Question of the Day | 08/27/2009 12:00 am

Does money buy happiness? How much does it cost?

Liz Smith, Mary Wells, Joan Ganz Cooney and Marlo Thomas calculate the price of happiness.

Joan Ganz Cooney | 08/27/2009 12:00 am

Joan Ganz Cooney: Money Can't Buy Happiness

Money cannot buy happiness but it can solve every problem money can solve, which, let us face it, makes it very comforting. How much it costs varies with people, where they live and how they live. But it must be enough to pay for one’s housing, other essentials and some luxuries and to cover any medical and long-term health costs. And it’s great if you have enough to help grown children when they need it.

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Marlo Thomas | 08/27/2009 12:00 am

Marlo Thomas Spends Like Herb Gardner

I always loved Herb Gardner’s cartoon about that — "Money cannot buy happiness, but it can buy a setting in which happiness is more likely to occur."

6 Comments

Mary Wells | 08/27/2009 12:00 am

Mary Wells: Money Can Buy a Certain Kind of Happiness

It can buy peace of mind. That is one kind of happiness.

1 Comment

Liz Smith | 08/27/2009 12:00 am

Liz Smith: Nothing 'Buys' Happiness Except Belief in Yourself

Money buys peace of mind and so I think it’s hard to be "happy" without it because one is worrying all the time about what things cost, can they afford it and how will they pay their bills on time. But nothing "buys" happiness except belief in yourself and others and true accomplishment.

Plus a lot of luck.

9 Comments

Read more about: Culture, Happiness, Lifestyle, Money, Relationships

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I disagree, on money buying peace of mind. It might eliminate some obstacles of having peace. My sister was married to a millionaire until he died over a year ago, and I rarely seen her smile. My brother has accumulated his wealth in life, but was always focused more on it still being there, then having fun. I also come from the same lineage that gave birth to Ken Lay,(Dad’s cousin) and we all know that didn’t tighten any of his screws or give him peace. I’ve known some pretty miserable financially comfortable people, and without something inside already at peace, money can’t buy what really doesn’t have a price tag.

By LindaMyers on 08/27/2009 1:23 am

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Happiness is an indefinable thing that comes from the heart. We recognize it as it arrives in moments ONLY - the heart races, we feel on top of the world. It is that instant of pure joy, of exhilaration. What we may feel if life is going generally well is something called contentment. We are pleased with life in general and we say "life is good". Smiles can accompany contentment. In fact, they often do for it is a state of mind, a wonderful state of mind. We who have that state are truly fortunate!!! Contentment is a wonderful word. Happiness is the instantaneous jump for joy!

I would equate money with security. Without enough money for our needs, we have worries and despair invades our being. What we want to be is "OK". . that sigh of relief that comes when we KNOW we have more than enough money to pay our bills and provide us with health care - a phrase we didn’t even bandy around years ago but whose cost now is astronomical. Do we see people "content" with little or no money? Once in a while we do, but frankly, these days they must have a screw loose to be carefree in our world today!!!!!!

By joan larsen on 08/27/2009 1:34 am

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Very well put Joan. I now know that I’m not happy, I’m content. Thanks for pointing that out. Money is not something I’ve ever had a lot of, but I guess I’ve always had what I need, and maybe a little more sometimes.

When things get tough and I start thinking "Why Me?" I turn on the TV and start channel searching, I know I’m going to find a story on maybe Dr. Phil or Oprah, or another channel where there is someone that has it a lot worse off than me, and I begin to realize that I don’t have it all that bad. Now I know it may be wrong to gain on others sorrows, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. :)

By EldebboC on 08/27/2009 3:28 pm

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Eldebbo . . this how I feel - and I have lots of feelings on this subject. . OK, our circumstances, our own life stories vary as we are all individuals, but those deep feelings - well, they are pretty much the same. We don’t bring them out and examine them that often but we often feel we have very ordinary lives - possibly less. Often, what can change our feelings in a moment is someone we believe in actually saying how much they care for us, how good we look, how proud they are of us. What I found is that compliments no matter how well deserved do not come easy. So many reasons … but there is nothing more wonderful than hearing nice things about ourselves. Our hearts soar, and in a few words, our days are made. That is that excitement within and often — that spurt of happiness that I mentioned. IF we had happiness or the chance of it all the time, there would be no appreciation. Only expectation. It is that shot in the arm we all need and don’t get often enough.

And yes, suddenly we can come to our senses on contentment also when we hear stories in person or from the TV of how hellish life can really be. Ours is not all that bad. How do we start to turn just so-so around? I think that complimenting others when they deserve for no reason except you want to makes them smile. And then you smile — and unbelievably, you feel better with that smile. It is catching. There are so many other simple ways — and in interacting with others, we don’t know if there will be a moment that will turn our own life around — or set us off on another road with a rainbow at its end.

I believe in what I say. I know it works - and people want to be around people who are upbeat AND smiling. Now is not too soon to start. And when we are lucky enough to have that surprise happiness drop in — it is heaven. . it is so good.

