Money Can't Buy Love - But It Can Buy Happiness

[chanel]

People say money doesn't buy happiness. Except, according to a new study from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School, it sort of does — up to about $75,000 a year. The lower a person's annual income falls below that benchmark, the unhappier he or she feels. But no matter how much more than $75,000 people make, they don't report any greater degree of happiness.

The study doesn't say why $75,000 is the benchmark, but "it does seem to me a plausible number at which people would think money is not an issue," says Deaton. At that level, people probably have enough expendable cash to do things that make them feel good, like going out with friends. (The federal poverty level for a family of four, by the way, is $22,050.)

But in the bigger view of their lives, people's evaluations were much more tied to their income. The more they made, the more they felt their life was going well. The survey asked respondents to place themselves on a life-satisfaction ladder, with the first rung meaning their lives were not going well and the 10th rung meaning it was as good as it could be. The higher their income, the higher the rung people chose.

Read more: Study: Money Buys Happiness When Income Is $75,000 - TIME

Comments?

 

[Big Black Dog]

Over at the local truck stop, you can buy a half-hour's worth of love for just $20.00.

 

[Lasher]

Over at the local truck stop, you can buy a half-hour's worth of love for just $20.00.

How do you know that?

 

[California Girl]

Money doesn't buy happiness, but I don't object to being miserable in comfort.

 

[007]

Over at the local truck stop, you can buy a half-hour's worth of love for just $20.00.

You like the lot lizards aye...

 

[Madeline]

IME, money does not buy happiness...but a shortage of money ensures unhappiness.