Four Real Ways Money Can Buy Happiness

We’ve all heard that money can’t buy happiness. The material things of the world can bring temporary feelings of excitement and joy, but if you don’t possess an internal attitude geared towards being happy, those feelings won’t last. Perhaps happiness itself is a personal decision that can generally be upheld regardless of external influence. But in my experience, money can definitely affect how you feel in the moment and over the long term. And while money is often seen as an enemy to happiness, here are four real ways money can make you happier.

1. You Can Give Money To Others

One of the best things you can do with money is give it away. Yes, it’s counterintuitive, but giving away money might actually bring more happiness than earning the money in the first place. You’ll have to decide for yourself what level of giving you want to participate in, but it could be as simple as paying for a friend’s lunch. Even little acts of service and kindness will go a long way towards building your personal happiness.

Another benefit of giving money is the creation of a healthier attitude towards money in general. You can cultivate a habit of giving and an understanding that more money will come. Indeed, many books and thinkers speaking about the idea of the law of attraction^[1] claim that giving away money will help you make more money since you are constantly projecting a feeling of abundance and wealth. An attitude of abundance and giving can prevent selfishness and the negative feelings that come with it.

2. You Can Provide For Your Basic Needs

There is a difference between buying a steak and buying a can of beans, just like there is a difference between buying a Ferrari and buying a beat-up Honda Civic. While luxury purchases might bring incremental happiness, your quality of life and happiness levels could fluctuate quite a bit in between the stages of welfare and buying your own food.

There is something very empowering about providing for your own basic needs. Think of the transition between high school and college or adult life. For most people, they have the opportunity to spread their wings and leave the nest. Where parents once provided food and shelter, now the individual must fend for themselves. And while it can be frightening and stressful at times, there is a real feeling of accomplishment when you find your first apartment or buy your first car. These need not be extravagant, but taking care of your own basic needs cultivates confidence and self-worth. No one likes to feel like they can’t take care of themselves, and money can help you to avoid that feeling.

3. You Can Get Yourself Out of Debt

One of the most personally damaging things that can happen in a person’s life is getting stuck in debt. Credit cards, new cars, vacations, medical bills, unexpected life events, unemployment, shopping addictions, and more can all lead to crippling debt. And once you’re in debt, the interest starts to accumulate, leaving you in a terrible cycle that can be extremely difficult to stop.

While the misuse of money can get you into debt, the opposite is also true. Using money wisely can free you from debt and help you to create a brighter financial future. Make it your year to get debt-free by using these tips for paying off debt in 2017. While it may be a long road to get out of debt, you can help maintain motivation by thinking what your life will be like when you don’t owe anyone anything and you have complete control over your own finances.

4. You Can Do Something Personally Meaningful

Finally, consider ways you can use money to do something very personally meaningful in your life. Think of a big goal that brings you joy and a feeling of fulfillment. For instance, how would you feel to be able to help pay for your kids to get through college? How would you feel to be able to start your own non-profit organization?^[2] What would it be like to create your own business or to make your next anniversary extra special?

Money has the power to help you achieve goals that can bring more meaning to your life. Try and switch your mindset from a materialistic attitude to an attitude of finding meaning through money. This will help the next time you are tempted with an impulse buy at the mall. When you keep your larger life goals in mind, it will become easier to avoid quick purchases that might actually diminish your happiness in the long run.

The next time you hear someone say that money can’t buy happiness, think of some of these ideas. When you have a healthy view of money focused on giving to others, providing for your own needs, staying free from debt, and achieving personally meaningful goals, you might find that money can in fact improve your happiness and increase your quality of life.