Growing up, you were probably frequently told by your parents that money can’t buy you happiness – and, even more, as you got a little older, money can’t buy you love (or … even class honestly – I think we have seen plenty of that in recent months) ;)
One thing that hasn’t ever been mentioned though, is that money CAN buy you happiness – but ONLY when spent the right way.
That does not necessarily mean buying the most recent iPhone, new pants, or even a new, flashy car… I always tell my kids that anyone can truly have anything these days. Want to go on vacation? Just go – worry about the cost later. Desire a new car? All it takes is you walking into the dealership and signing off on their contract.
People tend to misjudge their material purchases – they fail to understand what may make them TRULY happy, they misjudge how happy that purchase will make them feel, and how long that perceived happiness will last.
In essence, anyone can truly have anything they want, regardless of the money they don’t have, or the financial situation they wish they were in.
If you spend money correctly, it can truly make you happy ~ it really can. But we aren’t talking about “stuff” .. we’re talking about other things.
1. Experiences vs. Things
Putting your money towards an experience with your family can bring a rather huge emotional reward – more than buying a single item. Obviously it doesn’t take HUGE grandiose experiences to do this ~ we’re not talking about your family of 7 heading down to the Bahamas to stay in a 5-star All Inclusive for 2 weeks on a trip.
ANY amount of money for an experience spent with your family is bound to bring happiness – whether it be $5 or $30 …it doesn’t take a fortune to make your kids smile. Material things can’t buy happiness – they may, however, bring a temporary change in feeling for a short period of time. But after that .. you revert right back to your starting point.
Taking your children out to the farm for the afternoon to pick peaches might just leave a lasting impression of thrill than taking them for a 4-day trip to SeaWorld. Every time they reach for peaches, they will remember the trip they made to the farm to work together and get them off the tree.
2. Things that Interest You
What makes you happy is individual to you – spend money that is dependent on your personality, and you will bring out what authentically makes you happy.
For some, splurging on a $6 pastry brush may sound silly – but for others, this might be just what inspires you to work at cooking up more in your kitchen, making bread from scratch. Or… heading to your local farm each week and spending $25 at the market on fresh, local produce might make you happy – knowing that you have the challenge when you get home of working those items into your weekly meals.
Even just taking a friend out for lunch to a rather simple place might lead to more happiness than splurging on a new $80 pair of jeans, or dropping $200 at Target.
3. How you Spend your Time
How you spend your time also equates to your happiness ~ and that will differ greatly by person. For some, living in a smaller home and earning less may equate to more happiness. Or, for others, moving to an area that’s not so rural but is closer to your work might cost more in terms of a house payment but may equate to greater happiness now that you don’t have to commute in nasty traffic to your job.
In other words, you are using your money to “buy more time” – and that in itself can be a worthy expense.
4. Spending Now for Happiness Later
While saving for the sake of saving might not make you happy, having done that so you can find enjoyment later on IS gratifying.
Not only that, the payoff is HUGE.
Delayed gratification, in the form of practical expenditures like your child’s college fund, your retirement, or, perhaps even your 52 week Savings Challenge might seem like such a nonsense expense at times, that it almost becomes a chore. But when it’s time to spend – ie. when your children start college, you will be thrilled to pieces that you DID put the time and effort in all those years, or months, leading up until that special day.
5. Charity Giving Can Lead to Happiness
Spending can bring happiness if you are spending that money to help influence or benefit others.
Not only that, it makes you feel better about yourself, all the while bringing social benefits, too. Whether youa re tithing at church or, giving your time and money to an organization of value, spending money on others always helps reaffirm our relationships with others.
It makes you look outside the scope of your own life – wants, needs and desires, and places the needs of others above yours for that period of time. Those relationships can bring around a great sense of personal fulfillment and inner happiness.
Money is an opportunity for happiness – YES. But it’s an opportunity that people often times misunderstand – the material things that they think make them happy really don’t ~ but experiences leave a lasting effect that is remembered over time.