Can money really buy happiness?
I never thought that was the case especially after considering all of the wealthy actors, actresses or businessmen and businesswomen that go absolutely insane and fall into deep depressions because they are overwhelmed with money.
I also don’t think that material possessions will satisfy you completely to fill your personal happiness bubble, at least not in the long run most likely for a couple of minutes or hours. But all in all I never believed material goods give ultimate happiness because human nature has shown us that whenever we buy something, we have it, and we want more.
Well I came across an interesting interview with a Harvard Business School professor, Michael Norton who thinks otherwise and co-wrote an entire book saying so; it goes by the name of, Happy Money; The Science of Smart Spending.
This money spending guru believes we tend to make purchase decisions that will negate our happiness as opposed to increasing it for instance we buy a designer piece of furniture that we adore at the time but will only end up collecting dust in our humble abodes.
He also mentions the fact that we live in a society where speed is a dominant factor. With the increase in technological advancements, we constantly want everything to be done quickly with next-day shipping, quick Internet purchase decisions, and fast downloads.
Norton believes we will be happier with spending our money by taking the time and waiting. I do believe he makes a valid point; however, as creatures of habit, I don’t think this idea is very feasible for everyone or rather not as easy as we’d like to think.
Some tips that he states include pay for something in advance, as opposed to charging it on a credit card, and wait for it. Also, make things feel like ‘treats’ by taking a break from your daily mocha latte, Frappuccino, or guilty pleasure for a week and the day you try it again you’ll feel a lot happier knowing you are in control and are treating yourself.
Norton brings up bunch of interesting pointers where money can actually buy us happiness. Simply put, “absence makes the heart grow fonder” and happier.
