Can money buy happiness?

Today, I was driving down the road and found myself deep in thought: does money buy happiness?

Usually, most people say that money cannot buy happiness under the argument that people and life experiences are what evoke the onset happiness. I can understand this perspective, but, personally, I am going to have to disagree.

Money CAN buy happiness and I can tell you how.

Let’s pretend that this person moves out on their own for the first time. They are paying all of their bills alone – no roommate and no financial aid. They make just enough money to pay bills and eat at least one cheap meal per day. They don’t have the money for their favorite hobbies, they can’t go out with friends because they can’t afford to pay their way through, they can’t go on vacations, etc. This person really is just surviving. If this same person was able to have enough money just to afford to live a little (eat better food, have fun craft nights with friends, go to the beach for a random weekend), their life would be exponentially better. Money can help to mind the gap between feeling stuck and feeling motivated – IF and only if money is the only thing that is a deficit. Other things can factor in but that is not what we’re here to talk about – this is another topic for another day.

I have recently gotten into listening to a podcast hosted by Leo Skepi called “Aware and Aggravated” and I absolutely love it. He analyzes his thoughts and motives and reports what he learns about himself from a psychological pov so that others that are going through the same thing or similar can reflect and learn from him. Anyway, on an episode that I heard the other day, he was talking about how money is not a necessity but rather a tool – we do not need money to live. He said that it makes everything a whole lot easier but it is not like water and oxygen where it is vital to our existence. My point being, after I heard him saying these things, it really got me thinking. In today’s society, money actually is a necessity. In order to live and function in the modern world, you have to have money or you are viewed as less than. When you pass a homeless person as you’re walking through downtown, they are often asking for money and food (that money buys) because they need it to survive and they know that. No, it cannot give you eternal life, but it can help you to obtain the resources that we do need to survive – and it can enhance your experience if you have enough of it, hence money buying happiness. Even if you have a financial safety net and don’t spend it on anything, you are able to meander through life knowing that if anything were to happen to you or someone that you love, you have the cash to fall back on when you need it. Again, it is not required to live but it is a whole lot more convenient when it’s there.

When I make these arguments, I am not trying to suggest that everyone needs to be rich to be happy or you’ll be depressed forever. I am just stating that a little cushion is appreciated. Nothing outrageous; I do believe that too much money can cause discomfort like how people may try to use you for what you’ve got rather than investing their time to get to know you for who you are. Money can make desperate people view you as an object or stepping stool to get them what they want. In this scenario, money is the problem. There is not a black and white answer for every question that I ponder, but I LIVE for the gray area. That place that makes you second guess your whole existence; that’s where my brain feels utmost comfort.

FUN FACT: When I was in tenth grade, my English teacher called me Ms. Gray Wolf (being that gray is a mix of black and white) because I could never come up with a clear thesis when I was writing argumentative essays – I always considered all povs and brought them up in my assignments. While it is a good trait to have in life, it is not good when you’re trying to play lawyer and prove your point to the opposing team.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, PLEASE tell me. I love a good thought provoking conversation. If you disagree, I promise you will not hurt my feelings; I don’t get offended easily ◡̈

Thank you for coming to my TEDTalk!