[Shangrala]

This is an interesting question.
Personally, I feel that money can buy a tolerable existance. But it cannot buy actual happiness, though that depends on what one believes to be "happiness", as we all have our own perception of the concept.

I imagine, for those materialistically inclined, the illusion of happiness can be obtained through money...but at what cost?...no pun intended.

If I were disgustingly wealthy beyond reasonable comprehension, aside from what I'd already have, I'd most definately share the wealth with those less fortunate.
My first quest would be for the children. Create something that they could enjoy and have access to, such as a park filled with activities of all kinds directed for all ages with an exploratory center, for those with inquisitive minds.
I'd hire a staff to maintain the park, who'd be at the children's disposal for whatever their reason, and who'd be qualified for their care, for those parents who'd need that reassurance.

It seems to me that it's our children who are greatly suffering from all of the "progress" of our society. I see more of a progressive elimination of parks, centers, and social areas designated for children. And for those which do exist are either too far for the kid's to go to on their own, (for those old enough to), or far too expensive to enjoy, or both. As a result, they are left to entertain themselves, and because of boredom its time spent in a negative way, or seclude themselves within home, dedicating their development into Internet, or game consoles.

I can imagine though, that money can and does make those with an abundance of it, miserable. I mean, how can it not? It is a magnet to greed, whether from within or from those seeking a hand out. It seems to draw toward you those who'd otherwise ignore you....suddenly staking claim as being someone who "genuinely cares" for you.

And for those who are kind in heart, such as myself, having extreme wealth would definately be a problem, as I'd be compelled to want to save the universe...if I could.
But then again, I can't help but to wonder.....IF I were so disgustingly wealthy, would I still be the loveable, compassionate, "Merciful Mary" that I have been my entire life?

Opinions welcomed.

Shangrala

[Sabrina]

I must admit to fantasizing about having more money. Who doesn't? My husband and I struggle immensely and live from month to month. But we have such a happy home. We love each other dearly. Our child is happy. He understands the financial difficultly we are living with and doesn't ask for anything we can't afford.
My husband works so very hard and deserves so much more but I love him all the more for trying, even when there is no money to show for his efforts. (He has his own business, and I "work" for him).

I can't imagine being excessively wealthy. I don't know what I would do with all that money. Sure it would make life easier but I wouldn't want to lose the love my household has for all the money in the world.

[50guy]

People that think money dosen't buy happiness.....don't know where to shop.

Personally, I'd rather be misirable in the back of a limosine than happy on a bicycle.

[Puffyprue]

i think its depending on what happines means to you ..and i also believe every person are different ..with me i will say big NO... For me, money can't buy happiness, it can buy things that make us feel happy for a short time...Happiness comes from being loved and loving others, having good friends, supportive families, and having good health, Happiness comes from the heart, not the wallet...
but thats just my opinion and based on my experience ...i've seen people who extremely poor but they so happy and have loving family ...and when they laugh it something will make you jelous coz it feels like they have nothing to worry about...wealthy people tend to worried a lot...and never satisfied...

[paddym22]

Wealth = Misery

[Sabrina]

(((Paddy)))

[Yoda]

Anybody who thinks money can't buy happiness doesn't know where to buy a horse.

[Shangrala]

Originally Posted by paddym22

Wealth = Misery

Endless huggles, Paddy. I know you're going through some rough times as a result of situations.


Shangrala

Money can buy things that temporarily make us happy, but it's a hollow, empty happiness. The world is too bent on greed and money as it is.

No matter what amazing, expensive gadgets I surround myself with, it won't really make me happy. The people I could attract to my side with money wouldn't be real friends. Wealth doesn't equal true happiness.

[Shangrala]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Anybody who thinks money can't buy happiness doesn't know where to buy a horse.

I love your pony!! I'm so jealous.

[lynn P.]

Interesting question - I think money can bring comfort in the sense you're not struggling to put food on the table and it can buy temporary happiness. I don't don't think it's guaranteed to make you happy in the real sense. I think winning a large amount of money brings happiness intially but later it can bring alot of misery -from friends and relatives thinking they're entitled to some of the money.

