Dean Drobot / Shutterstock.com
“Can money buy you happiness?” is an age-old question. Many say no, but plenty of people argue otherwise, and that debate won’t be settled today.
A third of Americans say money makes them happier than love — but more than half of Americans say money causes unhappiness, according to a recent LendingTree survey of 2,100 U.S. consumers across five generations.
Regardless of whether it works, the study found 88% of us have spent money with the intent of making ourselves happier. Many go into debt doing it.
Here’s a look at what we’re most likely to spend money on to find happiness.
11. Delivery or subscription service
stockfour / Shutterstock.com
Respondents who have bought this to find happiness: 12%
Getting something in the mail — expected or not — can certainly provide a bit of dopamine. But the novelty can wear off fast, leaving us with more things we don’t need.
People are also pretty bad at estimating how much they spend on subscriptions, as we detail in “9 Ways ‘Cancel Culture’ Can Improve Your Finances.”
10. Flowers
Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko / Shutterstock.com
Respondents who have bought this to find happiness: 15%
Flowers aren’t permanent, so they might not provide a permanent boost to happiness. But at least one study out of Rutgers University has found evidence that flowers make people smile, boost mood and promote social interaction.
9. Books or magazines
Aaron Amat / Shutterstock.com
Respondents who have bought this to find happiness: 18%
Both fiction and nonfiction are understandable ways to seek happiness: Imagination and learning are both pleasant ways to while away the hours. This doesn’t have to be an expensive habit, either. Head to your local library or check out “11 Sites That Offer Free E-Books.”
8. Beauty or spa services
Alena Ozerova / Shutterstock.com
Respondents who have bought this to find happiness: 19%
Removing stress seems like a plausible way to find happiness, and many people find spa days a luxurious way to unwind. But if they’re a little too expensive to enjoy as often as you’d like, check out “10 Easy and Free Ways to Find Peace When You’re Stressed Out.”
7. Alcohol or drugs
Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com
Respondents who have bought this to find happiness: 20%
More than a few people look for happiness by trying to forget their problems with alcohol or drugs. Research shows nearly 1 in 4 adults have been drinking more to cope with pandemic …….
Source: https://www.moneytalksnews.com/slideshows/11-ways-americans-try-to-buy-happiness/