I need to get something off my chest. I’ve had it with the statement that money doesn’t buy happiness. And here’s why.
Money is evil
I’ve had it. I’m sick and tired. If I hear “money doesn’t buy happiness” one more time I think I’m gonna lose it!
You probably recognize the statement, you have probably heard it before. Everyone – from your teacher in elementary school to Hollywood movies – tries to make you believe that chasing money is a bad thing.
The whole world wants to convince you of the fact that the desire to be rich is despicable. And I just don’t think that’s fair.
Money craving Disney villains
If you have ever watched Disney movies you know that the villain is almost always a bad guy who’s after the money.
In Aladdin, Jafar wants to be rich and powerful and therefor tries to control the genie.
Cinderella’s step mom wants to marry off one of her daughters to the prince to be able to live a privileged life.
Edgar tries to kill a bunch of innocent kittens to prevent them from getting a large inheritance in the aristocats.
Am I defending these villains? Nope. But I cannot agree with the fact that wanting money is reason enough to be crucified.
Cheesy Christmas movies
It’s not just Disney by the way. If you didn’t know it yet, I’m a sucker for cheesy Christmas movies. Every year I (not so) secretly count down to the holiday season because of the coziness. Crawling up in the sofa with a silly movie is the epitome of the month December for me.
Call me crazy, but I actually love the corny story lines. Only during festive season, naturally. But what annoys me beyond words is the parade of main characters being shamed for putting time and effort in their career. Now, I’m not a screenwriter but I’m gonna give it a go:
Girl leaves her career in the Big City temporarily behind to visit the family farm in a small village. On her first day there she bumps into her high school sweetheart, who judges here for having stayed away for such a long time. The movie ends with the girl quitting her job and taking over the family farm, after having rekindled the relationship with the high school sweetheart.
Sweet, because spending time with your loved ones is the only thing that counts, right?
Yes and no.
Don’t get me wrong, I do believe in family (and friends) first. But the main characters in these movies always get shamed for chasing the money.
Life without money
The thing is, it’s hard to imagine a good life without money:
- No lavish dinner table on Christmas Eve
- No fun nights out with friends
- No house to live in and host your loved ones
- …
Money pays for the life of your dreams
“Money cannot buy happiness”
The saying is true. It is not possible to take your money to the store and buy a kilogram of happiness. Money does however allow you to pay for the things that make you happy, whether those are material things or experiences. Money pays for the life of your dreams.
Money pays for:
- Plane tickets for travel addicts
- Coffee dates with friends
- The roof over your head
- The internet you use to read this blog
- The ability to support your family
- …
If money is evil, then why do we work to get it?
If rich people are despicable, then why do we dream of winning the lottery?
Would you turn away 1 million if it were gifted to you? Of course not. Does that make you superficial or bad? Definitely not.
For once and for all: rich people with money who do bad things are bad people, the money doesn’t change that. It’s just a tool that gives you possibilities, but how you use it is up to you.