Summary
“From the ‘perfect’ salary to keeping up with the Joneses, here’s how money really affects your happiness” by Cory Stieg.
My Conclusion: Cory Stieg emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between wealth and well-being, considering income levels, job meaning, spending habits, and relative income. The article goes through into the difficult relationship between money and happiness, emphasizing that it’s change extends further than just wealth.
Premises:
1. Money is essential for basic needs, but being excessive with money and wealth may discourage happiness, personal relationships, and personal growth.
2. Research shows that happiness is higher up to an income threshold of $75,000-95,000 per year, with job satisfaction and purpose more important than wealth. Spending on personal growth, community involvement, and experiences contributes more to happiness.
"The Paradox of Choice"
Conclusion: Barry Schwartz discusses how the abundance of choices available to us in modern society can actually lead to decision-making paralysis and ultimately decrease our overall happiness. Schwartz argues that while having more options may seem like a positive thing, it can often lead to feelings of regret and dissatisfaction.
Premises:
1. He uses the example of buying a pair of jeans to illustrate this point. With so many different styles, brands, and fits to choose from, we can spend endless amounts of time comparing and researching to find the perfect pair.
2. The overwhelming number of options available in supermarkets. He discusses how having endless choices of similar products, such as different types of peanut butter or shampoos, can make it difficult for consumers to make a decision. This can lead to decision paralysis.
Argument: I do agree that money don’t buy happiness but without money we cannot live neither. Money is essential for humans needs and sometimes we have to sacrifice our happiness for money. Example in the article “From the ‘perfect’ salary to keeping up with the Joneses, here’s how money really affects your happiness” by Cory Stieg. She states “the idea is that you need money to meet basic needs, such as access to healthcare and a safe place to live, Lyubomirsky says. If you grow up without resources like food, clothing or shelter, then having more money really makes a huge difference in your life and overall well-being.” Meaning that While money may not be able to buy happiness in the traditional sense, it is clear that money is essential for providing the basic necessities of life. Without money, individuals would struggle to meet their basic needs, access healthcare, and enjoy the freedom and flexibility that contribute to happiness. Therefore, while true happiness may not be dependent on material possessions, money is undeniably important for ensuring a comfortable and fulfilling life. Another example is “The Paradox of Choice”/TEDtalk by Barry Schwartz he argues that the abundance of choices can actually increase levels of stress and decrease overall satisfaction with the decision-making process.
