Can money buy happiness?

Brothers of Briar

Help Support Brothers of Briar:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Aussiemike

Aussiemike

Well-known member
B of B Supporter
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Messages
854
Reaction score
2,481
Location
Queensland, Australia
I am definitely not well off by any means but I am really,really happy. I wish to be rich, but wonder if it would be just too much of an effort and a change in my life that I don't really want if I was to become mega rich.
Just a silly conundrum and a post to spark a conversation.
 
I look at money and net worth as a means to an end. It's value is based on belief in my opinion and it's value can disappear due to unforseen circumstances local, national, or international. The important things are friends, family and developing the ability to survive and thrive without the aid of civilization.
 
My wife and I agree that the value of money is the good it could do for others less fortunate. Amassing a fortune for the sake of having it is not something we care about. Having enough to eliminate worries about day-to-day things like health care, unforeseen expenses, etc. is important; the rest is just fluff if you don't use it to do good. JMO.
 
Wealth can be measured in different ways. Not sure what it means to be "well off". We have a nice home, enough wherewithal to pay our bills, even with the inflation, and don't owe anybody. Home and cars all paid for, have enough to handle emergencies, like the water leak we discovered a few weeks ago that is going to cost around 2K to fix. Like Bali and Idle, I measure our wealth by the amount of happiness in our life. Our dogs, our horses, our friends. We are frugal, but pretty much do what we want. Like Idle, having a ton of money in the bank just to say we have it doesn't mean much to us. Nice to have enough to feel secure and comfortable but beyond that we give most of it away to others. We support charitable organizations, like T2T and St. Judges, plus local charities. If I was a millionaire or billionaire I would give most of it, if not all, to help others. I sometimes do that now, in small ways, like leaving a $100 tip to a hardworking elderly waitress in a diner. So money doesn't buy happiness but it can relieve misery for some, which is mostly what it's good for. YMMV.
 
I've found money is a mindset as much as math or score card. My family talked about money all the time, nonstop, and associated it with everything. From my grandparents downward. My grandfather used to hand me a $1 bill, and before he let go of it, he would say, "Don't spend it on records." See, I was a music fanatic from as long as I can remember. I didn't really buy or want that many toys. I wanted records and music. Blank tapes to record the radio. Music music music. He wanted me to start saving my money so I could buy a car...because for him, the gauge of success was a new car. On his death bed, one of the last conversations he had was about how many new cars he'd owned in his life. I think it was 17? But money money money all the time. Sweating the small stuff. Driving around for a half hour to save $.02/g on gas. I can't remember a single conversation about happiness or satisfaction or service to others. "can you make money doing that?" I don't think this is uncommon, but beating the metric of money into someone from their beginnings makes them always worry about money. Even if they have it...even if they have enough...even when buying a cup of coffee, there's guilt and hesitation involved. Nobody in my family was ever destitute or had uncommon money problems, but they perpetually acted like they weren't going to be able to eat or heat the house. I've always greatly envied the people who have nothing, living pay check to pay check, but also who never think twice about spending $12 on a coffee and candybar at the gas station on the way to work. They don't worry about money at all. It's not something I can do. While I'm very responsible with money and have never really wanted for much, never late on a payment, etc; I also have never been able to fully enjoy the small things in life. As silly as it sounds, I think I'd feel wealthy if I could be out with friends, buy a cup of coffee for some absurd price, and never think about it. For me, wealth would indicate that I don't think about money at all. I would just use it to enjoy my life. I'm a frugal person. I'm a minimalist at heart. I don't want money to live an opulent lifestyle. I'd just love to know what it is like to spend money while also having peace of mind in the small pleasures conveniences of life. Those people who live pay check to pay check, never thinking about money...they're wealthy to me. If money is this giant, ever-present burden, you're living poorly.
 
Aussiemike broached a wonderful question we all should consider. I've had a bit of a rough start in life (last polio epidemic to hit the U.S., couple years in an iron lung, wheelchair, crutches and 11 major reconstructive surgeries throughout my childhood) but had loving and supportive parents, good friends, and the ability to travel the world. And serendipity; I can't say how hard I worked (or didn't work?) throughout life but wonderful things just seemed to fall in my lap, (and I'm not referencing the stripper that landed there years ago, that's for another post). Now in my 70s, I'm very comfortable in my skin.
 
Thirty years ago I was homeless and penniless. I’m not talking about couch surfing with friends homeless, I’m talking about sleeping under an overpass homeless - should be dead homeless. Well, I got tired of all that mess, and of watching friends die or go to prison, and decided to make something of myself.

Now I have the family I wanted, and all the things, and I am happier. Not happier because of comforts or balance sheets but happy because I have gotten the things done which mattered most to me. My priorities, my focus, was a little different than some, but I got the things done I wanted with zero assistance - no handouts or inheritance. I did it my way.
 
Niblick said:

Can money buy happiness?​


No, but it can buy you a boat!
Click to expand...
That comment really resonates with me Nib and defiantly with this champion. His first comment was to buy a new boat :LOL: legend



A 19-year-old Katherine man has snagged the catch of a lifetime, reeling in the Northern Territory’s prized million-dollar barra during Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish, sponsored by Sportsbet.

