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?

AbsentmindedWoman - I am in total agreement with you there! Also a type 1 and the idea of being poor and chronically ill is horrible. Being able to afford to pay for the extra things that I need to manage my condition makes such a difference even if it means I cut down on other luxuries. Other people don’t get that choice.

Yanbu

I think good mental health has to go hand in hand with it, or you'll not be in a position to spend your money wisely and will likely end up using it to damage yourself or others. We can all think of rich, well connected, beautiful but ultimately miserable or destructive people who ended up dead from Heroin/Cocaine etc. And a few survivors who realised if they didn't sober up and find something really meaningful to do with their lives they'd end up the same way. You all know who i'm talking about, I'm sure.

It would make me less stressed so in a way yes it would make me happier.

Money buys you freedom and choices, which in turn can make you happier and your life much more enjoyable.

I always think people who say money can’t buy happiness have never had money worries. Most anxiety and stress comes from having money related issues. And can certainly ease problems which do cause you unhappiness, for example if your DP walks out you are obviously going to experience unhappiness but having worries about how you can manage financially compounds that unhappiness. Obviously helps if you have financial security.

Money does make a difference to quality of life, many members of my own family struggle and it is sad to not be able to go out or buy yoursef something nice or having to be careful of every £ you spend! Money does not buy health and I also think being too greedy causes many peoples downfalls but I have truly struggled with no money for food, and its truly miserable!

Money can’t buy you happiness but it can make being miserable a fucktonne easier.

And even in terms of health, no it can't fix a condition but it can make having it a lot more comfortable.

It can mean the difference between discovering something is wrong through private healthcare in days/weeks compared to months . Sometimes that can literally be the difference between life and death.
It can help with having time off,numerous hospital visits,meals etc .

It can give you the option of exploring various therapies around the world and access to top doctors.

It can give you access to better support,lifestyle etc.

Sometimes it won't make any difference and it's heartbreaking like for everyone else, but it's sure damn better than being broke.

We might all end up in a coffin, but there's no denying that being poor and disadvantaged gets you there a lot faster.

As others have said it certainly makes life easier, if you aren’t worrying about bills and making ends meet then you have more time/money to do things you like, spend time with family etc and are therefore more likely to be happy. You can buy time, which is a true luxury.

I’ve heard there is apparently a wealth/happiness ceiling, as in after a certain amount of money you plateau and don’t get any happier. I imagine this might be true, as money doesn’t necessarily help things like marital problems, illness, clashes with friends and family etc. If a closed loved one is an alcoholic for example, yes you can afford help for them but it money doesn’t solve the difficulties.

It can’t buy happiness but it can relieve you from certain worries and it can certainly buy you an easier and comfortable life.

In some cases it can dramatically improve one’s life circumstances. One of my best friends is an immigrannt in my home country and can not afford to go back to her homeland as much as she wants/needs. She feels quite depressed because she can’t afford to move back but wants nothing more. If she’d win the lottery today, she’d move back tomorrow and surely would be 100% happier then she is now. So in her case, definetly.

I’m about to become a single mother with a child on the way. I’m so stressed about finances I feel so depressed and stressed.
I felt much happier when I knew I had a bit of spare cash and I could buy the kids things they need without scraping by. That comfort made me feel much better in so many ways.
It’s rubbish that money can’t make you happy. Those who say that haven’t had to live in poverty worrying where the kids next meal is coming from.

Money can’t buy you happiness - it can if the source of your unhappiness is poverty.

Money gives you choices. That in itself can lead to a happier life. Of course it doesn’t take away illness, death, depression but having it helps you to a certain extent to be able to look after yourself while going through a bad time.

Absolutely

It won’t take away heartache or sadness but can take away other stresses that can add pressure in life

I can’t make ends meet at the moment and it’s very very stressful it occupies my thoughts constantly

I thought it was pretty clearly proven that it does up to a certain point? IIRC in the UK it's something like 60 or 70 grand a year, so more than most people would have but also not mansion money. Satisfaction and contentment go a long way, and I have certainly met people who didn't have loads but were much happier than people who had more and it wasn't enough. But you have to have sufficient to cover the basics in the first place. I don't believe anyone can be happy if they're worrying about how to get enough food for all their family.

I love money, can’t do without it.

"Money can’t fix poor health,"

It can alleviate the symptoms and effects.

