Common Cents # 18 Too Much Stuff

 Too Much Stuff

Can money buy happiness? It depends. Lack of money can bring unhappiness, but so can too much money. Surveys show that the money to happiness curve is bell shaped. The happiest people are found in the middle section of the curve with the most unhappy and stressed people being the richest and the poorest. Assuming most of us are in that middle group, money can buy a level of happiness, but if it doesn’t, it is because we have spent it buying the wrong things.

The poor are not happy because their basic needs of even food and shelter are uncertain or not in reach at all. The richest people are not happy because they have too many belongings and riches that weigh them down with responsibility, maintenance, insurance cost, and a need to maintain their elevated status. We start out being consumers until soon we become the consumed, devoured by our own stuff.

I have found that it is far easier to buy stuff than it is to get rid of it. I am determined to be very careful with what I buy, knowing that it is likely to occupy a place in my life, my house, or my mind for a long time.

If we want to spend money on things that will increase our happiness, we need to spend it on things that will count, like deeper and more interesting experiences with family and friends, not just more stuff.

There is a saying in photography, “If you want your photographs to be more interesting, first, stand in front of something more interesting.” The old photo-journalist maxim is, “F8 and be there.” In other words, exposure isn’t going to make any difference if you are not on the scene. The greatest camera in the world is useless in a drawer. When I see a beautiful ten-year-old car for sale with low mileage, my first thought is, “What a waste.” Cars are made to be driven, to see new things, and drive down long highways and country roads on adventures with our favorite people.

This principle applies to many areas of life. Experiences and actually being present are more important than what sort of camera I have, or what kind of guitar I play, or what kind of car I drive.

I was at a woodworking seminar a few years ago and one of the students listed all of the wood working equipment he owned. He asked what he should buy next. The instructor thought for about a half second and said, “wood.” Everybody laughed but the point was made. We probably have everything we need to do whatever we want to do. We just need to do it. One more lens, effects pedal, drill bit, or a bigger computer isn’t going to make us more productive or enrich our lives nearly as much as living each day, enjoying what we already own to its fullest potential.

Money only buys happiness if we spend it on the right things. Things like travel, an evening out with friends, or a meaningful book will bring us a lot more happiness than more belongings that weigh down our lives.