With commercials starting before Thanksgiving, planning for Christmas can take on a life of its own and consume more than 10% of the year. That sometimes get you think in a grouchy way about your money and possessions. If only you had…blah, blah, blah. How much money would make you happy? Two studies, featured in a Yahoo finance article by Laura Rowley, will give us some ideas.

Not feeling it- $ 75,000 has long been stated as the amount of earnings most folks feel maximum happy for income. Really, there after all the money you have does not increase happy 'feelings.' Having enough income to have food, buy gas and oil is one important reason for happiness. And according to researchers it is more likely that you will happy if you are wealthy.

But another way to measure happiness, measuring lhow many times you laughed or had positive social interactions, has very little to do with money an how much you earn. Were you treated with respect? Do you get to do what you love? Did you get to learn something new or help people? These measures have a more significant impact on happiness than income and earnings. And these measures are consistent across ethnic and geological boundaries. People around the world have similar feelings of happiness for the same reasons.

Not much change- Above certain levels of steady income there is more impact because of your personality and decisions than as the result of the increased income. Under certain incomes there is significant stress, but according to one Nobel laureate, going from $100,000 to $150,000 has no significant increase in happiness.

Basic needs- when basic needs are not met respondents said they were less happy, as you can understand. But most people in whatever the country judge themselves and their happiness on a 'ladder' of comparison to themselves and others and based on their progression from one year to the next. Making some progress is helpful to happiness..

At this time of love and sharing, potentially increase your satisfaction by helping those whose basic needs may not be met and bring joy in your heart this season.

Citation:

How much money do you need to be satisfied?

http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/moneyhappy/254377

Marion R. Syversen, MBA - President
NorumbegaFinancial
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Marion@NorumbegaFinancial.com
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