#31
Dennis wrote:
mr self destruct wrote:
This is basically the conclusion of my own recent thinking, backed up by lots of research I’ve been reading. Thoughts?
Well one thought that comes to mind is that if you have to read up on ways to be happy, then you are definitely doing something wrong.
Right now things have improved for me at work, slightly more money but also a car which as material things go makes a big difference for me. But am I really happier? Maybe, maybe not..If I get my band back up and running, there will be a noticeable improvement - I will be doing something I find fulfilling and satisfying and which also makes me feel like I am doing something I can do well.
So yeah, I agree engaging in activities you enjoy is the key to happiness, though let’s not underestimate how much people’s material situation can limit them in being able to do that.
maybe money = freedom and freddom can = happiness? And maybe some people are lucky enough to have the freedom they need without needing money to have it?
Or maybe someone could just invent fat-free, calorie-free chocolate that tastes as good as the real thing and then I’ll be happy for life.
Posted on Mon, 18 February 2008 at 09:42
Last edited by Teethgrinder on Mon, 18 February 2008 at 13:51 (Corrected formatting)
#32
Dennis wrote:
@ Marja -
Exactly, a mortgage is not slavery.
Renting could be slavery, though! You pay loads of money each month, you sign a lease binding you to the property for six months or longer, and you get nothing to show for it at the end.
With a mortgage you are buying a house, in manageable (hopefully!) portions. And you get a house at the end of it! Plus any equity it has left in it!
OK it costs a hell of a lot of money, but it’s not like you are buying Meat Abstract on 7” for an inflated price, you are paying a lot of money for something that IS actually worth a lot of money!
Posted on Mon, 18 February 2008 at 10:26
#33
mr self destruct wrote:
Dennis wrote:
Well one thought that comes to mind is that if you have to read up on ways to be happy, then you are definitely doing something wrong.
I didn’t read up on ways to be happy, I developed my own thoughts and then sought other scientific and psychological texts which supported my thesis.
Posted on Mon, 18 February 2008 at 10:29 in reply to an earlier post
Last edited by Teethgrinder on Mon, 18 February 2008 at 13:51 (Corrected use of quotes)
#34
mr self destruct wrote:
Dennis wrote:
maybe money = freedom and freddom can = happiness? And maybe some people are lucky enough to have the freedom they need without needing money to have it?
Depends how you define freedom really. My idea of freedom relates to mental and physical freedom rather than having enough money to be able to buy stuff.
Posted on Mon, 18 February 2008 at 10:41 in reply to an earlier post
#35
Dennis wrote:
Oh I agree but i wasn’t equating freedom with the freedom to buy nice material things, I meant the freedom in terms of things like not having to work a second job which leaves you too tired to do things which make you feel good outside of work, or the fact that if you know you have enough money to pay the bills and feed yourself you are free to think about other stuff instead.
True money does not bring happiness, but a lack of it sure brings unhappiness.
Posted on Mon, 18 February 2008 at 10:52
#36
marja (sinner) wrote:
it’s not because you have the money to buy the stuff you want, that you actually go on and buy it.
It’s just knowing that you could do it, that gives you freedom in your head.
Posted on Mon, 18 February 2008 at 10:53
#37
marja (sinner) wrote:
ok, i should learn to type faster, so
what dennis said
Posted on Mon, 18 February 2008 at 10:53
#38
Alan wrote:
I have a mortgage myself and I’m very happy that I do. When I was renting I felt like shit ‘cos I was paying off somebody else’s mortgage and just wasting my money basically. Now I’m a lot happier knowing that I’m spending my money wisely and that I’ll own my house in about 15 years - not too bad I think, as I’ll be in my mid 40’s then with loads of time left to enjoy myself without worrying about “where is the rent going to come from?”.
I understand that some people feel happy knowing they’re renting and not tied in to any long-term agreement with a bank or whatever, but I feel happier in the security of knowing I have a steady job and a house that I will own in the not too distant future.
I have a friend who just rents and changes jobs on a daily basis and almost looks down on people like me who work in the same place and same town for years. He seems to think we waste our lives by not moving around and “living it up”. He says he’s happy, but then he doesn’t seem happy and when he drinks, he’s a nightmare to deal with. He seems pissed off actually - he works in shitty jobs, albeit in different towns and cities. What’s the point, I think? He’s not exactly expanding his horizons working in an office in Dublin instead of an office in Cork, now is he?
I think *some people on both sides of the argument tend to pull the blinkers on and tell themselves they’re happy with their situation, when in fact, they’re not. Some people are happy renting, some are not. Some people are happy having a mortgage and perceived as being tied-down, some are not.
That’s my rant!
Posted on Mon, 18 February 2008 at 11:01
#39
mr self destruct wrote:
I don’t deny lack of money can cause unhappiness, that’s why I said “Once you have sufficient money and possessions to cover your basic needs (food, shelter, and clothing), extra money and possessions really don’t increase happiness” in my original post. Beyond a “little left over to give you some breathing space” (realityfuck) it doesn’t seem to bring an increase in happiness (albeit a temporary high, when you buy that new guitar or whatever). Think about it. You can do most things with only a modest amount of money, people have just been conditioned to think that they need a lot of cash to have a good life. It’s a corporate fraud.
Posted on Mon, 18 February 2008 at 11:08
#40
mr self destruct wrote:
That was at Dennis and marja
Posted on Mon, 18 February 2008 at 11:09
#41
marja (sinner) wrote:
sam, having enough money does not imply that you have to buy stuff all the time to make you happy, the 2 are not linked.
it’s just when you don’t have to worry about that aspect in life that you can concentrate freely on whatever it is that makes you happy
Posted on Mon, 18 February 2008 at 11:14