I want to share a cute story. We're really struggling right now even though we live in a $350,000 house and I drive a Hummer. Our business is struggling because the economy is down and we're living month to month, barely able to pay our mortgage. Every year the school has a book fair, where you can buy your child books - we usually spend $80.00 or more. I told my daughter that because things are tight she can only spend $10.00 and we put it in a bag for next week. Yesterday I ran out of dog food and didn't even have $10.00 to buy the food. A few minutes later my 7 yr old said "here Mommy take my $10.00 and buy Bella her food". I told her that I would replace it for her next week. A short time afterwards, I saw her crying and I asked her why and she said "I don't know if I should buy a book next week, since we don't have alot of money right now". I told her that because she was thinking so kindly and being so considerate, that she deserved more than anything to have that book.

I have a friend of the family who won a million 3 yrs ago and he might be more comfortable but I don't think he's happier.

[Sabrina]

Aww Lynn, that story was, well, priceless!! You have a wonderful family!

money buys food electric, health ins. roofs over our heads cars.
It also depends on what ppl do with it
It can be used for good. Many charitys thats how they work.
It can be used to restore to ppl thier homes
It can be used to open camps for kids
Many times money is used to give ppl health in thier lifes

...does it but happiness my answer is no ...happiness comes from with in the person.
thier soul , thier heart, thier being...
may all know i care and you matter

[VickiesPath]

Money may not buy happiness but you can live in misery on the best side of town.

Money may not buy happiness, but I'd like just enough to have some peace of mind.

[Michah]

I grew up with money......

But it didn't take the violence, the fear, the terror of my childhood away.....

I went to the best schools, had the best clothes.....but I still didn't have any friends......

Then, all the money was gone in a 4 year divorce and a bankruptcy due to mismanagement.......

And I grew up with wealthy children from other families with a gross sense of "entitlement".

So, money didn't protect me, money is transient, money is a means to an end.

My philosophy......if you do something you love and get paid well for it......excellent. If not.......just live and love anyway.......money is not the path to love.......it is the path to paying the bills.

And I have lived with no money......on welfare and mentally ill......and my boy is well adjusted, my family is intact and I have a healthy veiw of money.......

When I look at my friends with money.......the underlying theme?.......is that it is never enough

Money and I........have a strange and suspicious relationship.......

In stillness,

Michah

[jerrymichele]

I really think that it depends on the person. I come from a half and half family. lol, my dad side has the money, and my mom side doesn't. I grew up very poor. My mom and dad were constantly fighting, and as a result my sister, and I paid the consequences. I do have a aunt on my mom's side that does have things, and in a sense it has gone to their heads. (kids, husband). My sister thinks her identify is threw money. She gets off on someone else's misery. Meaning she doesn't want anyone to have more then her. She will hurt you just to out due the next person. As a result from her choices, she has suffered the consequences with loosing some very important people in her life. I have meet people with money, and they can be nice, just like a poor person can be nice. It is really on who the person is. A bigger bank account doesn't mean they have a better life. They might have more things, but that's all they have. Personally I'm happy in my life. I don't have the best of everything, but I'm not struggling either. I have been lost things before threw tough times. I'm just happy that everything is being paid. I rather be poor and happy, then rich with always worrying about something.

[Luce]

Money can bring financial security, but 'happiness' involves far more than that. Self acceptance, self-esteem, personal fulfilment, positive relationships with others, and emotional and physical health all contribute enormously to 'happiness'.

There are many wealthy people who are desperately unhappy, and many who live in poverty who would class themselves as 'happy' (myself included). The inverse is equally true. My point is, I don't think happiness cannot be attributed to any one factor, such as wealth, although I can't argue the fact that financial security would sure as heck make life a lot easier!

[50guy]

OK, I like a lot of these posts but, I have been rich and I have been poor, rich is better. I can't remember who said it but, it is true to me. I had a lot of money at one time in my life. Literally, millions of dollars have passed through my hands. I been down but never out. I was homeless, jobless, and broke twice in my life. I pulled myself up from the bootstraps and I am happier now than I was then. It depends on whatever your circumstances are at the time in your life. One quotation I always remember is "money answereth all things." Some say money is the root of all evil, that is wrong, the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. I like what money can do for me and others. One survey reported that people that have money do one thing better than those that don't have money...that is they sleep better.

