There’s this belief out there, shared by many people, that money does not in fact equal happiness.  I even used to share the same conviction.  However, after some recent ruminating, I’ve discovered that yes, however unfortunate it may be, money does have a direct and indirect impact on happiness.

Now, before you start hurling insults and labels at me like, “You materialistic gold digger,” let me explain.  

HEALTH

I think everyone would agree that being healthy is one of the biggest indicators of happiness.  If I am in good shape, don’t have any major illnesses or ailments, and eat well, that would certainly help me to be happy.  Just as being in severe pain or obese could easily push me towards being unhappy.  Well, in this case, money definitely plays a role.  With money I can buy healthier food, pay for better medicine, live in a healthier environment even.  Take a simple example of the people in Guatemala who are forced to cook with firewood in their homes, without the smoke ever escaping.  They don’t do this for any other reason than they can’t afford a better stove.  And, in the process, thousands of children and women die every year because of respiratory problems.  With more money, they could buy better stoves, be healthier, and be happier.

SAFETY

Especially nowadays, safety is a huge indicator of happiness.  If I fear being shot, robbed, or assaulted everywhere I go, it’s going to be difficult finding peace of mind.  But if you look at the wealthiest countries in the world, or even the wealthiest areas of a city, typically they are the safest.  The inverse is true as well.  The poorest areas are often the most dangerous.  Once again, money itself isn’t making people happy, but it certainly is purchasing things which make it easier to escape suffering.  

EDUCATION

Education should be provided at a high level to everyone, but it isn’t.  Whether it’s the best universities or the best schools, they are often extremely expensive.  And, no one can argue that the more educated you are, the more you’ll understand about the world, and the more you’ll be able to do.  If I can speak three languages, use computers, sing, play a sport, read and write powerfully, and travel the world, then I’m going to have a much easier time finding happiness.  Once again, money enables these things to be possible.  

I could go on and on, but the sad reality is that money does play a role in happiness.  Without a doubt happiness can and should be found in the simplest of tasks each day:  the waking up of a child, a hello from a friend, the taste of a familiar food.  So even the poorest among us can find happiness each and every day, just as the wealthiest among us lose perspective and suffer far more.  In general though, I don’t know many people who wouldn’t want HEALTH, SAFETY, and QUALITY EDUCATION.  All things which money DEFINITELY CAN BUY.