Alain Guillot

Life, Leadership, and Money Matters

At what point money doesn’t make you any more happy?

How many times have you heard the phrase “Money doesn’t bring you happiness”? yet, we live a world where money is idolized and lack of money is the cause of extreme unhappiness.

Think of 12% of US citizens who live below the poverty line. Think of $1.4 trillion of student debt outstanding. Think of the millions of people without health insurance. Think of the thousands of people living in the streets.

And we North Americans, we have won the geographic lottery, we are the 1% when compared to the rest of the world. We can flick our fingers and have electricity. We can turn our wrist and have running water. We can press a button and have heat. Millions of people in the world would risk their lives to be in our position.

So, yes, money can bring us a lot of happiness. Or rather, the lack of money can make us very unhappy.

Once we have covered our basic needs, up to what point money doesn’t bring you any more happiness?

Some studies claim that after $75,000 more money will not bring you more happiness. Is that the case for you?

happiness

For me, I have to admit it, money has brought me a lot of happiness. At one time I was very poor. I have been a janitor, a busboy at several restaurants, I worked at a sandwich shop preparing sandwiches… I have done many low paying jobs and today, when I have enough money from my art, from my photography, from my dance classes, and from my writing, that I can make a living doing things that I love and more money would not make me any happier.

To be honest, I don’t earn much. I earn between $24k to $30K and I am a lot happier than many of my friends who earn a lot more than me. My friend owns a $1,000 iPhone, and I own a $100 Android phone and we can both make the same phone calls and the same text messages. My friend owns designer jeans and I wear Walmart jeans and I feel just as happy. My friend works full time, and I work part-time and feel that I am getting a better deal.

How about you? Have you reached a point where more money will not make you happier? If so, please share.

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