Overview: I chose to pick the topic of whether “Money buys Happiness” or not. The depth in which someone’s opinion on money buying happiness or if happiness is brought upon us through a different sensation, with or without money. Personally, throughout my life, the basic necessities and the occasional gift of something I had asked for are all I ever had. Sometimes the purchases of others leave me with confusion, and with the point of view of my upbringing, if those purchases are a NEED or WANT. Happiness should not be measured through purchases, but measured through other factors which I will explain.

Can Money Buy You Happiness

Background: The point of view of this article written by the Wall Street Journal mainly focuses on how you can use your money to either spend it on experiences, or through purchasing material goods. The article explains that most people believe that the material goods buy you happiness because they tend to last much longer than experiences. But, studies formulated by Professor Howell, associate professor of psychology at San Francisco State University, shows that the much shorter-lasting experiences such as a week’s vacation provide a better value. Alongside Prof. Howell, a Cornell University psychology professor, Thomas Gilovich, views the limits of money in relation to happiness very similarly. Psychologically, the happiness given to you from the short lasting experience is far greater than a material good that could last a while. The focus is more driven to the fact of the length of time of the happiness.

How I Used It: The theory of happiness that has been around for ages: “Money CAN buy Happiness” can simply be disproven. This specific theory becomes overlooked by the fact of experiences we share with others who indeed give us the feeling of happiness. Professor Howell and Thomas Gilovich can also represent the psychological factor of our aura of happiness outplays the actual scientific factors and statistics that will never remain the same in this study/hypotheses.

Can Money Really Buy Happiness?

Background: In John Grohol’s point of view written in “Can Money Really Buy Happiness?” he briefly rewords what the previous article had spoke about with the experiences and purchases. After rephrasing, John delivers another important response to the question: spending money on others, no matter how much it is, brings more satisfaction to someone rather then that person spending that money on themselves. His theory states that money could buy you happiness, only when giving some away at the same time. This seems that this is a “paying it forward” approach.

How I Used It: “Paying It Forward” is a way to show others that we are willing to give away items, or whatever it may be, in order to ensure their happiness compared to our own. Giving money away to others, whether its in bits, large amounts, or a sentimental symbol/item towards our lives brings along a great deal of strength and solidarity. The “content” of someone who pays it forward may be a longer lasting effect of happiness than those who recently bought a materialistic $300 Michael Kors purse for their girlfriend or mother that the person will only be excited for a minor fraction of time.

Can Money Really Buy Happiness? Well, Maybe..

Background: This article seemed interesting to me. David DiSalvo of Forbes brings up, once again what Professor Howell of San Francisco State University said from earlier. Although, this time, he also gives his own branched off opinion. David tells us to buy either the experience or material goods, but only if the purchase matches up with our personality and values. This explores the fact of those materialistic people can make impulsive decisions to buy “trendy” items or something in order to fit in somehow. These type of people are often labeled as “fake” but no one is fake, in a literal sense, but that they use items to personify a false personality. David DiSalvo makes you wonder, and enforces us to double check each purchase. With each time you spend money, the moral of the decision is what matters.

How I Used It: As a college student, we have been through the total package of drama in all of middle school, high school, etc. Mainly the reasoning is some sort of back stabbing, or lying of some sort of way so that person does not seem like a true friend, but instead, a “fake” one. Although, this does not directly apply to our theory, the subject of being “fake” or unlike yourself in order to fit in with trendy styles or friends. In the end, this analogy also has relevance of buying material items so that one can be slightly popular, but how much good does that do for us? Being more popular and not showing your true colors (personality) in order to purchase material goods is not the “IT” thing to do. Having morals and dignity to be proud of what you like and purchase to describe the type of person we are will earn us the respect we deserve to give ourselves and receive.

Money DOESN’T buy happiness: How Friends and Family- not flashy possessions- bring true contentment

Background: Finally, there is someone unknown (DAILY MAIL REPORTER) behind an article that strictly leaves money out of the picture. Although the word “money” is in the counterintuitivity in this situation, happiness is all that matters. Rather than money, a close-knit relationship with family and friends will give us the happiness feeling that we crave. This shows the true colors of happiness, the people who molded us into the different personalities is the reason we smile at the end of the day. Some people may not even have the opportunity to say “family” in reference to their own lives. There should be a feeling of being fortunate to have what we have in our lives and the importance of family and friends “buy the richness” of happiness.

How I Used It: Of course we all would love to be recognized under the label of “rich” at some point in our lives. What we pulled form this specific article is the “richness” of our loved ones. Having family and friends there for us by our side, caring for us uncontrollably incase something severe were to happen, there is just nothing better. For that, our standpoint for the measure of our happiness equates to the relationships we build going through our lives.

Can Money Buy Happiness? – HowStuffWorks

Background: This last article clearly states the difference of happiness between the American riches and as far down as the poorest that’s below poverty level. The poverty appreciate living as happiness whereas the filthy stinkin’ rich are living in luxury wondering if and when they can upgrade their lives. Living in luxury wears itself out and life could be boring, but to those squeezing in little huts somewhere around the world most likely have a longer period of happiness in life. Mainly, the fact of life buys you happiness. So, instead of money, can the purpose of life reward you with happiness?

How I Used It: It seems a bit weird how someone could tie money and happiness together in a manner so that if we did not have any money, we would no longer have any happiness. Americans live to succeed by setting goals, just to crush them. We all live and breathe. That is something we should not take for granted. We live and breathe for those goals and with that, life is worth appreciating. Some people do not deserve to leave this Earth so quickly, so it is safe to say that the purpose of life can buy our happiness rather than physical currency.