unhappiness in their lives no matter how much money they have. Just look at the rich and famous, how many of them do you think are truly happy?

fatherchewylouis · 04/03/2012 10:49

Depends what it is that is missing in your life to make you happy.

Money won't improve self-esteem, confidence, depression/mental illness in general, or physical illness even, or bereavement, lonleyness, or inability to get pregnant etc etc, I could go on...

Having money MAY improve your chances in a couple of those areas but only marginally.

I think it's unfair to assume if someone has money their life should be rosy.

Of course people without money have all the above problems too, obviously with added worried of paying the bills so life may be a bit easier for the ones with money but the money won't necessarilly make them happy.

tabulahrasa · 04/03/2012 10:50

Tweens autocorrected to twins btw, I didn't have lots of twins in my car

CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/03/2012 10:53

YANBU.... There's a level of 'enough' money everyone needs for a basic feeling of security, contentment and comfort. It's a lot easier to have a good relationship with a partner when you're not stressed out and arguing about money. Doesn't mean life with money has zero problems or that happiness is guaranteed but it's a whole lot better than than trying to live life in a state of insecurity, discontent and discomfort.

susiedaisy · 04/03/2012 10:54

IMO havin enough money brings you peace of mind and a sense of security, I'm not talking about winning the lottery but just havin enough to pay all your bills with some left over, Theres also alot to be said for havin job security and a regular guaranteed income which sadly is hard to find these days!

lesley33 · 04/03/2012 10:54

Material things like a brand new car instead of an old one does not imo make you happy. But money gives you choices and this can make you very happy. For example, can we afford to move away from neighbours from hell even though it might take ages to sell the house so paying mortgage and rent at same time? Can I afford to go part time to spend more time with my dcs? Can I afford to give up my job I hate?

I dop think not having to think about money when buying everyday stuff makes an enormous difference as well. So for example, you are all tired - well lets just go in that cafe and have a drink - just small things like that make life much easier.

lambethlil · 04/03/2012 10:55

It gives you choices. If you then make the wrong ones there are options.