We Need to Stop the Idea That “Money Can’t Buy Happiness” — Money Buys Happiness and Here’s Why and How
The problem is in what society defines as “normal” for you
There is a very common saying that goes, “Money doesn’t buy happiness.”
Is it really?
After much reflection, I have come to the conclusion that money does buy happiness.
Not the money itself, but the good use of it. You will understand my point of view from now on.
Money (Used In The Wrong Way) Does Not Buy Happiness
There is no doubt that there are many millionaires or very well-paid people who are unhappy.
But does this have to do with the fact that they have a lot of money?
Definitely not.
This unhappiness has to do with freedom (actually, the lack of it).
Money dominates these people, not the other way around.
A well-paid, workaholic person who has no time to take care of his health or is never at home to strengthen the relationship with his spouse and kids is probably less happy than a poor fisherman who spends half the day fishing and the other half with his family.
The issue of unhappiness, therefore, is not money, but the lack of freedom, health, and good relationships, which are the three elements of true wealth.
Freedom is a component of both wealth and happiness.
Those who live free will be happier.
Those who have strong ties with their friends and family will be happier.
Those who have good health will be happier.
When Robert Kiyosaki mentions the famous “rat race” in the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, he tries to show exactly this, only in other words.
The Problem Is In The “Normal”
The problem is in what society defines as “normal” for you.
Normal is to wake up every day at six in the morning, face long traffic jams and work eight hours a day, from Monday to Friday (or even every day, in some cases).
Normal is to buy everything on credit, from a simple shirt to the house you live in.
It is normal to believe that some magic formula, at some point in your life, will make you rich.
It is normal to believe that a more powerful car or a bigger house will make you happy.
You are conditioned to accept “normal” based on society’s definition of wealth, which, in turn, is totally wrong.
Wealth is not defined by what you own.
But this is society’s definition of wealth, to encourage consumerism as the only way to achieve happiness.
Money (Used The Right Way) Buys Happiness
Money does not buy happiness when it is used in the wrong way.
Instead of using it to buy freedom, people use it to keep themselves trapped (financing, high maintenance cost goods, credit cards…).
The more financial commitments you make, the more tied you are to a source of income to honor them.
“Wealth” and “happiness” are intertwined, but only if your definition of wealth is not corrupted by the psychology of consumption.
Used in the right way, money buys freedom, and freedom is an element of the three pillars of wealth.
And if you have freedom, you are much more apt to strengthen the other elements of wealth: health and relationships.
According to MJ DeMarco author of the book The Millionaire Fastlane defines money as follows:
Money buys the freedom to closely watch your children grow up.
Money buys you the freedom to pursue your craziest dreams.
Money buys the freedom to build and strengthen relationships.
Money buys the freedom to exercise (or do whatever you want) when you want, as often as you want.
Now think with me:
Could some of these examples make you happier?
I bet they could.
One thing is certain: they certainly would not bring unhappiness.
If money can buy freedom, and with this freedom, we can dedicate ourselves to what really matters, then money can buy happiness (when well used).
Consumerism Is The Biggest Obstacle To Happiness
Consumerism condemns us to a “prison” lifestyle.
And the more you buy things that don’t fit in your pocket, the longer your “sentence” will be.
Consumerism is all about instant gratification and instant pleasure.
And this is true for your financial health as well as your physical health.
How would you like to eat chocolate (or any dessert with lots of sugar) anytime? Or eating that super combo from your favorite snack bar with a sandwich, French fries, and soda?
Unfortunately, this immediate (short-term) pleasure is usually a very bad deal for your health in the long -term.
As a result, this relentless pursuit of instant gratification has a common destination: debt and obesity.
Final Thoughts
Wealth, like health, is not easy to come by, and both paths have very similar processes.
Both wealth and health require discipline, sacrifice, persistence, commitment, and, of course, delayed gratification.
If you don’t have self-control over the temptations of instant gratification, you will hardly succeed in getting rich or losing weight.
Both require a lifestyle change from thinking in the short term (instant gratification) to focusing on the long term (delayed gratification).
Put this into practice and see results faster than you can imagine.