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If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]

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Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]

#11

Post by thisjepisje »

mparlane wrote: post #3
collyw wrote: post #2

I was happiest 15 years ago working as a raft guide and traveling the world. I had very little money then, but I was very happy. I got to do what I loved every day. I usually made two large purchases per year (the opposite of what this article suggests) - a kayak and a return ticket to my next destination. I now sit in front of a computer. Earn OK money but not enough to retire on anytime soon (I am in Spain just now…

Your old life reminded me of the Mexican fisherman story :) http://bemorewithless.com/the-story-of-the-mexican-fisherman...

Sounds like a rewrite of this 1963 German story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anekdote_zur_Senkung_der_Arbeit...

Well worth reading if you speak German:

http://www.aloj.us.es/webdeutsch/s_3/transkriptionen/l_26_st...

Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]

#12

Post by markyc »

icebraining wrote: post #10
markyc wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

if he loves to fish that shouldn't be a problem though, thus giving him 15 extra years of peaceful life i know, he could get injured and not be able to fish, but on that note, in 15 years he could find out he has cancer and not be able to enjoy his money

His kids would, though.

they may prefer 15 years of quality time with dad to a load of cash

PS: I'd love to hear some arguments on this, not just simple downvotes. Is HN turning into a place like: "you don't think like me, so I'm downvoting you and moving along"?

Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]

#13

Post by custardcream »

k__ wrote: post #6

A year ago I stopped spending my money on "things" and start spending it on free time. My life is much better now.

I have a similar approach albeit a different manifestation I suspect: I try to avoid accumulating money as compensation of my time. If I'm not being paid, I'm not working so I tend to work what I need to. If I am being paid, I'm making sure it's as much as I can get to avoid having to get more.

Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]

#14

Post by dschiptsov »

“Money doesn’t just buy you a better life — better food, better cars, better pussy — it also makes you a better person. You can give generously to the church of your choice or the political party. You can save the fucking spotted owl with money.”

I know, I know.)

Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]

#16

Post by bane »

Money may not buy happiness, but it's strange how often it's a factor in things that make you unhappy.

The unhappiest I've ever been was during a difficult period with my family. Money was definitely involved, and the center of much of the issue, but it was the troubles in the relationship with people close to me that made me unhappy.

If money had never been an issue, I never would have had either trouble and things would be different today. The money part of the situation was trivially resolvable, but the relationship one has lingered for the better part of two decades and looks like it'll never find a satisfactory conclusion.

Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]

#17

Post by emotionalcode »

collyw wrote: post #2

I was happiest 15 years ago working as a raft guide and traveling the world. I had very little money then, but I was very happy. I got to do what I loved every day. I usually made two large purchases per year (the opposite of what this article suggests) - a kayak and a return ticket to my next destination. I now sit in front of a computer. Earn OK money but not enough to retire on anytime soon (I am in Spain just now…

I can't tell if I'm happier now. When I was a grad student I was always stressed over money, and my health was very bad (this is atypical, I should have been on more responsible about my health rather than dismissing it to promising to see the doctor after the next deadline). I have to work harder to learn new things, and I don't have access to a community that is intrinsically connected to the computer science research community.

My health is better now, and I can depend on myself to provide for myself, but sometimes it does just feel like there's a hole that money can't fill. I often feel like I have to continually keep my mind focused on not giving up on higher education or the act of responsibly confusing myself with too much study, just because I happen to be good at software development in a different regard. The ability to be totally lost in a class way beyond the depth I saw myself capable of surmounting was a luxury I took seriously for granted.

Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]

#18

Post by kabouseng »

bane wrote: post #16

Money may not buy happiness, but it's strange how often it's a factor in things that make you unhappy. The unhappiest I've ever been was during a difficult period with my family. Money was definitely involved, and the center of much of the issue, but it was the troubles in the relationship with people close to me that made me unhappy. If money had never been an issue, I never would have had either trouble and things…

In motivational theory there is a concept called Two factor theory[1]. Some things provide job satisfaction, and some things cause job dissatisfaction. An employee could have all the job satisfaction in the world, but still be unhappy because there is other elements bothering him. Or another way round, nothing bothers him at work, but also nothing excites him.

Perhaps money is the same. It doesn't provide happiness, but lack of money does cause unhappiness.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-factor_theory

Re: If money doesn't make you happy, you probably aren't spending it right (2010) [pdf]

#19

Post by balou »

k__ wrote: post #6

A year ago I stopped spending my money on "things" and start spending it on free time. My life is much better now.

This is indeed so true; yet money doesn't buy time. Unless you are in your dream location there's always inherent costs to visiting relatives / friends, match their schedule, or simply go wherever you feel good. So you end-up with a double need for money ;)

Still ... I fully agree!

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