Happy Go Lucky - Part 4

Research shows that happy people are healthier, more successful, and more creative. And with the right tools, being happy is well within our control. So go ahead and try this strategy for bringing more joy into your life:

Buy Some Happiness

The relationship between money and happiness is a complicated one. Many people think that more money guarantees more life satisfaction, but studies show that once a person’s basic needs are taken care of, more money doesn’t necessarily mean more joy.

In 1972, when the average salary was equivalent to about $25,000 by today’s standards, 30 percent of Americans rated themselves as “very happy.” Fast forward three decades and the percentage of very happy Americans in 2004 remained nearly stagnant, hovering at just 31 percent, despite the fact that the average annual income had jumped to $38,000.

Most people fool themselves into thinking they need more money than they actually do. At about age 34, a lot of [people] realize what they do to make a living doesn’t have anything to do with their passion. We make superficial choices. That’s the tragedy of materialism—it holds us back from our most creative nature, to create value, to serve others. The data is very clear on this one.

Even if you do get the big raise you’ve been dreaming of, odds are the happiness that comes from it will be short lived. Humans tend to adapt to their circumstances very quickly. Almost immediately the increased income becomes the new normal. It takes just three months for the happiness of the salary increase to wear off. And you’ll get used to the big fancy house within six months. Interestingly, no matter what income level people attain, they still usually report that their required income to be about 40 percent higher than what they are currently earning.

The good news is that money can buy happiness—as long as you give it away to someone in need. People who give are richer, happier, and healthier. Happier people give more, and people who give are happier and earn more money. People who donate are less likely than non-givers to suffer from depression.