ot. money

[scaredyclassic]

some money definitely helps with happiness but it requires other elements to make it work.

Spent weekend with relatives. Youngish cousin retired early. Doesn’t seem happier than me.

I know this is pretty obvious,stuff, but it’s staggering to me how I keep forgetting it.

[The-Shoveler]

Unnamed relative, seemed unhappy until they started collecting SS at 65, then they seemed much happier (the last 10 years now and going)

So Collecting SS = happiness as far as I can tell.

[scaredyclassic]

Happiness is at its lowest in middle age, increases in old age, psych research says.

With Age Comes Happiness

[The-Shoveler]

I bet SS has something to do with that LOL.

[ltsddd]

that makes sense. For most people middle age is when you realized that your youth and the energy and optimism that come with it are gone. In their place are achy body and spirit, along with the stress and pressure of the daily grind. And to top it off, most realized whatever they have accomplished is probably of little significance. It’s probably no different than that stage 4 (depression) of the 5 stages of grief. Once they hit that “old” age, they probably realized there’s not much they can do with little time left and decided to just kick it (stage 5 – acceptance).

[FlyerInHi]

What a timely topic.

The other day, I was talking to someone and was accused of judging people on money. I was talking to someone about someone else. I said “he should have married Cindy because she was nice and from a rich family. It’s too bad because he ended up later with someone else who is just OK in comparison.” Sometimes people pass on a good opportunity and never find better, so they settle for less. Thinking about what could have been is one source of regret and unhappiness.

My experience is that people who say they don’t care about money actually do care a lot, but not directly. They care about social standing. But that’s what sophisticated people do.

The source of unhappiness is comparing yourself against others who have more. If you do that, it’s your damn fault.

[scaredyclassic]

[quote=ltsdd]that makes sense. For most people middle age is when you realized that your youth and the energy and optimism that come with it are gone. In their place are achy body and spirit, along with the stress and pressure of the daily grind. And to top it off, most realized whatever they have accomplished is probably of little significance. It’s probably no different than that stage 4 (depression) of the 5 stages of grief. Once they hit that “old” age, they probably realized there’s not much they can do with little time left and decided to just kick it (stage 5 – acceptance).[/quote]

Need to get to stage 5 quicker.

[FlyerInHi]

Economists don’t care about anything but money. They say it’s the best measure of success.

Social scientists argue that we relate to our peers. It’s not money, but our standing in relation to our peers. So regardless of how rich a society gets, happiness pretty much remains constant over time.

But you can’t get away from money. If your income grows 2% faster than that your peers, after 30 years, you have roughly double the wealth. That affects happiness because the people who didn’t grow are suddenly at the bottom.

[moneymaker]

When I had less money I didn’t really think about it, but now that I have more I find I probably think about money too much. I don’t think it’s cause effect just slowly realizing that it is important to have some.

[scaredyclassic]

[quote=FlyerInHi]What a timely topic.

The other day, I was talking to someone and was accused of judging people on money. I was talking to someone about someone else. I said “he should have married Cindy because she was nice and from a rich family. It’s too bad because he ended up later with someone else who is just OK in comparison.” Sometimes people pass on a good opportunity and never find better, so they settle for less. Thinking about what could have been is one source of regret and unhappiness.

My experience is that people who say they don’t care about money actually do care a lot, but not directly. They care about social standing. But that’s what sophisticated people do.

The source of unhappiness is comparing yourself against others who have more. If you do that, it’s your damn fault.[/quote]

It’s fair to say humans only exist in relation to other humans.

It is unreasonable to expect us not to compare

[flyer]

Personally, I think not having to worry about finances as early in life as possible is a good thing. There is less stress in knowing that phase of life is taken care of for yourself and for your family, and it provides a lot of freedom in the way you live your life.

Although that scenario does provide greater peace of mind, it may or may not provide happiness. Imo, money may be a component of happiness–but it’s not the source. That lies far deeper in the human psyche, and is different for each person.

[Anonymous]

[quote=FlyerInHi]Economists don’t care about anything but money. They say it’s the best measure of success.[/quote]

Economists do not study money, they study behavior.

[scaredyclassic]

[quote=flyer]Personally, I think not having to worry about finances as early in life as possible is a good thing. There is less stress in knowing that phase of life is taken care of for yourself and for your family, and it provides a lot of freedom in the way you live your life.

Although that scenario does provide greater peace of mind, it may or may not provide happiness. Imo, money may be a component of happiness–but it’s not the source. That lies far deeper in the human psyche, and is different for each person.[/quote]

Not having to worry about money is a good thing, of course but perhaps it’s not always related to how much money is in ones pile.

What is money other thanconsumption and possible deferred consumption or investing with sn eye toward potentially even greater possible deferred consumption?

Maybe I should start a new clothing line called LILIES OF THE VALLEY consisting of Monk like robes. That could pay off BIG TIME.

[NotCranky]

You will always do better with gilded lilies. We must be special.

[Doofrat]

I’d say this Johnny Cash quote is appropriate:
Success is having to worry about every damn thing in the world, except money.

[Author]

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