Would earning 75K a year make you happy?
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Not true at all. I make $75,000 and I still have the disposable income to book several multi hour visits with my favourite SP each month. Mind you, if I was making $150,000, I'd probably move out of my discarded refridgerator carton under the Gardner Expressway and find myself a proper apartment. So there you go. Money does buy happiness.
I earn significantly more than 100k and I can say that the relationship between money and happiness is not "money causes happiness".
Lack of money can maybe make you unhappy, especially if you PREVIOUSLY had more money--it's hard to get used to living on less.
I think though that if your basic needs are being met it boils down to whether you're generally a happy person or not. Some people are happier than others practically no matter what their situation--they just know how to have fun and enjoy their life. Others are unhappy no matter what they have, always feeling something's missing or they should have more. I think perhaps some of the most driven people are the most unhappy, as they keep believing the next success will make them happy.
I'd hate to go back to living on 100k/year but on the other hand I remember being a pretty happy guy when I first graduated from university and was living in a rented room on $30k/year so no I don't think money is key to being happy.
Depends on your lifestyle I suppose. I've made well over 100K a year and I spent all the moeny on cars, women & drinking ;-). What do you want in life? If you want a condo, a decent car & a pizza on Friday, that'll do it. If you want to fly to San Fran for the weekend all the time, you'll need more. I think the average person could live on 75K a year, even in Toronto. We do it out here in Calgary and Vancouver.
My 43 year old Italian friend who doesn't work is happy as a pig in shit living on $9,000 a year. In the past 3 years, he quit his job (shitty boss), sold his car, stopped going to MP's and SC's, and dropped his GF who also didn't work. His house is paid for and he gets a steady income from his inherited stock portfolio. Happiness is a state of mind.
In my case, the happiest time of my life was when I was sharing a flat with 3 other guys, attending university and didn't have 2 nickels to rub together.
In my case, the happiest time of my life was when I was sharing a flat with 3 other guys, attending university and didn't have 2 nickels to rub together.
I agree that money isn't everything and that happiness is a state of mind. Its just that earning a six figure income would make me reach that state of mind
How does that joke go.........a rich businessman is on holiday in Mexico, his first vacation in years. He leaves the resort one day and walks down the beach where he meets a poor Mexican fellow who is also walking along the beach. The businessman looks tired and haggard, with thinning hair and bags under his eyes. "You must have a very hard job, Mr. Tourist" says the Mexican, "because you look like you work very much and it takes its toll on you." "Yes, I am a bigshot in an office tower in the Financial District in Toronto. Bigger than you can imagine. I am very important with hundreds of people who work for me and much responsibility. I drive an expensive car and wear expensive suits and eat at the best restaurants. It is such hard work and I work long hours and on weekends. My wife left me years ago because I work so hard and my children hate me because my job is more important to me than they are. But I tell you.....its worth it. One day, when I have made more money than Mexico is worth, I am going to buy a home on the beach, and spend my days down here on the ocean. I will drink my coffee in the morning, go for a walk, fish a little bit, drink some tequila, make love to a beautiful woman, eat good food, and relax. I am working hard right now but one day, when I retire, it will all pay off". "Senor," says the poor Mexican, "that is exactly what I do every day already!!!"
75k a year - ah no thanks, but it's not a bad quarter.... ok a slower than average quarter but a quarter not a year.
OTB
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I've been making in this zone for the past several years--financial affairs have been sweet especially with no car, no lavish lifestyle, and being virtually involuntarily celibate.
Fortunately and unfortunately, I've reached a point in life (early 30s), where there is not enough anyone can pay me to work and/or live in the soulless city core, or especially to sit in an office 5 days a week, morning to early evening and have little say in what is thrown at me and have someone else decide my schedule.
Everything outside of work has always been an afterthought up to this age, but I have reached a point where I can and am making work an afterthought for the short to mid-term (because I still want to grow and challenge myself--but on my terms).
Fortunately and unfortunately, I've reached a point in life (early 30s), where there is not enough anyone can pay me to work and/or live in the soulless city core, or especially to sit in an office 5 days a week, morning to early evening and have little say in what is thrown at me and have someone else decide my schedule.
Everything outside of work has always been an afterthought up to this age, but I have reached a point where I can and am making work an afterthought for the short to mid-term (because I still want to grow and challenge myself--but on my terms).
Having to work an office job to earn the $75K a year salary
would not make me happy if it is the kind of job that I will
quit once I no longer need one to make a living. Spending 8 hours
5 days a week away on such job is one misery of life that far
outweigh any financial benefit. I was most happy the year when
I managed to net $75K+ in capital gains from stock trading in my
residence. I would have been nearly as happy were the gain
a little less than $75K. Easy money is the key to happiness not
the size of your earning.
would not make me happy if it is the kind of job that I will
quit once I no longer need one to make a living. Spending 8 hours
5 days a week away on such job is one misery of life that far
outweigh any financial benefit. I was most happy the year when
I managed to net $75K+ in capital gains from stock trading in my
residence. I would have been nearly as happy were the gain
a little less than $75K. Easy money is the key to happiness not
the size of your earning.
I recall a post a while back where an escort said that she worked only as hard as necessary to make $80,000 a year. She said that is the income that provides her with a comfortable lifestyle. Not working harder or longer meant that she could pursue other interests, including travel. Escorting is one job where one can choose how much or little one works and when.
If that is take home pay, then she actually is making >$100k. The $75k figure is pre-tax.
Every so often I read a story about some Wall or Bay Street bankster voluntarily quitting their million dollars a year job to open a bed and breakfast. Less stress and more quality time with the spouse and kids.
At my current level of expenses that would make for a bit more utility for me however I can't be certain that I'd be any happier.
I can remember when Air Canada went private back in the 1980's and were offering their more senior pilots huge buyout packages. Many of those pilots took the money and bought taverns which in Montreal is as good as printing money.
My daydream is to own an SC. Hee, hee, hee.
