To think money can make you happier?

[sweetmotherog]

Fair enough if you're clinically depressed or grieving, then it probably won't.

But I've been on both sides of the coin and I can sincerely say I feel happier with money.

Not because I'm particularly materialistic at all, it's just nice having no worries and being able to purchase whatever you'd really like or need (within reason).

Obviously I'm not talking about the type of money (for me) that buys sports cars and mansions. But going out for dinner with DC and family, being able to go and do any activity, buying whatever I need or think would be nice....

It's just so much more effortless. Being skint is fucking miserable, as is having only enough to 'get by'. Having to watch what you spent is tiresome and boring.

AIBU to say money can make you happy?

Of course it can. So can handbags.

It does depend on why you are feeling down.

Being a skint single parent triggered my depression and anxiety.

In the last year I have a promotion that doubled my wage AND dp moved in. I am no longer skint and worrying 24/7.

I can also say that being a single parent was much less worrying when my wage went up.

Its did make me happier

"money can't buy happiness" is one of the most insidious and most effective lies capitalism has managed to tell us. of course it fucking does

I think money makes you happier up to a certain level. After basics and some extras are taken care of then extra money is immaterial.

I think money can make you happier.

For the reason you list. It makes life much less stressful in terms of achieving the barest minimum (bills paid, food on the table etc) without the stress or worry.
But even without those stresses there’s many other things that might make you unhappy that money won’t fix. Lack of social time, lack of friends, lack of a happy/healthy relationship, a job you hate/not knowing what you want to do with yourself, weight issues, health issues etc.

I think it can improve happiness/welfare.

I have fairly poor mental health, it is managed very well, but only because I can pay for medication and therapy on a private basis. If I had to rely on NHS treatment I very much doubt I would have survived my early twenties.

Yanbu. As you point out money won't fix grieving for a lost relative/friend, but even in that circumstance you'd be able to give them a much better 'send off' as it were. Anxiety/Depression may not be 'cured' by money, but I bet you'd afford the best counselling/therapy could buy; not waiting 6 months for 3 weeks of CBT on the NHS, for example.

Fair enough if you're clinically depressed or grieving, then it probably won't

It makes these things easier though, if you arent worrying about money as well.

the only ones to say the opposite are the ones trying to make themselves feel better.

Agree op. I am alone, and I would be a lot happier not worrying about paying for petrol, the bills etc. I can't imagine what that would be like though. At the moment i know I'm going to need two new front tyres in the next couple of months and I can't work out how I'm going to do that. Might look into part worn. To be able to just say, oh yes I'll get two new tyres, would be amazing.
But then I would never get the thrill of very occasionally finding something from the bakery section in asda or the co op massively reduced which I wouldn't be able afford, but being pennies I can. There's no happiness quite like that when you can't afford a treat normally!

But even without those stresses there’s many other things that might make you unhappy that money won’t fix. Lack of social time, lack of friends, lack of a happy/healthy relationship, a job you hate/not knowing what you want to do with yourself, weight issues, health issues etc.

it literally helps with all of these except maybe one

Money can pay for a cleaner, and can buy you less stress, less fights with partners about how to allocate scarce resources and can pay for a lovely environment around you.

Money can buy you a life that you can be happy in.

yanbu. Being skint is one additional stress you can live happier without.

Money can make life easier. It can buy you help in the form of a cleaner, first class travel, take away instead of cooking.
It takes stress away. Overall it’s pretty fucking useful.

Definitely.

Lacks of money affects everything about life, money makes it much better. Shit happens skint or rich.

YANBU, although it doesn't always equal happiness you're less likely to be anxious if you have it.

me looking at the final warning letter for council tax that came this morning: damn it's a good thing I'm not rich or I'd be really unhappy right now!

Money buys you choices

it literally helps with all of these except maybe one

It may help improve them, but doesn’t necessitate fix them, which may continue to make you unhappy. Is the point I was trying to make.

All the money in the world might help my sister to control her diabetes. But it won’t fix it. It won’t make her not diabetic.
Is an example of what I was trying to say.

As a PP said, it’s up to a point, then it’s diminishing returns.
There was a study about a decade (?) ago, the quoted amount for maximising happiness was a $80,000 annual income. After that if you have to sacrifice more personal time, it can reduce happiness.

You'll never really get anyone on here other than the "money gives me the power to make nice choices" crew, as if this money comes with no strings, stresses or sacrifices attached

I think money makes you happier up to a point.

If you’re constantly skimping and saving to make ends meet, then more money is obviously going to make things easier, which means less worries and more happiness.

But once someone’s at the point where their income comfortably covers all of life’s essentials and there’s enough left over for some fun luxury things - once someone’s got that amount of money coming in, then getting more money probably won’t make much difference to their overall happiness levels.

Of course it can, that's obvious, you'd think no one would disagree with that but, this being MN I'm some contraians will find a way to.

Yes it can, it can be a great relief to have some money and not have to worry. You are right that if you're clinically depressed, it will not lift your mood so in that sense, money does not buy happiness (I've had some experience of that).

It's very nice indeed to have enough and a bit more, not only for yourself but being able to help others - and be able to go away somewhere without worrying about the cost.

It's a fact of life that for many of us, money comes late in life :-). We could probably have done with it at 40 but don't get it until nearly 60. However it's never too late and our children, if we have any, benefit so that they don't have to stress as we did.

Money pretty much buys everything

A warm house, no bills to worry about, a gin and a book is a great pleasure that few have.