8 ways money can buy you happiness
Find out eight ways that money really can buy you meaningful happiness.
We all know the old saying, but Reuters columnist Linda Stern shares eight ways that money really can buy you meaningful happiness.
We all know the old saying, but Reuters columnist Linda Stern shares eight ways that money really can buy you meaningful happiness.
8. Buy Time
How much time do you spend arguing over cleaning or mowing the lawn or other chores? Hire a maid or a groundskeeper and spend that extra time doing something meaningful.
7. Donate to a small and/or local charity
Tons of research shows that spending money on others, and doing good with it, makes people feel good. Seeing the benefits of that money in your community is even better.
6. Spend money on systems
Having control over your life provides a huge happiness boost. Sometimes, it's just having the right calendar, contact manager or computer backup system.
5. Buy a scrapbook or journal
"Savoring" a good experience by writing about it, thinking about it or even posting your pictures on Facebook actually increases your enjoyment, Stern writes.
4. Buy a treadmill, a jump rope or even some sneakers
It doesn't have to be the latest high tech gear, but anything that gets you moving stimulates endorphins and elevates your mood.
3. Buy tools and supplies for a hobby
Whether it's art or photography or even canning jam, becoming so engrossed in an activity that you lose track of time is called a state of "flow" and is associated with a higher level of life satisfaction.
2. Go on vacation
There's lot of research behind the idea that experiences are worth more, in terms of happiness, than things. Take a special trip and use up that PTO at work.
1. Fund a group activity
Family, friends and community connections are the most highly correlated factors to living a satisfied life, whether that means joining a church or doing family or community potluck dinners.
Read Stern's article in full here.
