Can money buy happiness?
It can. At least in some ways.
Financial security from money management reduces divorce rates, increases life span, and just plain feels good.1,2,3
Wealth purchases life-changing vacations, variety – the spice of life, and free time – with which to actually live life.
Despite this, the average person with a family income greater than $75,000 is just 12% happier than the average person with a family income of $30,000.4 They've adapted. To them, a juicy steak tastes just a bit better than $1 ramen tastes to me.
The common refrain of money doesn't buy happiness is true, but with a caveat – for the average person, money doesn't buy happiness.
I am not one of those people. Most people aren't.
After all, dozens of studies have shown it mostly true – for the average person, money doesn't buy happiness.5
There's a fix. We just need to stop being average.
If money doesn't make you happy, then you probably aren't spending it right.5
Money does buy happiness, but only when used in particular, often counter-intuitive ways.