Happiness

OK, so, I happened to have 15 minutes of overtime and come home fifteen minutes early, and immediately turned on the television, something that almost never happens.  Due to these unusual circumstances, I caught an episode of Oprah...something that REALLY never happens (plus, I sort of thought she no longer had a show??  Oh well).

I am so glad I caught this episode!
It was about being happy!

I only watched the second half of the show, and it was filled with little tidbits that start out "Research has shown" and involved money and happiness!  It was fate!

First things first, I learned that happiness "maxes out" at a household income of $75,000 for a family of four.  (Note: this is an average, so if you live in New York City and you think that won't cover your living expenses, please remember how far it would go in rural Alabama and even things out)  Apparently, at that point, you have all your needs met, and nicely.  Meaning, you have a car, a home, some money to put away, some money to blow, plenty to eat.  After that, you can have more "things" but those things don't increase your happiness. . .at least not long-term.    If you have a household income of $75,000 or more, then, you should be focusing on "experiences" and doing things that make you happy, not on trying to increase your wealth so that you can buy more.

While I agree with the idea of what they are saying, I must admit I was thinking a lot about the person who is making $100,000 a year, but is very in debt, has a large house payment, student loans, a nice car, and also the "rich expenses" (a phrase I've made up, thankyouverymuch) which include nicer clothes then I have to wear to my job, dry cleaning for the nicer clothes, parking and commuting and Smartphones and networking dinners, drinks and luncheons and charitable foundations and entertaining (company big-wigs need nice houses to host dinners, an expense us lowly paper pushers never have to think about).  If that person could make $150,000 and not increase their spending, they would feel happier, I bet.   Of course, if they were making $75,000 and didn't have to have the nice home or had a shorter commute or could work from home and save on dry cleaning 2 days a week...maybe they would, in fact, be happier.

This was not the only thing I learned.  They said that joining a club, which requires you to go to a monthly meeting, in person, will increase your happiness more then doubling your salary.   I like my book club, but I am not certain I really like them THAT much.   It is food for thought, though.  One more reminder that, once you are out of debt, you DO need to retrain yourself to take up hobbies and interests again, even if there is some expense involved.  (If you are still in debt, you should ALSO take the time to find free hobbies and interests or volunteer work, but everyone knows I didn't, so, whatever).

I have a two-mile commute to work currently.  This is the shortest I have ever had, and, while I like it in the sense that I only have to fill up my gas tank every 3 weeks, and oil changes are rarely necessary...I must admit I miss my book-on-tape time and the unwinding before I get home time.   In the past, I have had commutes in the 15 to 30 minute range.  What I learned today on Oprah, is that you would need to make an extra $40,000 a year to make up the happiness lost by having a one hour commute each way.   I suppose for people with families this is more intently obvious ~ we all know someone who had their first child and realized that being gone for 10 or 11 hours five days a week could essentially prevent them from ever seeing their child awake.

Two more little factoids and I will stop rambling.

1) The happiness you receive from a material item (new shoes or a new house or anything in between), lasts for no more than nine months.   Just a little reminder that while I am now unbroke, and I CAN spend money on new things (nice things), I have to also make sure I am adjusting my budget to allow for the experiences - whether that is a trip, a club or hobby, or even a charity, that will bring me happiness that will not wear off in a few months and simply require me to buy something else.

2) The four "happiest jobs" in America all have an average income of under $50,000.  Nor are they easy.  They are:  clergy, firefighter, special education teacher and travel agent.

Just some food for thought.

Check out the Oprah / Goldie Hawn "Are You Happy" Quiz, which ends with all the factoids.