Does Money Make Us Happier?

I read an article in the newspaper today that put me in my thinking hat. Does more money makes one happier?

I remember my late grandmother stories when I was very young. Every night, I would crawl into my granny's blanket and asked her to tell me stories of her life. Every stories she told has a sense of hardship in it. Some of it were rather sad and frightening. She would tell me how she faced a lot of struggle for her family basic neccessites. Sometimes, her family went without food specially during the Japanese occupancy. In fact her stories during the Japanese occupancy was very interesting, at the same time scary for a 5-year-old. Maybe that's the reason why I like to read crime and horror novels. I also like to read about true-event and history related books. I will tell some of my granny's stories other time.

Nowadays, most of us didn't have to struggle for basic neccessities and life was way better than our fathers and forefathers. All of us are financially better. But are we happier?

Various survey were done to get the answer. Most of the people are satisfied and optimistic. However, there was a 10% or so revealed that they are pessimistic about the future and not content with their lives. This unveil that financial well being doesn't guarantteed happiness.

For most of us, except for the extremely rich, there are too many variebles that prevent the feeling of happiness. Low sense of security top the chart. In most asian countries, the saving rate is high compare to western countries. The lack of social security systems is the major reason for the public's reluctance to spend. The scenario is more prominant among the low and medium income group. The uncertainty regarding employment, income, medical situation, housing, education, politic and war in recent years were the main reasons. People can't be content if they have to fortified with the unexpected.

Ones has to save for rainny days. Unless government can provide a more stable environment, people will continue to save and reluctant to spend.