Can money buy your happiness?

Money is traded directly or indirectly in the average person’s life, but its impact on society is significant. The sight of money brightens a person’s day because of the perks that come to mind, such as purchasing items on a wish list. But is that a spark of adrenaline or happiness?

“I personally think that money can buy you happiness to a certain extent because when you have money you can buy the things you want and that gives you physical satisfaction,” said Aniya Marshall, a political science student at the University first year of study.

Money symbolizes many positive aspects; it represents security, independence, the ability to provide and the key to desires. Even if everyone had enough money, many would still want more, because the joy money offers transfers towards expenses. Freshman student Daniel Marshall doesn’t believe money can buy happiness.

“It creates a new kind of happiness that is materialistic, but it doesn’t target your emotions as much as you can physically hold in your hands,” said Daniel Marshall.

Money can become insignificant compared to products that can only be purchased over time. This concept can be seen in songs in which the protagonist has money and uses it to attract the wrong people, such as “Fake Love” by Drake or “Real Friends” by Kanye West.

The attraction that money brings is more than just fleeting satisfaction; it also creates envy in others. That’s why people like Jalen Simons, a first-year business student, prefer not to tie their happiness to money.

“You can have all the money in the world and still not have what money can’t buy,” Simons said. “Love. People are around you just because you have money, but the ones who really love you will do it whether you’re broke or rich.”

Money can increase the likelihood of happiness, but it is not the key because the more you have, the more you want to buy. This equates to an endless cycle of never being satisfied because satisfaction is short-lived and money becomes a relief that is often confused with happiness.

“I feel like it’s greed that dictates people’s point of view, I feel like the amount of money matters. When you get money, you always want more,” said Daniel Marshall. “I feel like if people would just find their place of contentment, if they were happy with what they have, then everyone would be happy.”

Money can buy security, a sense of freedom, independence and even social status, but no matter how much it can buy, happiness is not one of them.