We’ve all heard parents or teachers preach that money can’t buy happiness, but what exactly does debt buy?
Whether you like it or not, money runs the world (sorry Beyoncé). At this point, I already hear people calling me a no-good, greedy capitalist and I’ll take it as a compliment. I don’t view capitalism in the negative connotation that many people seem to perceive it. People hate to admit it, but if they had the same chance to reap in mounds of money, they’d take it in a heartbeat. And anybody who says differently is either lying or a recluse.
Everybody wants money and that’s perfectly acceptable. Non-profit organizations gladly accept contributions, charities allow people to donate, and churches ask for their weekly tithe. Yes, even the house of God remains vulnerable to the power of greenbacks. No matter how honorable or noble an institution may be, it will always be run by money. So we come to the question: Is money the root of all evil? Well, if it is then we’re all going to Hell.
Granted, money can’t buy some things: a loving family and genuine friends. We can attempt to place a value on the people in our lives, but the happiness that they bring us can never be bought.
Wealth doesn’t guarantee a fulfilling life, but how it’s spent can certainly improve it. It’s nice to have material things, but with time they lose their luster. So skip the new car and caviar and spend your hard-earned money on the simpler joys in life.
Here are the happinesses in life that money can buy.
Experiences
According to a survey by a Harvard University psychology professor, 57 percent of respondents reported greater happiness from making experiential purchases as opposed to 34 percent from material purchases.
Plane tickets to Europe, Asia, and South America, the world is open to anybody who’s ready to pay a pretty penny. Traveling the world and experiencing new cultures will last longer than anything you can buy at the mall. Go on a road trip, rent a beach house, go skydiving; spend your money on activities you’ll reminisce upon when you’re older.
College represents one of those experiences. Someone pays for you to attend, so try and make the most of your time. You might not remember every day in college, but you’ll remember the excitement you felt and the friends you made. But don’t forget to study.
Financial security
Debt, the ominous black cloud stalking every college student for four years before it engulfs him or her in an avalanche of bills. Nothing feels more satisfying than earning a respectable wage, paying off those loans, and living debt free.
Having money provides more security than simply eliminating debt. It also provides an air of confidence knowing you can go to any store, buy something off the shelf, and leave without a dent in your checking account.
Prosocial donations
Bill Gates and Warren Buffet pledged to donate a majority of their wealth to charities and asked other billionaires to do the same. But you don’t have to be a billionaire to make contributions to charity. Money can buy a certain kind of bliss that comes from placing your unused wealth into an organization that will put it towards a good cause.
Money goes a long way in leading a happier life, but don’t let it get to your head. There’s no point in living leisurely and splurging your wealth on sybaritic pleasures without having friends and family to share it with.
