No, it's not a click-bait title - in a recent
article published by Times Magazine it has been shown there is a correlation to
happiness and money. But, once we break it down why that is the case, the
concept may not be embodied in the way that society often portrays the access
to greater money to obtain greater happiness.
Times Magazine detailed that "money can help
you find more happiness, so long as you know just what you can and can't expect
from it." (Times Magazine, "Science of Happiness" Page 52) To do
just that we broke down the specifics on how you can have happier spending.
Four Rules for Happier Spending:
1.
Access your "money bliss"
"If you want to know how to use the money you have to become happier, you need to understand just what it is that brings you happiness in the first place.. Friends and family are a mighty elixir. One secret of happiness? People." (Page 54) Once you identify the source of your happiness you can see how using your resources can fuel that area of your life.
"If you want to know how to use the money you have to become happier, you need to understand just what it is that brings you happiness in the first place.. Friends and family are a mighty elixir. One secret of happiness? People." (Page 54) Once you identify the source of your happiness you can see how using your resources can fuel that area of your life.
2.
Be slow to judge
"Your penchant for comparing yourself with the guy next door seems to be a deeply rooted human trait." (Page 55) But, a wise person once said that "materialism seems to begin where your income ends." If you find yourself judging someone who has more financial accrual for their choices, slow down. Keep your thoughts in your own lane and don't worry about the grass being greener on the other side.
"Your penchant for comparing yourself with the guy next door seems to be a deeply rooted human trait." (Page 55) But, a wise person once said that "materialism seems to begin where your income ends." If you find yourself judging someone who has more financial accrual for their choices, slow down. Keep your thoughts in your own lane and don't worry about the grass being greener on the other side.
3.
More isn't always better
"Global happiness readings routinely show that the richest countries are not the happiest and, in fact, some poor ones land near the top. So, countries such as Costa Rica and Vietnam outscore Japan and the U.S." (Page 57) It seems a predominantly Western ideology that bigger is better, but if you can practice gratitude for what is currently in your hand you can access a deeper happiness.
"Global happiness readings routinely show that the richest countries are not the happiest and, in fact, some poor ones land near the top. So, countries such as Costa Rica and Vietnam outscore Japan and the U.S." (Page 57) It seems a predominantly Western ideology that bigger is better, but if you can practice gratitude for what is currently in your hand you can access a deeper happiness.
4.
Spend it on someone else
"Giving provides innate pleasure, as shown in one study in which 2-year-olds were happier giving away Goldfish crackers from their own stash than from someone else's pile." (Page 57) What from your own "Goldfish" pile can you give away to people? You may be surprised how it ends up making your own day.
"Giving provides innate pleasure, as shown in one study in which 2-year-olds were happier giving away Goldfish crackers from their own stash than from someone else's pile." (Page 57) What from your own "Goldfish" pile can you give away to people? You may be surprised how it ends up making your own day.
If you'd like to continue this discussion on some
healthy practices and attachments to money, feel free to reach out to me for an
appointment. You can either email me at leemiller.therapist@gmail.com or call
my office at (310) 614-0323.