I fought for a year to get PIP awarded, during this time i lived in misery. I didn't win it, but three months later i put in again and got it.

This meant an extra £5k a year.

It meant i could afford to adequately heat my house so i could move around it easier. I could get taxis to my local shopping centre and see proper shops.

I didn't have to live on £1 pizzas.

I could buy a bit better skin care to make up for the effects of my illness.

I could also treat my Grandchildren (and DD) to the local sift play. Just watching them did me the world of good.

I could afford to attend Counselling sessions to do with coming to terms with disability.

I was Widowed after being a carer to my DH. We had three children. We got the £2k grant and later i got Widowed Parents Allowance. That did make a difference and helped while grieving. A good part went on my Children's first Birthday/Christmas without him and not having the financial worry made a massive difference.

Those that say money doesn't matter in those times have never been on the breadline.

I think it depends on the individual. Not everyone would use an extra £5k per year as constructively as @ponoka7. I've met people who would gamble away most of it in the hope of more. We're all different.

Makes life easier with more choice. Not happier.

It does help, but having worked for the mega rich, a lot of them were working 7days a week to maintain the lifestyle (maintenance to the 2 or 3 ex wives, the cars, the boat, the houses in different countries the kids private school fees etc) & they were very miserable.

Sorry, didn't mean to abandon my own thread!

I have read all of the replies and agree with most.

I'm surprised to see most people agree with me! I thought I was in for a thrashing

Off to TK Maxx after work to pick up a few Peppa pig themed toys for DS that I've seen. It wouldn't be possible if I was really skint, and to me that would make me quite unhappy if I couldn't treat my boy. Additionally though, I still love a bargain and will still walk away from something if it's ridiculously priced... with the exception to make-up products that I use religiously

Money makes life easier but It didn't make Me happier.

It does help, but having worked for the mega rich, a lot of them were working 7days a week to maintain the lifestyle (maintenance to the 2 or 3 ex wives, the cars, the boat, the houses in different countries the kids private school fees etc) & they were very miserable.

Thata not money thats made them miserable. Thata poor choices. They had/have the money to make those choices.
Likely if they had less money they would still have made poor choices.

I grew piss poor. Started work at 18 and saves a deposit for a house. I could see the way the housing market was going in early 2000. So bought a house. Dp (who I then married moved). He was shir with money and we would go from having money to him blowing it all he was very controlling and abusive in other ways.

In the end I got fed up. The mortgage woildnt get paid, money would disappear etc.

I was lucky. I maintained my career and wasnt a sahm. Getting paid 25k meant that I could leave. Got divorced and bought a new house for me and the kids.

I was in the middle. Having my own wage coming in meant that I was in a better position than many women. Having my own wage meant leaving was easier because I didnt have the worry of how I was going to pay for things.

Then I was diagnosed with PTSD and was on the sick. So skint again. Ended up taking on some debt. Went back to work and was skint, trying to manage the debt and give day to day, work and provide for the kids. Not having any spare money and constantly worrying, made it really hard.
My depression got worse. I was always anxious and ended up of work again.

A year before I interviewed with a company but declined their offer. They got in touch again. I spoke to the CEO explained the PTSD and depression and that I had been off work. We talked it through, it didnt bother him. He was so impressed at my last interview and experience he wanted some to work for him. We signed my contract and I left my own jobm my first month was paid leave. He let me spend another month with my kids. Getting f ready to come back and paid me for it. He also paid me 40% more that my last job.

It was like winning the lottery. With a good months wage under my belt, life was easier again. I have cleared the debt. Live in the same house, still stick to same budget. Have savings, treat the kids.

I am nor obsessively checking my bank account. I can easily afford childcare bills, food, gas and electric. First time in years I am looking forward to christmas as I can afford it. No stress. My depression is ok because of medication, which I can afford.

Honestly, I look over my life. When I look at the bad times and the times I have been ill, money would have made life better.

If doeant make you happy on it's own. But I cant thi I of one situation where it doesnt help a bad situation.

It can be a double edged sword. Imaging that you just won the lotto . So now you are seriously rich. New friends appear in the new places you start to frequent. Do they actually like you for you ? Or just want a free ride ? You start second guessing the reasons and motives if everyone around you . Begging letters start appearing every post delivery . Jealous people scratch you new swanky car or steal it.

( I read a thesis on this not that long ago !)

That's said , I'd rather be comfortable than uncomfortable and money can certainly fix that.