Money Can ('t) Buy Happiness

        “Money can’t buy happiness”. Oh yes, it certainly can. But don’t run out and buy a new car or new phone and so on. That happiness disappears faster than it lasts especially considering the better model will be out in a couple months and you might want that too. Spoiling yourself with materialistic items to provide happiness has a shelf life, just like all your purchases. Eventually the happiness dissipates and you want more or new. Products cease to be able to provide long term satisfaction – they’re not built that way. However, according to TedTalks, there is another way to “buy happiness”. And apparently this one works. Essentially spending money on others is an act that is internally quite rewarding. I don’t doubt it. Whether that happiness is derived from doing something you don’t normally do, a confidence boost, or because you know you made someone’s day – it’s there. For some reason it’s just difficult to reach that happiness – in other words, money is important to us, and spending it on others is a stretch at best. Money is fragile since so much of our lives seem to depend solely on how much we have and how we spend it. The suggestion is not to go broke off buying things for other people – you may not receive as much satisfaction from that – or maybe you will, who knows. The suggestion is to make more of a gesture of kindness towards others and you can use you money. Whether you’re spending on yourself or others moderation must be taken into careful consideration. Essentially, money can buy happiness, but you won’t be receiving things in the process.