Does money make you happy???

[Deleted]

Here my good friend Arnie from the Philippines. He lives in a shack with his wife and five children, they are the happiest people I know.

As far as I'm concerned "Money is like sex, not important as long and you get enough"

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[Ann1]

He's probably as happy as Larry as he knows no different! If you brought him here, gave him "our" lifestyle for a couple of years, then sent him back to his shack, he'd probably be as miserable as hell! I don't think money makes you happier, I think it's more to do with "mindset" than actual cash. Some folk are happy with not much and others are still not happy even if they have all the trappings of wealth, i.e 5 top of the range cars, 20 holidays a year, Sky, huge all mod cons house etc. Mind, I sometimes think those with money are so busy worrying about how to keep or make more of it, they don't have time to enjoy life!!

[Jazz]

Well, I recently heard somewhere that the "middle income" bracket (open to interpretation, of course!) are the happiest. Get beyond that to the rich or super rich and they can become unhappy. The poor are often miserable but not always! (Like what I am!.....ha, ha, ha,) ;D

[Deleted]

Some interesting research I've done.
According to the World Health Organisation the suicide rates for the Philippines is 4.2% - The suicide rates in the UK is 13.9%.

So it would appear they are indeed happy. No washing machine, no hot water, no money and candle power makes you happy.

Walking around I've never seen people who smile, and are so friendly. As far as I can see, they've nothing to smile about.

[Ann1]

That's the thing though Milky, you said as far as you can see, they have nothing to smile about.! But you're basing it on our life style here. If they have known no different, then they don't know what they are "missing". To us though, used to everything, it would be a real hardship, living in a shack with no "mod cons". TBH though, I think a lot of it is to do with the weather!! ;D

Jazz's brother always remarks on how happy the Australians seem when he goes over there. I say to him, I'd be bloody happy too if we got all that nice weather!! Even if you're unemployed at least you can go surfing, walking or just lie on the beach!! Just looking out the window now, and it's all grey and dull, enough to make anyone soddin' miserable! People do seem happier in the summer though, so weather must play some part in it. I know Jazz won't agree with me as he likes the Winter

[Deleted]

I agree with what say, but can't agree with the weather.

OK It's over 100c day and night, but it's the 95-97% humidity which is the killer.

Can't sleep, no energy and what annoyed Alice the most, can't straighten your hair (no problem for me)

Not forgetting the mosquitos, there was a queue to bit me.

[Ann1]

Aye the mossies seem to line up to bite Jazz too ;D They leave me alone, mind that has probably got something to do with the cloud of smoke surrounding me It works for midges as well ;D Yes humidity can be a problem, but I suppose if you live in it all the time, you get used to it. Jazz's sister can take a lot more heat than I can, although she is quite a bit older. I find the older I get the less I'm able to cope with high heat. I found Istanbul at 35/38 degrees quite enough and this was in Sept! It can get unbearable in summer, and it's a city!! But I loved sitting out at night till all hours, it's just like our best day in the height of Summer! Even in Summer it gets dammed cold at night here. Mind, if it wasn't for the weather we'd have nowt to moan about!! ;D

[Deleted]

Well you know the old adage "Money can't make you happy, but it does make misery more comfortable"

[Banshee]

Are we entitled to be happy, or just content? Contentment is based on our ideas and expectations based on those around us, and how they seem, isnt it. Am I content and sorted compared to others/ yes I would think so. Am I "happy", not sure about that. Is being happy leading you open to a great big come down when you realise all is not as sorted as you thought it was. I see too much unhappiness everyday in my work to ever be smug enough to beleive I have reached happiness. Is there such a thing?

[Jazz]

A very philosophical approach to the question, Bansh....I think you've hit the nail on the head! I think, in general to be content is the most you can achieve with bits of happiness thrown in now and then as well as "lows" of unhappiness........a bit like a graph! As long as the peaks and troughs balance out and generally you bump along in the middle that, hopefully, is most people's lives, I guess!

[Shadow]

Totally agree.

I had a friend many years ago that was telling me about her dad and how neutral he always was-never lost his temper but never was ecstatic about anything either.She was quite moody herself and one day told him how envious she was of his even temperdness.His response was to express envy of her-he hated how he couldnt feel the highs and lows.

I dont believe money is the answer altho of course being financially secure can ease pressures-but money cant say a loved one will or will not survive say a catastrophic event for instance-I am happy to have both my son and my mother still with me-money had nothing to do with that.I am happy that my daughter has found a loving relationship that makes her happy too-no money involved.Im happy when I see my kids laugh because I love them.

Yes I worry about money but there are memories I have that money could never buy.Im not always happy but sometimes I am-and the lows make the highs that much higher.

[Jazz]

A basic way of looking at this is, as a friend of mine says, a bit crudely........."If you can eat, drink, sleep, sh*t and pi*s!" you aren't doing too badly! ;D

[Fairscup]

I remember not having money and I'm a darned lot happier now that i have a little

[skintagain]

does money make me happy, well im sad when ive got none .

[fassbinder]

Well, ever since i fell on hard times ,i've never been happier. I love catching bargains,making the bit i have spin out. I remember what it was like when i spent money like water. believe me, i wasn't happy.
same as my fashion sense, it's gone out the window. i wear ill fitting clothes,loud clothes big vests and i don't change them for three or four days to please no bugger...why the hell should i have the washer on everyday just for the odd stain.
as long as i've got me tin of mackerel and a drop of olive oil on a morning, a slice of toast and a banana for dinner and a cocoa at night topped off with a big cosy bed ,that'l do me!