Money Cannot Buy Happiness Essay

“It’s not about the money, money, money . . . Ain’t about the cha-ching cha-ching, ain’t about the ba-bling ba-bling . . . Why is everybody so obsessed? Money cannot buy us happiness.” In 2011, these words were written my Jessie J. in a song called “Price Tag.” Did Jessie J have it right? Many people claim that money buys happiness, but does it really? Happiness is defined as a mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. Does millions of dollars bring lasting happiness? Many people think that if they could just get more money, happiness will follow, but it doesn’t work like that. Famous celebrities who have overdosed and lottery winners who end up more unhappy than before, and often broke, are perfect examples of how money cannot buy happiness. Even though money gives people access to material, “shiny” things, it cannot buy happiness and even contributes to unhappiness.

Once a person’s basic needs are met, lasting happiness, or a state of contentment or intense joy, does not come from money, but from relationships, experiences and personal freedom. “Freedom and independence are more important to people’s well-being than money, according to a meta-analysis of data from 63 countries published by the American Psychological Association (Money Can’t Buy Happiness).” Oxford University psychologist, Michael Argyle’s comprehensive work The Psychology of Happiness concludes that “The conditions of life which really make a difference to happiness are those covered by three sources--social relations, work, and leisure. (_______)” In addition, a 2002 study by Ed Diener, a University of Illinois psychologist, and Martin Seligman, University of Pen...

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...s colleagues surveyed approximately 165 households via an anonymous online survey and were surprised to find that while money eased many aspects of these peoples lives, it made other aspects more difficult. Sonja Lyubomisrsky, author of The How of Happiness, states that “. . . having money raises our aspirations about the happiness that we expect in our lives, and these raised aspirations can be toxic. Unfortunately, raised aspirations don’t only lead us to take things for granted and impair our savoring abilities. They steer us to consume too much, tax the planet’s resources, overspend and under save, go into debt, gamble, live beyond our means and purchase mortgages that we can’t afford.” Material things do not make us happy. Buying things like houses and cars only have a short-term effect on happiness. If you are not happy first, money won’t buy it for you.