We have all heard the maxim, “money can’t buy happiness”, I am sure. When you hear the saying, things such as peace, love, a happy family, happiness, health, comes to mind, doesn’t it? There are some things that money can’t buy.
We all know that. However, I also know that with money, you can purchase some things that can make you happy. Let me qualify what I am saying so there’s no misinterpretation here. I’m not saying that you can’t be happy if you don’t have a lot of money.
I am also not saying that more money necessarily equates to more happiness. Simply having more money doesn’t necessarily make you happier, it’s how you spend it that contributes to your level of happiness.
The idea that money can’t buy happiness is interesting. Try saying that to someone who doesn’t know where the next rent will come from.
It is plain logic that having money will relieve you of the stress that comes from not knowing how you are going to pay your children’s school fees, how to put food on your table or pay medical bills. Sure you can agree with me that those are not happy feelings.
Today, I am sharing a few ways money can buy happiness. These ideas are a combination of what I read from other articles and books based on research, as well as a few discoveries of my own through personal experience.
These ideas are not exhaustive but for the sake of brevity, we’ll just stick to a few points.
Here you go:-
Buy knowledge
In the bible, we learn that ‘people perish for lack of knowledge’. When you have knowledge, you are able to make better decisions and this leads to less stress and allows you to be healthier.
Did you know that stress is a major cause of ill health? So spend some money on knowledge. Whether in a classroom, in a book or an educational CD, knowledge will enhance the quality of your life.
Buy good health
Most of the topics (if not all) I write about are to show you how you can improve your quality of life. In many ways, health has a lot to do with lifestyle.
You are going to spend your money on something so why not spend it on what will improve your life?
If you think it is not important or too expensive, try spending it on diabetes, heart disease or a number of other diseases that can be controlled, reversed or prevented altogether through diet.
Proper diet, access to clean water, exercise and regular checkups are some of the things that can improve the quality of your life. It will also reduce your worries and ultimately increase your happiness and longevity.
Buy simple pleasures
What moments or things do I consider simple pleasures? When I have time to spare, there is nothing I find more pleasurable than curling up in a soft cozy sofa with a nice book and a cup of tea with sweet treats to nibble on.
I don’t know about you, but that is my definition of a simple pleasure. Whether it’s spending money on a spa pedicure, a massage, a nice dinner in a restaurant, an afternoon of reading or splurging on ingredients for that meal you’ve been dreaming about. Why not?
Let’s not make the pursuit of happiness too complicated or expensive than it needs to be.
You may not have money for a Gucci watch, Louboutin heels or a Coach bag, but there are simpler and inexpensive ways you can ‘buy’ happiness. Something to think about.
So, do I think that money can buy happiness? Of course, I understand the basis of the idea that money can’t buy you happiness, but the truth of the matter is that the absence of it doesn’t make you happy either.
If you want money to buy happiness, then the secret lies in making wise decisions about how you spend it.
It’s not about getting more but about converting the money you have into ‘happy’ money. Nothing wrong with exchanging one currency for another is there?
Money for Happiness. At the end of the day, happiness is still a choice and based solely on your decision to be happy. This may be one of the most important life lessons any of us could ever learn.
Have a safe and happy weekend.
The writer is the author, of The Seduction of Food
