The Price of Happiness: Can Money Buy It?

One of the two-sided conversations you could have is the subject of money and happiness. Precisely, the question is, can money buy happiness? It isn't a new discussion as this has been quite a popular one over time. And the two-sided opinions make it more interesting as you have people appealing to the statement as true and others opposing it as false, all presenting certain points or experiences to establish their positions.

Undeniably, money is important. Very important I'll even say. Virtually everything in life, in today's world especially has the need for money. Money is needed to run the things we need in life. It's basically the primary means for the purchase of goods and exchange of services. People have suffered some lack and opportunities because of the issue of money. In those moments, all they needed was money, but it wasn't available.

So, I understand the need and importance of money. I also understand how it can make a person feel happy when he or she has money. Having money means having one's needs met, and you can say that makes them feel good and happy. Looking at all of these, maybe then we can say that money can buy happiness. But is it actually true? Don't we think happiness is deeper than that and we're giving money more power than it should have?

Saying money can buy happiness means one's happiness can be predicated on money. Perhaps, this is so for some people. But what I find problematic is that there are rich people who are living in pain and unhappiness. Whereas, there are people who are living and getting by with just enough for their needs, not financially buoyant enough to say that they should derive happiness from having money, and yet they have some of the happiest lives one could ever see.

I've seen such people, and the two cases make my stand more viable on the premise that money can't buy happiness. In my undeniable appraisal of the value and need of money, I didn't fail to mention that there are limited things it can achieve for humans. These, include true love and good relationships, which can't be bought by money. They go beyond transactions but affection, care and concern. Things that go beyond what can be purchased but what is deeper.

We shouldn't even base our happiness on others, let alone money, but a more viable source of happiness can be in genuine relationships. That counts more because there could be times when all the money one has can't get them relief out of that depression or situation that touches heavily on emotion, but a little comforting presence of a loved one or even a stranger, cheering them up and overwhelming them with care and concern does much.

Again, I reaffirm the power of money and how far the need for it goes. What is concerning is that the subject of happiness is emotional, not in the same sphere as money which is physical and transactional. Of course, there are things money can do that bring happiness to a person. There's that element of some happiness that it brings, but what if the money goes? Happiness should rather be found in God, ourselves and if helpful, valid human relationships.

Image is AI generated.

Thank you for reading!