It’s often been said that those that say Money can’t buy Happiness don’t know where to shop. Are you shopping to buy happiness? It’s helpful to keep in mind that shopping, and the items purchased, brings pleasure, not Happiness. Perhaps you’ve sometimes confused the two, or perhaps you’ve developed a habit of substituting pleasure for happiness.
For most of us, money itself will not bring lasting happiness – but a lack of money can be a source of ongoing stress and unhappiness, while a sense of financial control eases the mind and enriches life in more than just material ways.
Depending on your circumstances, financial control may seem unobtainable, either because your debts are overwhelming or you doubt your money management skills. In these circumstances, we may be even more tempted to indulge in the temporary pleasure of buying what we want and putting it on credit. (My grandmother would often justify expensive purchases by saying ‘what difference does it make? I’ll never have any money anyway.”)
So if financial control seems impossible, decide instead to be just a little bit smarter about money. The next time you’re tempted to make an impulse purchase on your credit card, think:
· Am I substituting temporary pleasure at the expense of future well-being?
· Can I be just a little smarter about money right now?
· Can I put this on my wish list and get it later by playing the Money Game.
Photo courtesy of: www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=4307&picture=girl-shopping
Buying does NOT bring happiness. Although this blog tends to be skewed toward woman ( that's my impression), men are also guilty. How often do men buy tools, garden equipment, the newest and fanciest BBQ and after you own it, how often does one use it?
ReplyDeleteI think we have all been guilty of buying something (male or female) for the "illusion" of happiness.
When I set out to buy something, I ask myself; do I really need it; how often will I use it, is it worth the co$t. Usually I discover I can live without it, and $ave money in the proce$$ by thinking before buying.