Money Can't Buy Happiness, But

Author : Phil Covington
The phrase, "money can't buy happiness," used to merely be accepted as an old
adage or proverb. However, substantial research has now been done over the years
to shed a little more light on this long standing saying.Studies now clearly show that there is little difference between the level of perceived
happiness between richer and poorer groups of people. In fact, around the World,
poorer people in poorer countries often have seem to have the edge in reporting a
greater sense of happiness. Naturally I'm not referring here to people who are in a
state of starvation or other dire circumstances, but rather people who simply live a
less hectic and materialistic lifestyle than most of us in more industrialized settings.Numerous theories abound, but generally it's thought that poorer people report
greater happiness because they have less to worry about and so it takes less to
make them happy. With fewer possessions and fewer options for entertainment
family activities and other relationships occupy a greater percentage of time than
might typically be observed among people who are better off. Some studies surmise
that because marriage and family relationships bring some of the greatest feelings
of happiness that poorer people are happier because they spend more time engaged
in family activities and build stronger family bonds. Of course, people don't have to
live in a poor country. The same findings have been reported among poorer people
in industrialized countries like the United States.I won't cite actual references and statistics because the studies are so numerous
that you can easily find all of the studies you want simply by entering the phrase,
"money can't buy happiness," into your favorite search engine.That's not to say, though, that if you want to be happy you should try to remain
poor, or seek to be poor if you don't happen to be. Speaking of which, while most of
us have a concept of what poor is, have you ever stopped to think that most people
don't really know what a true definition of, "rich," is?Some people erroneously conclude that people with big homes and nice cars are,
"rich," though, in most cases, such items are more likely to be greater indicators of
debt than wealth. A big home with a big mortgage or a nice car with large monthly
payments represents debt, not wealth.Likewise, many people feel that anyone who makes a certain amount of money is,
"rich," especially if they happen to make more than the "magic" threshold amount of
$100,000 a year. Wrong! Just ask anyone who makes $100,000 a year and they will
quickly confirm that most people who earn that much are not rich.In fact, because most people who earn more tend to spend more, yearly earnings
amounts can range quite high without a person being truly, "rich."So, what's a good definition of what it means to be rich? My personal favorite is the
one that Bill Cosby gave when asked by his children on his popular TV show, "The
Cosby Show," which aired from 1984 to 1992. While discussing with them the topic
of what it means to be rich he said the difference is that, "people who are not rich
work for their money, whereas rich people's money works for them." Not only is that
about as good a definition as you'll find, but it happens to be one that's universally
accepted as true.Another well accepted definition of what it means to be rich is that rich people work
because they want to and not because they have to, whereas people who are not
rich work because they have to.Still think that money can't buy happiness? If it's true that the happiest people of all
have been found to be those who spend the most time with their family, then is it
possible that if you are in the financial position to be able to work less that you
could spend more time with your family, thus making you, and your family, happier?Here is something else to think about: Did you know that the majority of wealthy
people are business owners? Over 70 percent of all millionaires own their own
business.What's more, are you aware that even if you aren't rich you can enjoy many of the
same benefits simply by owning a successful home based business?It's already been established that spending time with our spouse or family is what
makes most people happiest. So, if your current job or occupation is preventing you
from spending time with your family, or doing the other things in life that you
enjoy, due to mandatory long hours at work, mandatory travel, etc., owning a home
business can provide you with extra income, which can in turn reduce the need for
you to work as many hours away from home (or, again, whatever in life it is that you
enjoy).Also near the top of the list of things that equate to personal happiness is good
health. In fact, when people are asked if they would rather have money or good
health, most people answer that they would rather have good health. After all, what
good is money if you don't have the good health to enjoy it?Did you know that, for most people, income and money equate directly to good
health? Poor people, for instance, typically cannot afford to feed their families
properly to maintain optimal natural health, or afford quality medical insurance to
maintain optimal medical health -- whether preventative care such as routine
checkups and dental visits, or care when something goes wrong or treatment is
needed.Just one of the things that money buys is choice. People without money are forced
to buy what they can afford, whereas people with money have the luxury and
advantage of choice. People with money can not only afford to buy the best medical
insurance, but they typically have more options and more choice when it comes to
medical care. People without money may have very restrictive health care options, or
may not even have insurance at all.And, of course, good health also starts with what we eat. Have you ever stopped to
realize that junk food is by far cheaper and more affordable than the quality food
items that have been proven to be best for our health?Fresh fruits and vegetables, for instance, are far more expensive than things like
potato chips, snack foods, junk food, and less healthy food items. Quality meats
(with less fat) are more expensive than cheaper cuts of meat. Organically grown
produce is more expensive than regular produce. and It's been well proven that,
typically, the higher the education and income level that people have, the healthier
they eat, the better insurance they have, and the healthier they actually are. And,
healthier people are happier people. Still think that money can't buy happiness?Yet another item that ranks high on the list of what people equate to happiness is
safety. The opposite of safety is fear, and fear is closely related to stress, which
we'll talk about in a minute. Are you driving a lesser car than you would like to that
doesn't make you feel quite as safe as you would like to feel? Better built and
maintained homes can be safer and more comfortable than homes that are less so.
If someone can't afford to be in the kind of home and neighborhood they would like
to be in, they are likely to be less happy than if they were.We've talked about some of the things that researchers have universally found to be
responsible for greater happiness, but how about one of the greatest causes of
unhappiness: stress?Not only does stress make people unhappy, but it's also been determined to be
unhealthy. Stress can lead to health problems.On the one hand the more money people have the more they have to worry about.
And, of course, some people are never satisfied. The more money they make, the
more things they have to buy, and the more responsibilities and headaches they
seemingly create for themselves. But that certainly doesn't describe what everyone
does with money.Not including people who are never satisfied and can never have enough, more
money can equate directly to less financial stress. Less stress equates to a happier
person.Someone who doesn't have enough money to pay his or her bills, or who is
constantly living paycheck to paycheck is likely to be more stressed than someone
who has extra money in the bank.And, of course, money can buy luxury, relaxation, and pampering, all of which
equate to less stress (more happiness), and even better physical well being.Celebrities and the well to do are often admired for looking good for their age,
younger than their age, etc. Plastic surgery not withstanding, it's largely due to all
of the perks mentioned above. Celebrities typically lead pampered lives and often
have the best of everything. Better food, less stress, more relaxation and
pampering, fewer wrinkles :)More often the people likely to be found saying that, "money can't buy happiness,"
the most are people who either don't have it, or never have. After all, how would
they know? Wealthy people also sometimes say that, "money can't buy happiness,"
but they are also just as likely to follow that statement by telling you that they
would also, "rather be with it than without it."How about you, do you still think that money can't buy happiness? If so, maybe you
better think again…If you like this article you are free to publish it on your site as long as all resources
stay the same, and must point back to the original source.GRPMAX, L.L.C. was founded by CEO Phil Covington in 1979 and is the parent
company of http://www.abcincome.comGRPMAX specializes in developing Uniquely
Innovative Technologies & Solutions™ and has worked with clients ranging from
small business, to government, to the Fortune 500. Specifically, GRPMAX creates
solutions that automate processes that previously required human staffing and
interaction. Mr. Covington's interest in the home business field started in the 1980s
and developed out of relationships with some of the industry's most talented and
highest earning individuals, during which time he has actively pursued the creation
of the ultimate home business passive income solution.
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