July's chapter is about money - definitely a timely topic. Although our country and indeed the world is presently experiencing a recession, in some ways everyday life doesn't feel any different. I think in my case it is because I have a job that is not affected by the economy, at least at this point. So, reading a chapter on spending money to buy happiness, doesn't feel quite right. Shouldn't I be saving for a rainy day rather than spending?
Gretchen comes to the conclusion that money alone cannot buy happiness but, used wisely, it can help to buy happiness. "Whether rich or poor, people make choices about how they spend money, and those choices can boost happiness or undermine it." She identifies three factors in her quest to relate happiness to money. The first - it depends on what kind of person you are. The second - it depends on how you spend your money. Finally, the third - it depends on how much money you have relative to the people around you and relative to your own experience.
In considering these factors, she makes a revelation - "the lack of money, or health for that matter, brings much more unhappiness than possessing them brings happiness." We can squander our health or our money or make destructive choices and not be any happier. Taking anything for granted is a bad idea. Instead, we need to try to make good choices not only about our health but also as to how we spend our money. Gretchen's goals for the month included indulging in a modest splurge, buying needful things, spending out and giving something up.
In this chapter, she decides to use her money in a way that will support her happiness goals, being careful, however, to stay within her budget. None of her choices are cheap but it feels good to use products that are of better quality rather than scrimping all the time. She also makes a choice to donate money to a children's library program which gives her an immediate happiness boost. Although not admirable, spending money or "retail therapy" as it is often called, does give people happiness for a while, but that quickly wears off when the purchase just becomes one more thing in your home. That is why we need to be careful that our purchases are truly going to bring us joy or provide us with something that we need. If using a special pen brings you joy every time you use it at work, the the fact that you spent extra money on it is a reasonable compromise. Similarly, making an impulse purchase and then realizing you didn't really need the item or it doesn't fit into your lifestyle brings regret and unhappiness.
I think there is a long way to go in considering how money and happiness work together. I agree with some of the ideas presented here, but it is easy to think this way when money is available. How about those people who are not as fortunate? If you can barely afford to eat every day, then splurging or donating or going to a movie to make you happy is not a choice you can afford to make. Financial inequality is still prevalent in our world and so I find some of the ideas here to be materialistic. Our world is still divided between those who have and those who have not and we are often blind to the realities of hunger and homelessness. Let's face it, all the money in the world won't buy you happiness if you have a terminal illness or lose a loved one. So, I think, I have to stick with the advice of the well-known quote, "Money can't buy happiness", at least not on a permanent basis.
No comments:
Post a Comment