FAIRYTALES

[rothschild]

Why do people always say money can't buy happiness? Of course it can't in the case of tragedy, but as far as everyday living goes I'd rather have money than be poor. I grew up poor, having money is way more fun.

If money can buy happiness, how much does it cost?

Let me know if you see a good sale. 

Since it's Saturday I'd say about $2000.00 for a caviar and champagne brunch for the whole family.That brings me more happiness than going to Denny's. Or even worse, eating cereal with powered milk that I got from the church pantry and then having to go to work at Denny's. I've done all of those things, the caviar brunch wins hands down.

Material quality of life is important, obviously, but how much of a factor is that re baseline happiness? Up to a certain point it's very important, but beyond that it's marginal, at best, because hedonistic stimuli, such as caviar and champagne brunches, produce diminishing returns as the activity is repeated, leaving the baseline unaltered; hence the saying, "you can't buy happiness". Can a person's baseline be substantially increased? Absolutely, but not as a result of increased pleasure, because pleasure is transitory. Even if you have the financial wherewithal to constantly experience pleasure, your baseline is not going to increase; quite the contrary, in fact, it will collapse because a lifestyle that consists of constant pleasure leads to madness: no matter how much you have, it's never enough, and once you cross the line into OCD you're trapped. Yes, you can escape, but that's a very slow and painful process.

This doesn't negate what you're saying, I'm just pointing out that pleasure and happiness are not one and the same.