How little $$$ for you to still be happy???

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skitch

climber
East of Heaven
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 31, 2014 - 02:27pm PT
When I was in college I thought that if I made $40k a year I would be set. . .now I'm making a bit more than that and my wife has a good job. never seems like there's enough. Since chasing that green rainbow is obviously rediculous, how much money could you live on and be happy? Does that include having a spouse?
Bruce Morris

Social climber
Belmont, California
Jul 31, 2014 - 02:42pm PT
Having $10 million liquid is enough to feel secure.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Jul 31, 2014 - 02:45pm PT
It's a constant battle, she's never satisfied. I mean about money.
JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
Jul 31, 2014 - 02:50pm PT
In the words of John D. Rockefeller, "A few dollars more."

That does not describe me, though. I've found that contentment is all I need. "Happiness" is too fleeting. Seven years ago, I found myself involuntarily without my wife and daughters, climbing, my piano, the internet, bridge players or freedom. I also found myself content.

This caused me to conclude that contentment, like love, need not be merely an emotion. It can -- and really needs to be -- a volitional act.

John
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Jul 31, 2014 - 03:09pm PT
Who's working for who?




100k should about cover it.
StahlBro

Trad climber
San Diego, CA
Jul 31, 2014 - 03:38pm PT
The important thing is figuring out what you really need. Then you will have the answer. Otherwise there is always something else...

[Click to View YouTube Video]
Jon Beck

Trad climber
Oceanside
Jul 31, 2014 - 03:42pm PT
A good hint regarding the money-happiness formula can be found by looking at the history of lottery winners. For the most part the big winners lives fell apart. Sure, it is human nature to think that a million bucks would make you happy, but the truth is, happiness comes from within. I found freedom by learning to not crave material things, I decided a longtime ago that new cars put you in a sort of prison. I would rather be spending my money on road trip gas, rather than a car payment.

Sure, it takes money to live and a bit of cash can grease the wheels of true freedom. But it is a balancing act. The temptation to go for the big bucks will cost you the freedom of doing what you want. Sometimes I envy the homeless guys down by the river, they wake up without a care in the world, all there stuff in a pack. Okay, the reeking of urine I could do without

But somewhere between the guy down by the river and the workaholic who is going to die in his cubicle is your personal freedom. Seek it out!


Enough the inner spiritual stuff, here is some of the best financial planning advice I ever heard, from Andrew Tobias, he noted that a dollar saved is more than a dollar earned. It takes earning two dollars to save one dollar after considering taxes and overhead. So every dollar you do not spend represents two dollars you do not have to earn.

That clip from The Jerk is golden, it speaks volumes!
rick d

climber
ol pueblo, az
Jul 31, 2014 - 04:15pm PT
please show me the measured statistics of lottery winners and unhappy lives.

Those (hundred) that are smart, disappear.

The three dumbasses are in the news daily.

$100k plus some in the bank for a rainy day.
Handjam Belay

Gym climber
expat from the truth
Jul 31, 2014 - 04:15pm PT
I remember seeing a study that said income and life happiness were proportionally linked up until 60k annual income. Then happiness did not track with increased income.

I'm unsure if this is single income or mixed household.
Jon Beck

Trad climber
Oceanside
Jul 31, 2014 - 04:26pm PT
hahaha, Kos has only seen my nice car

please show me the measured statistics of lottery winners and unhappy lives.

It is hard to quantify happiness, but lottery winners go bankrupt at twice the rate of the general population.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2012/11/28/why-winning-powerball-wont-make-you-happy/

limpingcrab

Trad climber
the middle of CA
Jul 31, 2014 - 04:28pm PT
I like free time more than money, so I want the amount of money that will enable me to have the most free time.

Not like the homeless, I think their time isn't very free since they're having to figure out how to get by or how to get medical attention or how to get their next fix.



I teach high school and feel like I'm sitting right on top of the curve. But like others have said, circumstances don't really control happiness.
Flip Flop

Trad climber
Truckee, CA
Jul 31, 2014 - 04:31pm PT
What happens when you can't blame money for your woes?
NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Jul 31, 2014 - 04:31pm PT
contentment, like love, need not be merely an emotion. It can -- and really needs to be -- a volitional act.

Beautiful expression John.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Jul 31, 2014 - 04:39pm PT
The richest guy I know might be the most miserable. He's had to drop the
price on his 'house' by $10 million and after a year there are still no bites.
How bad does that suck?
Jingy

climber
Somewhere out there
Jul 31, 2014 - 04:58pm PT
good question... like how much would be enough for you live comfortably... or at least living and not having to constantly battle life (like, say for instance, how I imagine the lower/lower class in America lives)...

My question is: What if you had a certain amount of money with no prospect of obtaining more with which to extend the "life"* that you have. How much would it take would not really matter, would it?

* - life is being used in the ultra-basic here... food, shelter, clothing, warmth are really all that is needed in life... all the rest being extra added bonus for ones lucky/focused enough to have obtained the luck in the first place...


@Reilly
The richest guy I know might be the most miserable. He's had to drop the
price on his 'house' by $10 million and after a year there are still no bites.
How bad does that suck?
Ricky D

Trad climber
Sierra Westside
Jul 31, 2014 - 05:01pm PT
Now you boys are flirting with Maslow's Seven Needs.
Gary

Social climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
Jul 31, 2014 - 05:15pm PT
That Susan Adams looks a lot like Leonard Bernstein.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2012/11/28/why-winning-powerball-wont-make-you-happy/
Elcapinyoazz

Social climber
Joshua Tree
Jul 31, 2014 - 05:24pm PT
$36k/yr.
limpingcrab

Trad climber
the middle of CA
Jul 31, 2014 - 05:55pm PT
Some of the most content and joyful people I've met have been on mission trips to some of the poorest places on earth. Kinda gave perspective to this question and I wish everyone had that opportunity.
pud

climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
Jul 31, 2014 - 06:41pm PT
I don't equate money with happiness these days. Maybe that's because I'm no longer struggling to make ends meet but, I am content and that has no price.
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