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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think life is just so much nicer with a bit of money

134 replies

Idontwantaworldfullofrobots · 14/12/2022 13:20

I’m not talking loads necessarily but just not constantly watching what you spend.
We’ve had times where we’ve had to watch every penny (currently sort of like this but grateful to have nice Christmas dinner & presents for Dd) and times in the past where we could go for mini breaks at Christmas or nice meals out and activities, maybe treat each other, not huge things. Life is just so much more enjoyable with a bit of money and really quite crap without, isn’t it

OP posts:
Dotjones · 14/12/2022 13:24

Yes it's amazing how much a lack of money hurts your mental health. When I got made redundant a few years ago I got a £14,000 payout. It was astonishing how much this safety net helped my mental health. Of course it's long gone now and I'm back to my usual miserable self.

The point I took from this is that you don't need a huge sum of money to feel much happier - you just need a decent amount that is more than you require to live

LikeAStar1994 · 14/12/2022 13:24

Yep, I'm with you. I have never agreed with the term "Money can't buy happiness"

It can and does in many ways.

Butchyrestingface · 14/12/2022 13:26

It may not buy you happiness, but it buys you a better standard of misery.

Original poster
Idontwantaworldfullofrobots · 14/12/2022 13:27

@LikeAStar1994 Agree, when I was younger and naive I thought money couldn’t buy happiness…but I barely had any responsibilities and alI my earnings went to me, I had a great time. As you get older, I think you see things differently

OP posts:
potniatheron · 14/12/2022 13:27

Oh my god! Absolutely. I've been poor (as in not able to pay rent, no safety net, £5 to last the week poor) and now I've got some savings and am more comfortable. My mental health is definitely better now. Being poor is stressful.

OatFox · 14/12/2022 13:28

100%

tealandteal · 14/12/2022 13:30

They say money can’t buy happiness but it can but peace of mind. I feel so much more relaxed this mat leave than with my eldest when we scraped by. Hardly rolling it now but can afford some treats at Christmas for example.

chipsandpeas · 14/12/2022 13:36

but money doesnt buy happiness, it can provide financial security and can make life easier but it doesnt insulate you from all the other shite life can bring

xyhere · 14/12/2022 13:39

Yep. Money doesn't buy happiness, but it does remove a hell of a lot of crap that causes unhappiness.

And...there have been times in my life when money would have literally solved all of my problems.

I've found that the majority of people who trot out that particular phrase have either never been poor, or have lives much simpler than most.

anyoneanyoneanyone · 14/12/2022 13:40

Recently I had £0 in my bank and I have a baby. I saw a £5 but it was way out of reach through some barbed wiring. I walked the 3 mile round trip home carrying some garden canes looking like a twit thinking I could reach it. People don't realise how hard life can be when you have so little to just survive on.

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 14/12/2022 13:43

Money means some of lifes biggest stresses are not there. For example your marriage might be shit, but at least you're able to stay warm and fed comfortably and can probably afford to divorce. Being poor and in a shit marriage means you're more likely to be trapped and probably freezing cold to boot.

I've been dirt poor and I've been reasonably well off. We're now in the just about managing bracket (without much wiggle room) and life is infinitely more miserable than it was when we had disposable income.

EcafTnuc · 14/12/2022 13:45

How much does stating the fucking obvious earn you?

Giggorata · 14/12/2022 13:46

Couldn't agree more. Life was miserable and stressed when we were poor.
And we were pretty good at stretching no money, growing food and having free fun days out or indoor games. But dreading shoes wearing out, bills and missing out on activities takes its toll.

i don't require pots of money (would be nice, though) but having enough for essentials plus some extra for fun makes life worth living.

Santacrazy · 14/12/2022 13:46

Of course you’re right, but I have found that outlook counts for a lot: when I have enough money I just find other things to worry about.

shropshire11 · 14/12/2022 13:47

Agree. This is the problem with taxes relentlessly going up. It erodes that feelgood factor of just having a couple of quid more than you need.

Chattycathydoll · 14/12/2022 13:48

Of course YANBU. The only people who say money can’t buy happiness are the people who already have it.

You can’t buy happiness, but you need money to enable you to find it. Money doesn’t buy happiness but lack of it causes misery.

foghead · 14/12/2022 13:49

Money doesn't buy happiness but I'd rather go through unhappy times with money than without.

Chattycathydoll · 14/12/2022 13:49

Santacrazy · 14/12/2022 13:46

Of course you’re right, but I have found that outlook counts for a lot: when I have enough money I just find other things to worry about.

do you not find that when you lack funds, you have those same things to worry about- but also money?

people argue that money doesn’t insulate you from tragedy, but lack of money doesn’t insulate you from tragedy either. You can still get sick when you’re rich but you don’t have to worry about being sick and hungry.

wintertime9 · 14/12/2022 13:50

It's only nicer with a bit of money if you have your loved ones as well.

barbrahunter · 14/12/2022 13:50

EcafTnuc · 14/12/2022 13:45

How much does stating the fucking obvious earn you?

nasty

Liorae · 14/12/2022 13:52

I'm sure anyone who has had kids with a work shy cocklodger knows what you mean.
Choose carefully.

ForfuckssakeEXHstopbeingatwat · 14/12/2022 13:52

@EcafTnuc really? I don't know . maybe as much as being an unnecessarily unpleasant twat? Feel free not to comment on a thread, it's not compulsory.
OP I agree..even on a small scale, knowing I can stop in a Costa for lunch once in a while or buy a bottle of wine rather than banging against an overdraft. It removes a large chunk of worry that allows you to focus on and deal with non financial issues.

StarDolphins · 14/12/2022 13:52

EcafTnuc · 14/12/2022 13:45

How much does stating the fucking obvious earn you?

Goodness me! Just scroll past! Rude.

Dintananadinta · 14/12/2022 13:53

Money can buy happiness. It’s not going to bring loved ones back from the dead. But an easier life is a happier life.

MariahsBaubles · 14/12/2022 13:54

Yep, I feel you OP