By joan larsen on 08/27/2009 3:55 pm

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Joan, what you said here to Eldebbo made a difference to me today. It hasn’t been a good day for me, and yes, money is at the bottom of it all. It’s been a while since I’ve felt the comfort of a really from-the-heart smile because of a situation where - yes - money would make things both comfortable and secure for me, and relieve me of an enormous emotional pressure. But you are right. I have to find ways of finding that "spurt of happiness", and maybe the best way is to forget about the endless personal worry and compliment and smile at someone else. Thanks. You are a very special person.

By SusanCrawford on 08/27/2009 8:34 pm

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Joan—we don’t know each other but you have a very nice smile in your photo, and i hope that gives a lift to your day.

I agree with everyone who says that money buys freedom from worry about basics, and is also a great cushion in all kinds of situations. Also, if you are miserable for some reason, it is much less stressful to be miserable with money. It also buys a certain kind of freedom, and a wider range of choices. Happiness? Not unless your happiness rests entirely on the material. So, I would never knock money but I will say this: in many instances in my life, I have come to the conclusion that brains are better than money. I am a fairly self-reliant person; few things recently have given me more joy than being able to solve mundane problems with my noodle and either a) save money or b)know that I had figured something out. If I had had much more discretionary money, I would have hired someone to do many of these things for me and missed out on worlds of knowledge and accomplishment. Among the things I cite are a) driving a U- Haul truck, b) snaking a drain, c) incorporating a business, d)taking apart the freezer part of my refrigerator and putting it back together again. More recently, I have found some fabulous natural remedies on the Internet which I never would have tried in my days when it was simple just to go to a store and buy something or call the doctor. The happiness—and amazement—of seeing my cacti grow baby cacti—especially the kinds I am not familiar with—is real and unbeatable. The miracle of life. Happiness is an awareness and in its essential form is independent of money.

By FFox on 08/30/2009 10:53 am

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Hi F Fox …

There is something about what you wrote, how you wrote it, that tells me much about you. You "think" and think deeply about what truly are the most important parts of life … and unlike many others, you don’t just talk but you take action. You realize that - if we have ability - we learn most by doing, by trying. And most of all, I believe we learn most by our own mistakes. How else do we grow? Grow and understand. What you have said to me is that you feel good about yourself, inside and out. And isn’t this what it is all about? Isn’t that what we should be striving for?

And isn’t it the small things - our interactions with people on a personal basis, our finding joy in watching a cactus have its own "children" that are the real miracles in life. I can tell you know what JOY is. Many don’t . . as they do not look at the positives. I usually am able to quietly turn things around for myself by not dwelling on "me" but being out there to be there for others. You said I smile. I do much of the time, being in love with life as I am. And somehow, I imagine you also do. . and do you realize what kind of blessing that is??? Your head - as they say - is screwed on right. Joan

By joan larsen on 08/30/2009 11:35 am

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Thanks Joan

I’m blushing, bashful, dopey, sneezy and the other four….keep smiling. Your smile brightens the world.—F

By FFox on 08/30/2009 12:48 pm

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Some lottery winners have experienced great tragedies after their wins. However, it’s probably because they didn’t know how to handle so much money so quickly.

Some rich people have some awful divorces when they split. Guess they’re afraid to be poor.

As for me, since I’ve never been rich, I’m happiest knowing my bills are paid and I have money left over that isn’t earmarked for anything. I’d like to have a lot of extra money, but that hasn’t happened yet. I probably would not spend it if I had it. You never know what the future holds and how your immediate and necessary needs change. I would always lead a simple life and try to help my kids out.

By LauraWard on 08/27/2009 2:13 am

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Money cannot buy happiness. Money can elivate financial concerns. However, it cannot substitute in any way, shape or form happiness and love. I’ve seen some really wealthy people who are miserable and surrounded by pretentious people who are just as miserable. People who have no true friends nor loving family members. Family members who count the seconds until their death to hopefully reap benefits. I’ve also those who are not wealthy just as miserable.

I’ve seen persons who are not wealthy happy, at peace and contented surrounded by real friends and family members who love them.

Money can purchase material goods.Spiritually it cannot provide true love, peace, fulfillment and inner happiness only God gives.

By LC4 on 08/27/2009 4:45 am

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LC - something else we agree 100% about. Money does not buy you happiness. If you were born into money you always hav eto worry if the woman/man your marrying is with you b/c of your money or if they truly love you…who wants to live that way?

By CHardy on 08/27/2009 9:21 am

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C Hardy -indeed who wants to live that way? :)

By LC4 on 09/01/2009 10:52 am

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Money is a tool and like all tools it can be used to ease a lot of worry from life. Not having to fret over affording basic necessities does add quality to any life. I taught adult remedial reading for several years working with people determined to improve their circumstances and happiness by learning enough to improve their financial outlook. They knew that taking these classes would boost their ability to earn a better living. They were happy to have that opportunity. I learned from teaching them that hope can bring happiness. It was a privilege for me to be able to work with people with such a positive outlook on life. That was happiness too.

By ChrisGlass on 08/27/2009 6:54 am