No matter how much we try to deny it, money clearly is a hugely important aspect of your world. It is needed for our countries to run and for us to live. Most of us dream of having lots of money, believing it will take all of your problems away. Yet there is a highly common phrase that ‘money does not make you happy.’ Here’s my take.
Why can money make us unhappy?
The main conception of money making us unhappy is hugely down to human greed. Once we have something we once desired, we get a quick high. Once the novelty wears off, we need to look for the next new thing to give us the dopamine fix that so many of us call happiness.
This is the trouble with putting too much value in external and materialistic things. Especially if you have money. You will spend money to have nice things and then be constantly on the lookout for the next thing; never becoming fulfilled and never reaching true sustained happiness.
Worse still, if you have this mentality without a lot of money, you will soon have a habit which cannot be sustained. It will end up making you miserable (and broke).
True happiness…
With or without wealth, it is important to remember that true happiness is found within yourself and not in external things. Many people believe the new car or fancy watch will give them happiness. In reality though, it only fulfils them for a few short moments. True happiness is found in the passions we follow in our hobbies, our quests for self improvement and in the love we have for those around us. This is stuff money cannot buy. Sometimes having a lot of money can even take your focus away from these simple luxuries of life.
That being said, with the right mindset, money can buy us things to make life easier. We can more easily purchase the tools we need to progress our goals and relationships. Money also takes away a lot of financial stress that many people have, such as taxes, travel and supporting a family. With the right mindset and smart money mentality, our lives can definitely become happier with money.
So can money make you happy?
Money doesn’t make you happy but it does help you be happy. Putting your value in external things (fancy stuff, cars) will always leave you wanting more and will never be fulfilled. If you care more about the internal gains in life such as your health, hobbies and the people you love, then having money will exacerbate this and happiness will find you in abundance.
If you follow my £1 a day challenge, you will notice my dream is to build up enough passive income to escape the rat race and become financially free. I believe happiness will follow me because i’m happy already. I am passionate about what I do and value helping others around me as much as I can. The money I strive for is going towards building a dream life of being able to work where I want When I want and helping others along the way. You can follow my journey on the blog section of the Money Your Concern website.
I’m not into luxury goods but don’t get me wrong, if that is something you desire, I think that’s great. However, it is important that you don’t let this be part of your identity; always remember what really is important to you in life.
Well that’s my take at least…
If you agree or if you have any further points, let us know in the comments section below.
To check out more of my financial philosophy and tips on making and saving more money online, check out the Smart With Money section of this website.
Thanks For reading and best of luck with your financial future.
Harry
