Why do people say "money doesn't bring happiness"?

Question

I know for a fact that my mood is noticeably different when I get paid than it is about 3 weeks later when its nearly all gone. I have also noticed that generally that comment is made by people who don't have to worry about money from one payday to the next.

Answer 1

only rich people say this!

Answer 2

So there are two important parts to this question.
1. Are the people who say money doesn't bring happiness hypocrites because they are affluent?

Well there are two levels of experience that count.
The rich. You need to know the limits of money to see if it brings happiness. So to talk from experience does not automatically make you a hypocrite.
The poor. The lowly Budhist monk would agree for example. Would they be a hypocrite to speak from the other end of the scale?
I agree if you ask my mate Bill, who works his **** off at a building site all day to pay off his mortgage, and put food on the table. He would say yes, money would make me happy.

2. Can money bring happiness? Is Bill right? Or is it the lowly monk, or the pensive aristocrat?
Happiness has such a wide spectrum of causes, but I believe it gets confused with joy. Joy is more short term. Happiness is a general underlying feeling. Money can bring joy, a new car, a bigger house, a holiday in the Maldives. You won't find happiness in those things though.
I believe that happiness is the opposite to loneliness.
Love and laughter are the sources of happiness. How much do they cost?

Answer 3

Its true, generally the people who make that comment are the ones who are 'financially comfortable' but if they didnt have the funds to go on holiday twice a year and buy their child the latest PSP game then they wouldnt be spouting that crap.
If I was to win the lottery and pay off everything and have no bills and debts hanging over my head, I KNOW I would be happy!!!

I suppose if they are swimming in money and all their bills are paid then they must be unhappy for some other reason.

Answer 4

There are many "things" that can "make" you happy. Material items are NOT on that list. You can have every man made item on earth and still not be happy. Happiness is a feeling that comes from within. You must be content with yourself and who you are. I guarantee you people who are wealthy and miserable are not happy. Just because you have $$ does not mean you are happy. Sure you may not have any financial problems, but you could have a sense of loneliness. Sometimes people only enjoy you while you have money. Once the money is gone, or you don't "share", so to speak, where are all your friends now, hence the happiness. I guess you understand what I am trying to say. Only Jesus Christ can make you happy.

Answer 5

The statement is "money doesn't buy happiness" and it doesn't no matter how much you make. For those who believe that winning the lottery is going to suddenly make them happier than before get a sure jolt after the fact. What they have is more money with more woes in most instances. The euphoria of having the money wears out when you realize that buying stuff ceases to bring the same thrill. You say your mood changes when you get paid, but if you are living from paycheck to paycheck, most of that money must go for bills with little for disposable income. I'm sure you find ways to make the most of that disposable and are happy with your choices.

Answer 6

Dear Sue,
I think it is one of those things people say. Like, money is the root of all evil.
Here's my take on it. Money , we have to make it and have it to survive and buy what we need, or we would be one of the growing homeless. But one can live well on what they make if they are not extravagant and stick to the basics. But being humans we always want more and more. When we start putting the focus on money and possessions, we tend to stop thinking about the really important things in life. Family, love, community service, honor and humanity.
In our quest for the good life, all the good things get put on the back burner in our quest. We fail to put everything in balance. So in essence money cannot buy back what we have lost in this endless quest. We need to learn to be happy with less and pay attention to the truly wonderful things we have. Money is a means not the way.

Answer 7

You need money to be happy...but do you think that is the most important thing??
What about health, family, friends, other people's respect and love?

I'll give you an example...when I came for the first time here I had more money.....but I was unhappy.
I was alone, no family or friends, speaking every second a different language and very sad often....
Money didn't bring my happiness...

Answer 8

You also can't buy back the time you lost with money.
Money also can't buy back any of your family member incase if they are gone.
In fact money is the root of all evil. People tend to misused the money to harm themselves like trying drugs, trying extreme activities, attract blood sucking partners or friends. All these things only lead to unhappiness especially after all the money is gone. Then people start to rob and murder to just trying to get back to that comfortable level in life.

Human beings are like that. Once tasted something good and they'll never go back to that bitter or sour taste.

Answer 9

Money in itself doesnt bring happiness- the things you can get from it(a plane ticket to see your family), the relief it brings you(not having to worry about going starving), and the feeling of having worth- that is what is happy-making when it comes to money. Money does bring happiness, but people just say that because it is the pure, wholesome thing to say. People also say that because having too much money can corrupt some people- they get so ambitious about their money that they lose all their family and friends. I guess the saying should be changed to "Too much money doesnt bring happiness."

Answer 10

You can have all the money in the world but it can not buy you your health. Yes it can help to make you more comfortable in ill health but it can`t make you better. They say it is the route of all evil. Causes marital strife and perhaps loss of friends if you borrow and don`t pay back.

Answer 11

Money not only brings happiness it is a necessity for living. We have to pay for everything: shelter, clothes, food, electric, our cars, gas to put in our car. If we don't have money we have to live in a cardboard box, wearing rags, and eating out of the garbage can! Yah, I can see how that would effect us happiness wise! Money does bring happiness and is essential to survive!