“The best things in life are free.”
“Money doesn’t make the world go around.”
These phrases are so commonly used that many of us start to feel bad about liking money, or admitting that fact. A desire for wealth is dismissed as greed, those who earn millions in just one year must have cheated their way there, and people who want to pursue lucrative career paths are only in it for the money. These common misperceptions and stereotypes need to be debunked.
It’s true that money can’t directly buy happiness, but it can definitely come close. Nobody ever complained about being too wealthy, because that wealth can buy you both things you need and want. Money does, in fact, make the world go around – among other things of course. The stock market and the global economy are all driven by people buying and selling goods and services. Other factors do play into the economy, but money is a pretty important part of the whole process.
As kids, many of us are told that we can be whatever we want to be when we grow up. Some of us are only given the options of “doctor, lawyer, or engineer.” The reasons behind these limitations include the knowledge and honor that come with each career path, but also the financial stability. There is nothing wrong with pursuing a career with high rewards. This is not to say that those pursuing a history major or studio art minor should not do so because they will be doing what they love. It is important to choose a career which makes you happy, but what if math and finance make you happy? Is it wrong to enjoy doing something which will result in high profits? It’s unfair to say that people who aim to be traders or investment bankers are in it solely for the money.
Then again, there are definitely some benefits which come with the lifestyle associated with these careers. And it’s the side perks which bring happiness. Multiple vacations per year, quality clothing, gourmet food, a beautiful home or lavish penthouse, and designer shoes: I’m sure nobody would complain if they had access to all of these luxuries. There is the simple saying that “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy ice cream and that’s close enough.” This statement is true at the most basic level, especially because material possessions are often what bring smiles to our faces. We get excited when we are able to purchase concert tickets, buy new shoes, or get the latest version of the iPhone. I want to be able to buy something without checking the price first, and not have to think twice before swiping my credit card.
There are, of course, some nuances. An old TED Talk revealed that after a certain level of income, the level of happiness did not increase but rather flatlined. Those with millions of dollars were as satisfied with their lives as those making around $80,000 a year. After a while, life is about being able to live comfortably with spending room for some luxuries. At the end of the day, money can’t buy you real friends and strong family ties, which is what people are referring to when they say it can’t buy happiness.
Never be embarrassed to admit that you like money because aside from being able to buy almost anything you want, you can have a social impact if you give back to your community and help the less fortunate. So essentially, you can buy happiness for yourself and others. Buy one get one
