Does Money Really Make You Happy?

Many people feel that if they just had more money, they could be happier. Often, however, this is not really the case. Once you have achieved your financial goals, having more money will not necessarily make you a happier person. The best way to make yourself truly happy is to develop relationships with others as well as determining how much you need to earn.

Work Out How Much Money It Takes You to Live Comfortably

Living comfortably doesn’t necessarily mean having the latest car, the biggest house, or other expensive things. It doesn’t mean having all the money you could ever want and more. Living comfortably means having enough food to eat, a comfortable home, clothes to wear and perhaps one or two luxuries. What living comfortably means may be different for each person but about $40,000 per annum is usually sufficient for most people.

Who is Important in Your Life?

Are you married? Do you have children or grandchildren? Studies show that family is often the greatest contributing factor to a person’s happiness. Are you investing enough time in your family for your own happiness? Some of the happiest moments of your life can be expressing your love to your spouse or sitting playing with your grandchildren. But what if you are not married, don’t have children or grandchildren, perhaps you do not even have a partner? Each one of us also has friends and if you do not have family, determine whom you consider to be your closest friends and how much time you are investing in these relationships.

Have You Got the Right Balance?

Some people tend to work so hard that they neglect their families and destroy this very important area of their lives. If you are working sixteen hours a day and never spending time with your family, chances are you will soon not have any relationships to keep you happy. Money, on the other hand, cannot be neglected all together. Learn how to earn the money you need while still maintaining healthy relationships.

Money may make you happier if you are in real poverty or earning below $40,000 per annum. Studies have shown that for those earning in excess of $40,000 per annum, it is relationships and family that make most people truly happy. Learn to get the balance right, earn what you need to live comfortably but do not neglect your family or other special relationships.

Stacy Francis
www.savvyladies.org