5 reasons money cannot bring happiness

We all make a mistake when we think that the more money we earn, the more happy we are. If you really want to buy yourself a full life, the problem is not how much money you earn, but how you spend your money.

This is the central idea of ​​the newly published book entitled "Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending" , (roughly translated: Happy spending science). The author of this book is two famous behavioral research scientists: Dr. Elizabeth Dunn and Dr. Michael Norton.

Business Insider points out 5 ways to change the way you think about money. These changes can help you feel happier.

Buy too many things and don't have enough purchasing experience

In this world, you can own anything if you have a credit card and Internet connection. However, if you realize that you will feel better when you have a 50 USD dinner with your friends compared to owning a big screen TV or a new iPhone, you have changed the way you shop. yourself.

According to Dunn and Norton, studies show that experience will bring more happiness than matter. The reason is because the experience helps you feel connected with others.

Focus on making more money than how to get more time

Sometimes, we get caught up in a situation where we work too hard to save a large sum of money and finally realize that time is a matter of concern.

The authors argue that people with a lot of money often do not spend time on leisure activities. Rich people tend to spend time on activities with high stress levels, such as shopping, working and moving.

Some people save too much. If you trade time to save money (save $ 20 on a flight by staying up all night or using a holiday to work overtime and earn extra money), you may trade off your happiness.

You save 5 cents per gallon of gas by going 10 miles longer. However, many people will be happier when they spend a bit more money to go home 20 minutes earlier for dinner.

Thinking that a new home will make you happy

The two researchers followed a group of Germans over a five-year period after they moved to a new home. They all thought they were happier with their new home. However, there is one problem: they are not happier with life. The same thing happens with the population group in Ohio.

'Right in the center of America, housing plays a small role in the pursuit of happiness,' Dunn and Norton wrote.

There are so many good things

When you have unlimited financial resources, it is quite 'stupid' to deny simple needs that may interest you: buy a new piece of jewelry or an expensive bottle of wine.

However, once you have everything, the feeling of happiness when buying a new item will also fade.

Invest too much in yourself and not enough for others

Dunn and Norton think making others happy before and after that will definitely make you happy. This is obvious, but surprisingly, too many people forget this.