Buying happiness: Is money really a blessing or a curse?

Most of us would be happy if we had more money, wouldn’t we? At least we think we would. We would be happier if only we could purchase this or that costly gadget or experience, take this unusual trip or give larger amounts to charities that we believe worthy.

These are delightful speculations, but most of us don’t spend a lot of time, so assessing ourselves. We, as contentedly as possible, make do with what we have.

Can the super wealthy be sufficiently happy as they observe others that have even more. Some of the very, very wealthy are not at all happy. They know or have heard of others with significantly more assets. They notice other wealthy folks who have larger and better equipped vacation homes in unusual exotic spots. Some have yachts larger and longer than theirs or larger and faster personal planes. They are increasingly unhappy observing such obviously greater wealth.

Another problem that the very wealthy have is guarding their wealth. There are cagey, ruthless, individuals plotting to obtain wealth legally or illegally from those who have. Alarm systems need to be installed on their properties connected to quickly responding vigilant authorities. They feel the need to read the Wall Street Journal daily and have connections to appropriate Internet settings to judiciously assess financial information from rising or falling stocks. Then, how best to implement that information? Poor people may think a wealthy existence is all peaches and cream but having unusually large assets bring worry and necessary protective actions.

It is also important to perpetually assess the political strengths of particular politicians. Tax laws that favor their investments must continually be guarded or altered. Other rich folks are continually doing the same and financial rewards for the election and re-election of appropriate legislators must be competitively raised at crucial times. Spots on top of the financial mound are not easily obtained or retained. Money presents problems in a variety of ways. For example:

* With continually rising costs, Santa Claus won’t be the only one in the red.

* Both rich and poor complain about money; the poor can’t make enough and the rich can’t keep enough.

* Money never could buy happiness and credit cards aren’t doing much better.

* Money won’t make a person happy, but it will keep his creditors satisfied.

* But at least today, it isn’t hard to tell who handles the family money — men’s billfolds are getting smaller and women handbags larger.

Bernie Hughes, Ed.D., is a retired educator who resides in Superior. He can be reached at bernie3024@centurytel.net.

Tags: community, seniors, health