Imagine not having to worry about the bills or, budgeting to go out and eat, that's real living. I lived it and now I'm in a tight financial situation. Lost a lot in the stock market, overspent on housing and now can't sell it. I'm not broke but, I am badly bent I think happiness is a state of mind. I am happy when I have money.

Did you know that the United States has developed a weapon that destroys people but leaves the buildings standing. It's called the stock market.

Anyway, great topic and don't take life tooo seriously....we'll never get out of it alive.

Eric

[Elysium]

I think it would depend on whether your money works for you or you work for your money.

I've met many people who are financially wealthy and miserable, and I have met many homeless people that were content with what they called a simplistic lifestyle.

If you utilize your money to acquire things such as animals, a home for your family, or to raise your family, or whatever lights up your soul and you find happiness and joy, then you are rich. But at the same time, money can buy a lot of shiny crap that, at the end of the day means nothing.

What else I know....The more money I make, the more people there are that want it.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Elysium3006

If you utilize your money to acquire things such as animals, a home for your family, or to raise your family, or whatever lights up your soul and you find happiness and joy, then you are rich.

All Hail, Elysium, the wise one.

(And your story about your dog and daughter made me cry. You are raising a good daughter).

Originally Posted by Shangrala

I love your pony!! I'm so jealous.

If you ever get the chance stop by on your visit to the east coast. Bring your parrot and I will feed him nuts while you feed my horse fruit. I have not yet found a fruit he doesn't like.

My horse is my best friend on the good days and my only friend on the bad days.

This evening he dribbled grain on my shirt with big sighs. He is content. And being with him makes me content. When I was again battered and hurt I would walk to the barn and put my chair in his stall and sit quietly and he stood beside me with his head in my lap. I am struggling to meet my financial survival but there is not a happier person on this earth today than me standing this evening with my arms around Dusty's neck with my face buried in his black mane and red fur. I love the way he smells. I am so lucky to be alive today. When I am gone you can say, Yoda lived a happy life because she had Dusty.

[nowheretorun]

ive been with and without... i can tell you, on those days that i didnt have a fancy house, fancy car, fancy girlfriend, fancy clothes, fancy anything.... a good sandwich and a kind friend made all the difference

very true ...........friends can make all the difference

[seeker1950]

I happened upon a TV program entitled "Cursed," about people who had won the Powerball. The first segment was about Jack Whittaker, who won the $300+ Powerball. (He is here in WV where I am located.) Needless to say, he went wild, getting in and out of trouble, being robbed at the "Pink Pony" strip club. His granddaughter's boyfriend was found dead from a drug overdose, then later her body was found near a dumpster. His own daughter killed herself. His wife, who divorced him, said if she had known the heartache they would experience, she would have torn up the ticket.

That said, it seems obvious that these people lacked any moral foundation, but who knows how such unexpected wealth would affect us?
Personally, I would help many people.
Patty

[KathyM]

I woke up the other day to a strange tapping sound. I rolled over into a puddle, looked up and saw a steady drip coming from my ceiling, the ceiling bowed. It was raining on my BED! My husband was able to stop the leak, but he fell off the roof before he could finish the job. He now has a torn tendon in his shoulder. The ceiling is fragile and cracked to begin with, and I fear the furnace in the attic will come crashing down on me one day. The only way to fix this old house is to tear it down and start over.

If I found myself wealthy, I'd probably tear down this house and build one that didn't scare me. I'd still go with small and simple because that's what I've always preferred. I've never been impressed with luxury, and I don't value "things." I don't need all the extras - I only want enough.

As for the rest of the money, I'd use it to anonymously help people. It would be SO MUCH fun to provide for someone in need without them knowing my identity. They wouldn't feel like a charity case or dependent on me. They could hold their heads high knowing someone out there loves them.