• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Podcast

Money Wise Pastor

Career, life, and money wisdom from a pastor's perspective

  • Make Money
  • Save Money
  • Banking & Investing
  • Debt
  • The Bible & Money

Does Money Bring Happiness?

April 18, 2012 | By Rich | |

Momma always said money can’t buy happiness.  Princeton University may have proved her wrong.


The Sept. 27, 2010 issue of Time reported on a Princeton study showing that $75,000 seems to be the threshold to happiness. The further a person’s household income falls below $75,000, the unhappier he or she is.

Interestingly, the converse is not true.  No matter how much more than $75,000 people make, it won’t bring them any more joy.

Money brings happinessThe study, which drew its data from more than 450,000 Americans in 2008 and 2009, differentiates between two types of happiness. First, there’s your day-to-day mood which can change like the wind. Second, there’s the deeper satisfaction you feel about the path your life is taking.

Technically, the study doesn’t say that a high income will make you happier in your day-to-day attitude, but it will give you a life you’ll feel better about, which in turn can give you a greater sense of fulfillment.  At the same time, a low income doesn’t make you feel sadder, but it tends to make you more concerned or worried about other issues in your life like health and relationships.

So, what’s the magic behind the $75,000 income figure? It seems that money isn’t much of an issue for people at that level.  They tend to feel that their life is going well.  They feel more financially comfortable, and probably have more discretionary money to spend on hobbies and entertainment activities with friends and family.

So what do you think?  Is $75,000 a valid threshold to happiness in life?

You might also like:

  • Earn Extra Money Donating Plasma
  • Six Ways to Save Money on Haircuts
  • Best Cash Back Credit Cards

This article was originally published on my personal growth blog, Life Compass Blog.

About the author

Rich Rich writes on money and personal growth from a pastor's perspective here at Money Wise Pastor. He loves In-N-Out Burger (and has the t-shirts to prove it), big cities, international travel, running marathons, and helping others create more freedom, purpose, and fulfillment in their life and work. Find him on Twitter and Facebook.

Filed Under: Money Management

Primary Sidebar

Start Here…

Check Out Our New Podcast!

More Than a Pastor Podcast

Connect With Us

RSSTwitterFacebook

Money Wisdom from the Bible

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." - 1 Timothy 6:17-18 (NIV) Click for more of the Bible and Money...

Topics

  • About Money Wise Pastor
  • Banking & Investing
  • Bible & Money
  • Church Administration & Staffing
  • Clergy Tax Issues
  • Financial Challenges for Pastors
  • Giving
  • Leadership & Personal Growth
  • Make Money
  • Money Management
  • Resources & Reviews
  • Retirement
  • Save Money

Disclaimer

The content on Money Wise Pastor is for informational purposes only. We may be compensated by companies mentioned through advertising, affiliate programs, and otherwise. However, we will never promote or recommend a product that we wouldn't use ourselves. Affiliate links and ads are simply a way for us to provide the information on this site at no cost to you, our reader.

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms and Conditions

Make GDPR Requests

Copyright © 2023 MoneyWisePastor.Com