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If Money Doesn't Make You Happy Then You Probably Aren't Spending It Right [pdf]

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Re: If Money Doesn't Make You Happy Then You Probably Aren't Spending It Right [pdf]

#22

I think in general having financial security makes me happy, not buying any specific stuff.

Yep, there is a very deep contentment with knowing whatever happens, you're safe. I started my career in 2008. I used to think of my money in terms of what I could buy for life. First it was food, then rent, and later all my expenses. Financial independence was the best thing I ever 'bought' for myself.

Re: If Money Doesn't Make You Happy Then You Probably Aren't Spending It Right [pdf]

#24

I think the first part of this misses the point of both money and happiness. The ultimate goal of any life form we are aware of here on Earth is proliferation of the genes it carries, whether that be by individual longevity, reproduction, or longevity and reproduction of closely-related individuals that carry the same genes. Emotions seem to have evolved as a means of motivating behavior toward better adaptive fitnes…

IMHO you're oversimplifying it. The drastic decline in fertility rates in the developed world runs counter to the idea that humans are merely yet another animal that exists to spread their genes. I also don't buy the idea that we're stuck in some endless loop to acquire money or stuff either. There are plenty of people in the FIRE community that have found 'enough' and are content to simply live out their lives doing things they enjoy.

Re: If Money Doesn't Make You Happy Then You Probably Aren't Spending It Right [pdf]

#25

I think in general having financial security makes me happy, not buying any specific stuff.

Yep, there is a very deep contentment with knowing whatever happens, you're safe. I started my career in 2008. I used to think of my money in terms of what I could buy for life. First it was food, then rent, and later all my expenses. Financial independence was the best thing I ever 'bought' for myself.

[deleted]

Re: If Money Doesn't Make You Happy Then You Probably Aren't Spending It Right [pdf]

#26
post #3

Conclusion: > Money can buy many, if not most, if not all of the things that make people happy, and if it doesn’t, then the fault is ours. Is that a grammatically sound sentence?

It's pretty deeply nested, which may be technically correct but is not recommended. It also may be missing a second comma? Not sure... > Money can buy many, if not most, if not all, of the things that make people happy, and if it doesn’t, then the fault is ours. Maybe a parenthetical clause? > Money can buy many (if not most, if not all) of the things that make people happy, and if it doesn’t, then the fault is ours.

What about

Money can buy most, if not all of the things that make …

?

Re: If Money Doesn't Make You Happy Then You Probably Aren't Spending It Right [pdf]

#29

I think the first part of this misses the point of both money and happiness. The ultimate goal of any life form we are aware of here on Earth is proliferation of the genes it carries, whether that be by individual longevity, reproduction, or longevity and reproduction of closely-related individuals that carry the same genes. Emotions seem to have evolved as a means of motivating behavior toward better adaptive fitnes…

IMHO you're oversimplifying it. The drastic decline in fertility rates in the developed world runs counter to the idea that humans are merely yet another animal that exists to spread their genes. I also don't buy the idea that we're stuck in some endless loop to acquire money or stuff either. There are plenty of people in the FIRE community that have found 'enough' and are content to simply live out their lives doing…

>I also don't buy the idea that we're stuck in some endless loop to acquire money or stuff either.

Does anyone argue this idea?

If so then why do people like the Amish exist? They seem pretty happy to me, with little.

Maybe I am naive, but do Amish typically worry about money and about materialistic things?

Re: If Money Doesn't Make You Happy Then You Probably Aren't Spending It Right [pdf]

#30
Having money solves money problems. A huge chunk of people worldwide are struggling because of money problems, so of course money will make them happier. Others have problems that have nothing to do with money, and for them "just spend more wisely, duh" is idiotic advice.

So the answer to "does money make people happy?" (on in this case "does using money correctly make people happy?") is – first tell me why they are unhappy.

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