Money cannot buy happiness or so we are told throughout life. Many of us know people who are financially secure or even wealthy and are miserable in themselves. For some having lots of money simply exacerbates the problems and insecurities that were present before the money arrived. The money is just a clearer and bigger mirror for their issues. It is another kind of relationship in life, and like all relationships, it is showing us our potential and our issues or blocks all the time.

So if I have no money does that mean I have a better chance of being happy? Of course not as we all know loads of miserable poor people. So the presence or absence of money has little real impact on our happiness level, however how we use money does seem to have an impact.

The psychology of spending money shows that we can enhance the happiness vibes in our experiences if we are using our money consciously and for the good of others. See the TED talk here: http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_norton_how_to_buy_happiness.html

Spending my money on me has little impact on my happiness, it does not make me any happier than I already am, but spending it on others does impact me – I feel happier in myself when I spend my money on others bringing them pleasure and joy in their lives.

So, it seems money can buy me happiness, so long as I am spending it on others…not all the time of course, as I do need to buy chocolate and wine for myself! Sharing is caring, give to get, etc…when we make it our business to brighten the lives of others, the happy side effect of this behaviour is we benefit in kind….and money is one way of realising this.

So go ahead, buy me something and make yourself happy!