Keegan Payne was on a fishing trip with one of his sisters and a friend in the early hours of Sunday morning at Katherine River when he reeled in the fish, calling the hotline at 1am.

Keegan has now won $1 million from Sportsbet as part of the competition.

“This is crazy for us, we’re a big family, there’s eight of us. This is more money than we could ever ask for. This is just great.

“It means so much. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. I’m happy, really happy. I can buy what I want, maybe help dad and mum out with the home loans.”

The prized barra was released into Top End waters as part of Australia’s richest fishing competition. Each season the competition sees more than a hundred red-tagged fish released in Darwin, Katherine, Arnhem Land, Tiwi Islands and Kakadu waterways. Some are worth a million dollars while the rest are worth $10,000.

NT Major Events Company CEO Suzana Bishop said an event like this, now in it’s ninth season, is such a fantastic opportunity for locals and visitors to spend time in the great outdoors of the Territory.

“The Million Dollar barra has become one of our greatest ambassadors and we are so happy and excited for Keegan and his family,” Ms Bishop said.

“The Territory is the best place for fishos and it’s fitting that a local has reeled in the biggest catch going around – the Million Dollar Fish.

“The figures speak for themselves, with more than 60,000 registrations to be part of Season 9 of Million Dollar Fish, from all corners of the country and even overseas. We can’t wait to see what Season 10 will bring.”

As well as making someone a millionaire, Season 9 has seen eight fishos share in $10,000, so far by catching $10,000 fish, one fisho won a Double the Dough. Scores of people have also won prizes through the monthly Lucky Prize Pool draw.

Since the competition began in 2015, Sportsbet has given away $1,015,000 in prize money, generated over $70m in extra spend in the NT in 2023 and attracted more than 10,000 visitors.

Charities have also benefited, with Sportsbet paying $1,000 to the fisho’s Million Dollar Fish charity partner of choice every time a $10,000 fish is caught. Because Keegan caught a million-dollar barra, he will be able to donate $10,000 to the Cancer Council.

Season 9 will end at 11.59pm on Tuesday, 30 April, 2024. All red-tagged fish will cease to be active. Season 10 will return. Join our mailing list to find out more.







https://fb.watch/tbHsaTTsug/





https://milliondollarfish.com.au/
 
Last edited:
When I was a young teen, my uncle offered to pay me a small wage to help with his car repair business (sweeping up, removing trash, ensuring tools went back in their place): Money will not buy you happiness, but it can rent it for a short while.
 
Zeno Marx said:
I've found money is a mindset as much as math or score card. My family talked about money all the time, nonstop, and associated it with everything. From my grandparents downward. My grandfather used to hand me a $1 bill, and before he let go of it, he would say, "Don't spend it on records." See, I was a music fanatic from as long as I can remember. I didn't really buy or want that many toys. I wanted records and music. Blank tapes to record the radio. Music music music. He wanted me to start saving my money so I could buy a car...because for him, the gauge of success was a new car. On his death bed, one of the last conversations he had was about how many new cars he'd owned in his life. I think it was 17? But money money money all the time. Sweating the small stuff. Driving around for a half hour to save $.02/g on gas. I can't remember a single conversation about happiness or satisfaction or service to others. "can you make money doing that?" I don't think this is uncommon, but beating the metric of money into someone from their beginnings makes them always worry about money. Even if they have it...even if they have enough...even when buying a cup of coffee, there's guilt and hesitation involved. Nobody in my family was ever destitute or had uncommon money problems, but they perpetually acted like they weren't going to be able to eat or heat the house. I've always greatly envied the people who have nothing, living pay check to pay check, but also who never think twice about spending $12 on a coffee and candybar at the gas station on the way to work. They don't worry about money at all. It's not something I can do. While I'm very responsible with money and have never really wanted for much, never late on a payment, etc; I also have never been able to fully enjoy the small things in life. As silly as it sounds, I think I'd feel wealthy if I could be out with friends, buy a cup of coffee for some absurd price, and never think about it. For me, wealth would indicate that I don't think about money at all. I would just use it to enjoy my life. I'm a frugal person. I'm a minimalist at heart. I don't want money to live an opulent lifestyle. I'd just love to know what it is like to spend money while also having peace of mind in the small pleasures conveniences of life. Those people who live pay check to pay check, never thinking about money...they're wealthy to me. If money is this giant, ever-present burden, you're living poorly.
Click to expand...
Zeno I read your posts over and over to really appreciate your wise words not because it is not coherent its just my slow brain needs to acknowledge it. I love your words mate so true. I had a good mate that died from melangacotil years ago he had wife and twins it was so sad. But while i was in my early 20s I was pining over to buy an XR400 honda and I remember his words "JUST DO IT, LONG TIME PUSHING THEM DAISEY UP"!!
And I did it, and went onto doing and competing on 2 day enduros and was a huge positive part of my life.
I told a mate last year I really feel like I have done everything and get very little joy from life because of it. That sounds dicky but I have done a lot of stuff. And really miss the old days and told him that.
He said a great sentence to me "well you will just have to make new great memories"
I haven't really made any new wild memories but from what he said I do live in hope (y) What anyone that reads this needs to know the world would not be as good without out you in it! :)(y)
 
Top