Ask HN: What are the best ways you've seen for turning money into happiness?

Kinda random, but is wine the only expensive alcohol “normal” people are willing to buy or something?

I als because I could walk into a liquor store right now and see all sorts of wines varying in price between stuff I’d think twice about drinking and stuff I’d think twice about before paying for.

But I’m always disappointed by the liquor selection. Sure it offers more than a typical bar, but they seem on par with some l fancier cocktail bars I’ve been to. They tend to have a lot of different drinks, but outside of your typical liquors, there’s maybe only one or two brands of anything, never particularly expensive or cheap. But there’s never really much expensive liquors (at least compared to expensive wines, which get locked up)

Save up money religiously for over a decade and retire early.

The main thing money buys is peace of mind, which isn't happiness exactly but it's hard to be happy when you are stressed. This includes all the other things that can bring peace of mind like owning a home/land (less worried about rent increases or getting kicked out), having a full pantry (no worries about food scarcity), paying for further skills training (less worry about job security).

Could help with mental health too, hire a therapist(most of us could use it even just a little), get medicated if needed.

It can also help your social life which makes you happier, things like going out to eat with friends, going to concerts, going on dates, getting drinks with the guys, taking a vacation with a SO.

It can also help with health, hiring a nutritionist or trainer, hormone optimization, supplements, necissary surgeries or even cosmetic ones.

It can shape perception of those around you which can open up new opportunites, like dressing well in well tailored clothes or name brand stuff, having a nice car, seeing a hairstylist every other week, get your hands manicured, eyebrows trimmed, body hair removed.

It can make you feel like a good person and actually be true sometimes, like donating to people/orgs, investing in neighborhoods, helping supply a worthy cause (like donating to the EFF), investing in funds with a purpose (like making the world better), helping support the development of new technologies.

It can help you be more effective, hire a secretary or other teams of people that support you (it's why hollywood stars can look good when older, they have literal teams of people making them look good), you can buy that software/device that does that thing you need.

But if you need something to lift your mood immediately, go experience something which can be bought too. Go play around on a jetski, take a trip to Bali, hire an event planner to throw a party for you.

I know a guy who bought a $10K watch. Wearing the watch effortlessly demonstrated his wealth, which boosted his confidence when talking to girls. The 2nd order effects of the watch seemed to make him very happy.

Fireworks, and michelin-star meals.