[chosen25]

I've been bummed out lately and the main cause is financial...I graduated college a while back (about 6 months) and haven't found any full-time work yet. I work a part-time paying job (barely 20 hours a week) and work for a website ( but don't get paid-although the experience and networking will hopefully work out) I budget to the extreme and just barely am able to pay my bills. With Christmas coming up I can't afford to buy anything for anyone. I want to be able to take a girl out, hang with my friends and go out on my own...but the only thing holding me back is a lack of income. I always hear that money doesn't buy happiness but I think It would make me a lot happier if I had money coming in. I think it definitely makes people happier, or at least makes things a lot less stressful. I just need to vent here...as I'm becoming increasingly depressed at my situation.

[jefftele]

money can't buy happiness thats true but i'd say its better to be depressed and rich , than poor. you may feel stuck at the moment , xmas is not a good time for lots of folk. can you tell folk about your situation ,i've found my real friends don't care if i'm rich or poor, hope your situation changes for you

I hear you sweetie, In the same boat here...but people will understand, it is not about giving...you will not always be in this position, keep your chin up...money certainly isn't everything, you can be happy with money but money wont make you happy....wishing you all the best, Jinnyann xx

[nowheretorun]

imo, money wont buy happiness... it buys things we need, which can provide security.. but even that, money is only a tool... and many security related needs are costless...

[Perna]

It depends on what you want. If you want a car and enough money to buy presents and take a girl out, yes, money can buy that and it sounds like you're doing all the right things, working when/where you can and networking.

Good luck.

[splitimage]

money can't buy happiness but the lack of it can sure cause a lot of complications. i'm sorry that you're not getting more work - could you maybe take another part time job on the side. even if it's not glamourous it could help.

And don't worry about not having money for presents friends and family want to see you. They'll understand.

--splitimage

[Doh2007]

One study found that money buys happiness up to a point. If you're poor then get money, you get lots happier. Once you have enough to meet your needs, more doesn't make you happier.

[coralproper]

Money.............it was my obsession for a good part of my life and I guess since even as far back as a child I worked and seemed to have enough....this did not make me happy...I guess it kept me out of depression though,since I never felt the way people here who are depressed seem to convey

the more I get the more stuff I want...stuff never makes me "happy long" since very shortly I start wanting something else and become obessed with that...

luckly my wife is not like this and try's to stop me..... her and my kids make me "happy"......my since of being is missing and I am "not happy" with myself though...unless I am getting,planning,building something...but when it is done ......I'm back to square one with myself....I just recently bought a forclosed farm house and land...dirt cheap...went in renovated better than new.....added a new 8x30 coverd front porch etc etc...my wife is very happy...cost a fraction of our other house and worth more....but after I was done I started looking at more....she wont leave here though, so I bought a set of prints to build a new one on the back side of the property......am I happy NO...not unless I have a project...mabey this is'nt even being happy,just distracted

When I do build a new one she'll be happy with it though I'm sure
then I can come back to this house, add a spiral staircase into the attic convert the attic into livable space.....then I dont know......mabey I can find a since of well being after that...oh ya...I want to add a small guest house with a loft behind the farm house....then mabey the well being will come...probably not though

other than my wife and kids.....nothing seems to make me truely happy

[1oxbowgirl]

This topic in your post is something I can understand and relate to very easily. Having just spent four years waiting for my diability case to be settled, while living on less then one-hundred dollars a month.
There is no way I am going to tell you that having loads of money buys happiness. However, lack of enough money is not the answer either, but I will add a few suggestions. Instead of going out, if possible invite some friends over who can help with food & drink, and include your girl. Watch a movie or sports game.
There usually are many churches that have some kind of choir singing events this time of year. Most are free or for a small donation. Also if your into art or musems, that is a different sort of date, but it is an interesting one that can be fun. They are not so crowded this time of year.
Another idea is to walk or drive around looking at all the Christmas lights and do window shopping. Then stop in somewhere for coffee or cocoa to warm up.
These are things I have done when money was tight.