For the "happy" people who are not wealthy - a reminder for us all

C&K*s Mommie wrote: Nadia's (happymom) post about having money and many problems coming out of the woodworks taking that very money. So in return that money does not buy happiness, reminded me of this. Here are a few of the lyrics (condensed for length) of Toby Keith's song "Can't Buy You Money" As the old saying goes, "mo' money= mo' problems"

So we save it all up for a rainy day
But it's always sunny
Guess all the happiness in the world
Can't buy you money

Just workin? hard in the land of milk and honey
Hey, all the happiness in the world
Can't buy you money

But if I had plenty
I could keep us afloat
Then in the end if my ship don?t come in
I'd just buy a bigger boat
I ain?t got no money
I'm knee deep in dept
We must be livin? on love from above
Because we ain't hit bottom yet

I pick my paycheck up and go strait to the bank
That's my usual route
Then I go home and pick up the wife and the kids
Because we're goin' out
It's a drive through window
Pick out a combo super size
Swing on down to the Walmart
Let the kids pick out a prize
My truck broke down at the red light
She thinks it's real funny
Yes, all the happiness in the world can't buy you money

So we save it all up for a rainy day
But it's always sunny
Guess all the happiness in the world
Can't buy you money

TheOaf66 replied: well I would like to put that theory to the test

luvbug00 replied:

I'd love to have that life again.

holley79 replied:

AlexsPajamaMama replied:
Sounds like us!

I love that song!

C&K*s Mommie replied:

Here too! The girls know that Walmart gumball machines have their names on it. And maybe just maybe they can get a "prize" in the store, or at the dollar store next door.

AlexsPajamaMama replied:
Alex LOVES the dollar store!! He thinks he needs a bouncy ball out of the 50cent machine on the way out EVERY time!!
And at Walmart its the Elmo and Zoe ride! And seeing the fishies!

We were actually at both stores today, and Kmart too!
Beach Ball and Juice Boxes at the Dollar Tree, sandel sale at Kmart (FOR ME! YIPPEEE), and Milk and Ice Cream Sandwiches at Wally Mart!

BAC'sMom replied: Gotta love Toby Keith

DVFlyer replied: Ummmmmm. That song was sung by a Multi-Millionaire.

luvmykids replied: I absolutely agree that money can't buy happiness, but I do have to say it can sure lessen some stresses!

BAC'sMom replied:
Your darn right Monica!

Ashlynn's Mommy replied:


It would lessen my stress by 99.9%

Ashlynn's Mommy replied:
I love the dollar store. Everything .99 ya can't beat that

mammag replied:
I couldn't agree more!!! I know for sure that I'm a much happier me when I've got some money in the bank. It might not buy happiness but it sure puts a smile on MY face.

ashtonsmama replied:
Good reminder.

C&K*s Mommie replied: a down to earth multi-millionaire; One who knows what a Walmart is, *cough* *cough* unlike Paris Hilton who thought they sold "wall stuff" there.

DVFlyer replied:
I don't know him personally, so I can't comment on whether or not he's down to earth. It's just a pet peeve of mine to hear/ see rich (REALLY RICH) people talk or sing about struggling or money problems etc.

But I can tell you that if you don't think money can't buy happiness, get rid of it all and see how happy you are.

AlexsPajamaMama replied:
I'll second that!

MommyToAshley replied: I get what you are saying.

I've said this just recently.... DH and I could have more money and more material things if we either promoted our business more aggressively or continued our career paths we were on before we started our own company. But, that would mean working more hours and seeing Ashley less. So, we are content being a small company for now and enjoying our daughter. It doesn't mean that we don't want more money or to further our careers, it's quite the opposite. We are both goal oriented people. We've just changed our priorities for now. In our case more money would not mean more happiness... I would miss my baby too much.

C&K*s Mommie replied: ITA, as well.

DVFlyer replied: Sounds like symantics. I equate less stress to happiness. More money would do that for me. You say you would be happy with no money but agree that money would lessen some stresses. For my definition of happiness, we agree then.

I hear people say they would be happy if they were broke, but I've never seen those people give up their money. When pressed they usually revert to the fact they need "some" money for food/ clothes etc. Yup. People are usually happier with cloths and food and a roof over their head. Seems there is a hypocrisy somewhere.

Of course, "more" money could mean $100 a month or $100,000 a month. It doesn't necessarily mean buying decadent things or having more money then you could possibly spend. Everyone has their own level of "happiness".

For me, the chance to have enough money to set my family and their families up for the rest of their lives would make "me" happy. Whether or not it made them happy is a question I can't answer... but I'll let you know as soon as I win the lottery.

C&K*s Mommie replied: DV..... before I make this a long drawn out post for nothing, I will say this. We agree money can bring less stress. But on the flip side, money can bring more problems....evident of just about any person who rose fast, gained loads of money, but in looking back they had/have nothing to show for it. (MC Hammer comes to mind since I saw him on tv recently)

Not having any money whatsoever or having any prospects for having it in the near future can be depressing, that is where the sink or swim mentality comes in. BTDT. But we were happy and blessed, again I emphasize that we found that we learned alot by not having much. Happiness, in this case would mean contentment. Being content with what you have and feeling blessed to have at least that much.

Nobody wishes they could be broke. I would be hard pressed to find anyone that did. But if they were then they would accept it, and work from the ground up or fade away. We chose to go from the ground up and to be more appreciative of what we had.

I think this has become off point. You and I agree on many points, looking further at this. Money cannot buy you a new person within. It is those that choose to associate "happiness" with "having" bigger and better and more & more never being happy with what they have, is where I am choosing to disagree with you. Happiness is not in having more and better, IMO. It is being content with what you have.

mammag replied: I think it's all in the way you look at it and what you would use the money for. And like you said......it boils down to the person on the inside....

If you go out and blow money left and right or start doing things you wouldn't have done if you didn't have money, or forgetting what is important to you, then money could make you miserable.

However, if you won the lotter and stayed grounded and true to yourself, think how happy you could be......

Imagine not worrying about losing your job or where this months mortgage is coming from.

Imagine hearing about the lady down the street who is in a lot of pain but can't afford the surgery and being able to help her.

Imagine not worrying that your kids will do something they don't necessarily like doing because it is money but instead following their own dreams because money is not an object.

Imagine being able to head off on a family road trip when ever you decide you haven't had enough family fun time.

Imagine being touched by a charity you hear about and being able to write a big check to help.

Based on what I know about most of the people here at PC I think money would be a good thing in any of our lives.

luvmykids replied: I think a key in the answer is also if you're using money to try to "make" you happy, like buying things just because you can or you expect them to fill a void, or if having more money (whatever that means to you) simply eases your mind and frees you of some worry.

C&K*s Mommie replied: Jeanie... that is what I was more or less trying to get at. Money in itself is not bad. But that very money and the love of money will not lead to happines, IMO. It is the person within. Besides, I have always had a dream of giving money to worthy people I ran across just because I could.

The things you buy with money cannot lead to happiness. You the person have to be happy & content for yourself first.

luvmykids replied:
I could not agree more. And I speak from experience

C&K*s Mommie replied: I am glad, Monica. I thought I was being misunderstood with all my verbose posts, I tend to run on and on not making any sense many times.