We all were kids once, standing in line at the store with our parents, begging for another stuffed animal, a chocolate bar, or a new pair of shoes.
“Stuff doesn’t make you happy. You can’t buy happiness.” I’m sure those words (or something like it) have been said to us by all of our parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles at least once.
What if they were wrong? According to Healthline, “A 2010 study based on a Gallup poll of more than 450,000 respondents suggests that making an income up to $75,000 a year may make you feel more satisfied with your life. This survey only looked at people in the United States.”
No, this isn’t to imply that a person could go to a store and purchase physical happiness, but it does imply that having enough money to take care of your financial necessities, as well as a padding, can and does lead to people living happier lives.
Our necessities—food, clothing, shelter—all cost money. Not to mention our many other financial responsibilities like rent, utility bills, phone payments, car payments, student loans, insurance, etc.
There are few things every person has in common, but money is something we all need.
The Healthline page continues with, “Another Gallup poll from 2017 surveyed people from around the world and resulted in similar findings. According to survey results, emotional well-being may be reached when a person earns between $60,000 and $75,000. Satiation may occur when a person earns around $95,000.”
People are happier when they don’t have to worry about how they’re going to afford groceries this week, let alone where their next meal is coming from.
People are happier when they don’t have to work 60+ hours per week and still wonder whether or not they’ll have enough to make rent.
Money isn’t everything, and it certainly can’t fix every problem. However, having money does alleviate many stressors brought on by not having money.
The truth about living in a capitalist society is that people inadvertently base almost everything’s worth on monetary value.
The claim “money doesn’t buy happiness” is an excuse for this country’s lack of concern regarding universal healthcare, poverty, unlivable minimum wage, and financially inaccessible higher education.
The sooner we accept that money does in fact control most of our society and has a huge impact on people’s quality of life, the closer we are to creating a nation where people can live instead of just survive.
Featured image via Pixabay
