The relationship between money and happiness is one that has been debated probably for centuries. According to recent studies, yes, money can buy happiness. Apparently, spending money does, in fact, boost your happiness. If your money is spent in a way that is congruent with your personality and stimulates dopamine. According to Her Money, a public online editorial, researchers assessed 76,000 bank transaction records, examining what people spent their money on — either material objects or experiences, and the results were stunning. A study from Yale University and the University of Cambridge found that it is possible to be considered “happier”, meaning to have chemical reactions that increase natural amounts endorphins and dopamine, when we spend our money on things that bring us joy. (Related: What is Wealth?)

The bottom line is that happiness resides not in possessions, but instead, happiness dwells in the soul.

Whether we are spending money on our schooling, aiding a local charity or splurging on a designer piece. The study rated the participants’ satisfaction with their purchases in relation to their personalities. The study used distinct characteristics: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism, to determine if one’s spending habits matched their personality. The results showed that spending money on other people will make you happier than spending just on yourself. What they discovered may have revived hope in humanity for all pessimists. People that were naturally happy and giving, became happier and more benevolent with more money. This pattern was the same for people who were found to be more negative and pessimistic. Thankfully, more people were happier to give and help, spending their money on things that genuinely increased the quality of their life and those of others.  In other words, money emphasizes your personality. (Related: The Taboo “F” Word)

The bottom line is that happiness resides not in possessions, but instead, happiness dwells in the soul. Our natural predisposition determines what happiness money is truly creating. If we lack joy in our hearts prior to having money, and are generally negative people, we are more likely to be more negative with money – generally.  After all, some may believe that money can't buy happiness because the things that bring long-term satisfaction and contentment cannot be bought. Others may think otherwise. The point remains that it is all based on our nature. (Related: Young Adults Should Invest Into Things That Provide Long Term Happiness)

Source: Her Money
Link: https://www.hermoney.com/save/banking/how-to-buy-happiness/

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