Money Cannot Buy Happiness

The idea of money buying happiness is interesting. Yes, most people feel they do need more money to be happy, but what is that "happiness" they are speaking of? If that idea means owning newer appliances than before, then money can buy you happiness. If that idea is going out to eat dinner more often, then money can buy you happiness. But, if happiness is truly living one's life to the fullest, then money cannot buy happiness. People know that this idea of happiness is materialistic and shallow, and they are quick to point it out in others, but cannot see it in themselves. Money cannot buy happiness, unless happiness is measured by possessions.

Happiness from money is very short lived. While the happiness of people who receive large sums of money might rise immediately after they receive that money, that happiness declines to only slightly above or equal to their level of happiness before the money came to them.

Today, with money, people have a greater purchasing power than ever before. A large expendable income leads to the purchasing of unnecessary, but by today's standards, important, goods. Although we are a richer nation, since 1957, the number of people who say they are "very happy" has declined from 35 to 32 percent, the divorce rate has doubled, teen suicide has tripled, the violent crime rate has quadrupled, and more people than ever are depressed (Myers).

Our society's perception of success also contributes to unhappiness amongst us. A new set of values has been adopted by many of us putting a high salary job with lots of prestige above a successful marriage or close friends. It is this twist in values that have helped to make people unhappy. We need to put the things that matter most to our happiness in front of the things that matter to others' perceptions of them. It is an interesting paradox that although 89% of people say "our society is much too materialistic," 84% wish they had more money, and 78% say it is "very or fairly important" to have "a beautiful home, a new car and other nice things." This proves that although people know they are too materialistic, they continue to strive for material possessions.

One problem that leads our society to not be happy although we have such a high standard of living is our ability to adapt. No matter how wealthy a person