The impact money has on humans’ mood cannot be neglected as it determines how happy or sad a person is, to a very big extent.

Money equates happiness for many, and it doesn’t equate to happiness for some set of people.

Let’s get to know how money relates to happiness;

So, we all know the wealthiest person in the world is Elon Musk — Elon Musk is a billionaire already, and he can afford anything he wishes to get.

On the other hand, not many know the worker who earns a meager because he is not wealthy and cannot afford everything he wishes to have.

For instance, the poor worker is earning a hundred dollars per month, and he got promoted, which will have him earn around $400 per month — you will notice how he will brighten up and become a happy man because of the pay increase.

Now, let’s assume Elon Musk has a net worth of around $200 billion and Tesla sales went up in a month and his net worth increased to $ 220 billion — this will definitely brighten his mood and make him happy as well but not as much as the poor worker.

The difference between Elon Musk and the poor worker is the level of wealth they have.

Elon already knows how it feels to have money and get things you need, while the poor worker doesn’t know the feeling hence, his happiness.

Both Elon and the poor worker will be happy, obviously, but the level of happiness differs, and if we could use an imaginary instrument to measure their level of happiness, we would know a huge difference.

Another case scenario is between Countries — using the United States for example;

The United States boasts of good GDP, and the minimum wage paid to the workers in the United States is better than Countries in Africa.

Now, let’s imagine the minimum wage in the United States is around $3,000, and it was announced that the pay would be increased to $3,500; the happiness on the faces of the workers will be less than those in African Countries earning $100 per month.

The relationship money has with happiness is dependent on the individual and not on the amount of money.

If you want to be happier with money, then consider;

Spending On Experience

Studies have shown that visiting new places and trying out new things create a happier mood than buying new things such as cars, houses, etc.

The feelings you get from new places and the new things you try out tend to stick with you forever, and when you reminisce about it, it brightens your mood and makes you happy.

Spending On Others

It is also evident that when you spend on others, you tend to be happy with the money you gave out.

Giving out money now depends on the intention of why you gave the person — If it is to ease his burden then, anytime you see such a person with a lesser burden because the money you gave him relieved him of his burden, then you have the happy feeling inside of you.

You can also try giving our cash to donate to a cause you really admire or helping a stranger who is short of cash sort out his bills at a grocery store.

Studies have shown that the happiness you derive from these acts will be more than spending the money on yourself.

Final Thoughts

Money determines happiness and this doesn’t in any way contradict the saying “money cannot buy happiness” because the wealthy ones also have things they worry about.

Money goes a long way in making someone but cannot instantly buy happiness, but it can set you free of many worries that are dependent on finances. It is just the basic rule of life!

References

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/money-and-happiness-an-enriching-relationship/