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Does money buy happiness?

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Hi @Bkinder... I think in your situation no that money belonging to your father will no...
Yea, I'm trying to think of it as I've never had the money, it was never mine, and I won't miss it. Could have been nice. I have planned to be self-sufficient and independent.....I'm holding onto my self-respect...I think the price of this money pot is too much.....I don't want to lose what shred of humanness I have left.
 
I lost a million dollars once. No one ever believes me when I tell that story because it's one of those ridiculous things that could only happen to me. But it did happen. I've never regretted it though, not even when I was spending years trying to put myself through school with no help and living off student loans and part-time minimum wage work. I guess I was broke, but it never felt like it. I found a home that I thought was beautiful and somehow managed to fill it with beautiful things. Being patient and clever and resourceful can get you a lot. It doesn't take much money to build wonderful things. You just have to be smart about how you use what you have. Even now, when I really am broke because I've been having trouble functioning and I have panic attacks about it every day, I still don't wish I had that money. I just wish I could get out and work and do what I need to do to make happy happen.
 
My soul and integrity is not for sale. Like in your situation.
If I had extra money,, I would feel a lot more secure. I have needs that are not met because I have no extra money. (like dental care, ect)

If I ever did have a ton of money, I would give a lot of it away, to people who struggle just like I do... nope, not worth it to me.
 
Okay, the focus for this thread is: Does money buy happiness? My father, grandpa-napped and being contr...
Yes, I definitely would. I didn't turn my back on a million, but I did turn my back on quite a tidy sum. I did so for reasons that I won't go into, but suffice it to say now that I am poor. I don't own a vehicle, I don't own a TV even. I live in a one bedroom apartment and I am happy. I live a good life. God blesses me daily if not hourly. Money is not everything. I have a roof over my head, enough food to eat, books to read, medical treatment, etc. I have what I NEED. Wants, some of them, are even supplied.
 
I have known so many miserable wealthy/well off people that it isn’t even funny!

Money can buy security, and money can make life easier, but it doesn’t buy happiness per se.

I’ve dated a number of wealthy people, and my most recent ex was quite well off, too. I won’t lie....I was attracted in part to the secure lifestyle that he could give me. It felt safe....until it didn’t and I realized I would have lost too much of myself to fit into his world and what he wanted me to be. (I didn’t date him for his money...none of the guys I’ve ever dated have been for their money. I hope I’m not sounding like a gold digger here because I’m not. God knows I’ve passed over enough wealthy men to show that’s not what I’m after!)

Money will help me ultimately feel secure in life, but it won’t make me happy. I know this....I know a lot of people don’t know this! I’m going back to school next year so that I can build a secure life for myself....but I know that landing a good job and a decent paycheck won’t make me happy. It’s all the other stuff in life that brings happiness....friends, family, having a sense of purpose...
 
Happiness is a state of mind not a state of being. Money does make life easier and can bless one and others but it does not guarantee a happy state of mind. My mom lived for having money. Her striving certainly caused much unhappiness in our lives. It has taken most of my life figuring out that social status, material things, vacations, investments, and such really only dresses up the outer person.. but it does not dress up their inner character. Late in life, we went into financial crisis, because of illnesses and hubby lost momentum in his business. We went from being debt free to losing our retirement home and thousands in debt. We have had to start over in our old age. It is hard but we are still alive and now rent a home, so we have a roof over our heads and we are thankful. Money comes and goes. But it is our attitude toward the struggles we go through that shapes our happiness. Money makes things easier concerning our physical needs and wants but it does not build inner character. If that had been the case, it could have helped to influence my PTSD, depression, and feelings of worthlessness because I would have been able to use it to make myself worthy in the eyes of others. Money would have given me some power in changing me. In spite of being out of debt, I still struggled with suicidal thoughts, depression, bitterness, fear, feeling unwanted and loneliness etc.. Money did nothing to help my mental state of being.
 
I have known so many miserable wealthy/well off people that it isn’t even funny!

Money can bu...
I think you said it-happiness is a state of mind. Today, I had people over for music. The harmony in that group, the awesome sound, working together to create something positive, and the positive goosebump feelings we have when we are together....that is belonging......that is happiness. Visiting my own family who is either indifferent or abusive.....makes me feel like an outsider-one who doesn't and hasn't belonged. I feel different than them. I'm glad I do. You are right...Money can buy life's comforts and even some of life's pleasures, but it can not buy belonging and happiness.
 
One of the final things my dad said was that he'd write me out of the will. I told him I didn't want his money. It wasn't a million dollars, but I've spent more of my life living in poverty, or close to the edge, than probably being financially secure. I know what poverty feels like and I'll echo what some others have said here, it can be hard to be happy when your basic needs aren't being met. Having said that, if it came to a place where I was going to be that poor again, I still wouldn't go back to my dad. Abuse, trauma and regular trigger doesn't bring happiness either. Loss of personal integrity doesn't bring happiness.
 
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