To think life is a bit pointless for many if you don't have much money

[Potato35]

This obviously doesn't apply to people who are happy with the bare minimum or are perhaps living mortgage or rent free or don't need to work.
Being on a low income restricts your life in so many ways. It's not about wanting millions and a luxurious lifestyle, but..
Imagine being able to go to the supermarket and not have to calculate the cost of everything to the last penny
To have choice over where you buy clothes, not just second hand/Primark etc.
To have more options about the size and conditions of your home and be able to afford the cost of renovations
Can afford more things like vitamins, supplements, health and beauty treatments
Can see more of the world
You can probably afford a pet or children
When your friends want to go to higher end restaurants you can afford to go and not just get a starter and a tap water
You can afford better food

What's the point of living to just earn a low wage and just get by? Where's the fun in life?
Somebody has to do the minimum wage jobs because many of these jobs are essential to society, like working as a carer.

It's not necessarily about material things but money gives you security and options. If you lose your job but have several months of savings behind you, it's not great but a lot better than if you live paycheck to paycheck.

If you are single and live alone, even working full time you are entitled to absolutely zero support except for the 25% council tax discount.

Life is pointless anyway. I mean, what are we actually here for. We are born, we age, we die. Some of us procreate. Even so, the human race will eventually die out and the world will continue to evolve.

You will always want more

Is there some reason why you can't plan to change your work situation so that you can progress and earn more - if earning more is important to you?

What do you think we will evolve too?

Money doesn't necessarily buy happiness...

BUT the lack of money can definitely bring unhappiness

YANBU

Yep, life is a grind for a significant majority. Always has been this way.

I hear you OP, having options in life removes a lot of stress, you can definitely feel backed into a corner when surviving on the bare minimum and no end in sight, I sympathise

You're absolutely right. Being able to do the things you list are absolutely game changing in how much of life you can access and how much peace of mind you have. You are likely to have better physical and mental health too. I don't think that life without these things is pointless. People can have fulfilling lives making the best of what they have and take joy from non material things. But to say they're not at huge disadvantage and missing out would be disingenuous. Wealth inequality is a terrible thing to be on the rubbish end of.

Yes I always phrase it as money gives you choices.

Ive been both sides, poor to the point of sharing a bed with my children so that we only had to put an electric blanket for warmth and to now where I have plenty and zero debt including housing costs. I have more choice now and that in itself makes life easier and happier. But I’ve slogged to get here and done far more learning and training than I expected at my age. It’s not come easy

Do you think it’s all relative, OP?

I say that because I feel very comfortable, but imagine more wealthy people would/could be horrified at the ability to, say, buy a new car when they want, or send their kids to private school without consideration.

I think even if you budget really well and can find pleasure in living a frugal life there is always the fear of an unexpected bill you just cannot pay such as a broken down boiler or fridge.

I think life is worth living but for people with zero buffer it must be really blood hard to stay positive and optimistic all the time.

You can have plenty of money and still not find life satisfaction. It doesn't buy you happiness, it just makes misery more comfortable.

I've got a friend who is quite wealthy (I've never asked exactly how much he's worth but it must be at least a few million). Is he happy? Not really.

But isn’t this the lifestyle of the vast majority of people around the world and across history?

Are/were they all unhappy or did they find a way to find joy and fulfilment despite being poor?

It’s basically because lack of money means worry and stress. And the presence of money means choice, freedom and fun.

People will try to tell you different, and wax on about the third world being full of smiling children and what fun they had at university living on beans. But grinding, everyday, long term poverty is miserable.

And I meant to cover this. Poverty doesn’t cause division and social issues. RELATIVE poverty does. If everyone rides a bike, everyone is OK. If everyone rides a bike and two people have a BMW, people are unhappy. Especially when SM and peers say BMWs should be achievable for everyone.

I don't think it's right that no amount of money is enough. I am very fortunate to earn enough to have what I want (some luxuries and a decent place to live, not flying anything above economy money) and have enough savings to feel secure. Plenty of people earn and have more than me, but I don't feel like more money would make me any happier at all.

Agree, the more you have the more you think you need and often the more you have the more expenses you have so you need more more to pay for those expenses

I honestly think minimum wagers could most of the time ( not all) find a way out through up skilling, there are thousands of courses out there and some are even free, some initiative and drive is always needed though…..you need to want to do it and not just dream of doing it

I work in local authority and see so many people in the community, not working/never worked, no ambition to do anything or go anywhere. Everyday is similar, wake up, eat, sit around, bed. I do often think no wonder some are horrendously depressed when that is their life. I don’t think people realise there’s a whole world out there.

It’s also all relative, I’m sure Elon Musk would think I’m a pauper and wonder why I get out of bed to get paid the wage that I do but compared to a minimum wager I would probably be considered fairly wealthy.

You are the only person who can change your circumstances

I think it’s having enough to have control over your life and to have choices and not worrying about paying a bill . Money isn’t about stuff . Stuff won’t make you happy. It’s having enough to be secure and free .

. Edited because I misread!

I think poorer people were more interdependent historically and currently in developing countries. Communities were tighter and I think there is huge consolation in that solidarity and cohesion.

Here in the West, if you're poor, you are often very very alone too.

I hear what you are saying but do you have any more specific suggestions, qualifications, routes you would recommend

It’s all relative though. You are as rich as Croesus compared with so many people, and much richer people resent that they have to make the financial choices that they have to make.