Anthony Lott

Dr. Jizi
UWRT 1102(9)
2 February 2016

Double Entry Journal

Citation:
Parfitt, Matthew. "Can Money Buy Happiness?" Pursuing Happiness: A Bedford
Spotlight Reader. Place of Publication Not Identified: Bedford Bks St Martin'S, 2015. 160-73.
Print.

Source: Quote (Page# or Paragraph #)

Responses

Does money buy happiness? p.160

I dont believe money buys people happiness

rather it allows them to focus more on what
makes them happy. The ability to eliminate
financial stress allows for such an ability to
obtain happiness.

Were the extremely wealthy happy, or

were they anxious or dissatisfied? p.162

Im going to guess that those surveyed stated

that they are in fact happy in their everyday
lives. I wonder if the money actually makes
them happy or could it be other factors?

It turns out that forty-seven of the fortynine rich people who responded to Eds
survey were satisfied with their lives
p.162

I guessed correctly! I figured that the top

wealthiest people in America would be
satisfied with such a lavish lifestyle. I mean
we are looking at the top 1% in terms of
economic status. I feel like if the survey was
conducted on those that are just millionaires
we would see different results.

At the same time, most of us find the

possibilities offered by a lottery win
appealing and few of us would turn down
such an offer. p.164

I always imagine what it would be like to win

the lottery. I always think of the all the
positive outcomes of such a winning. When I
actually dive deeper into the realities of

winning the lottery, I realize just how horrible

such an opportunity may be. I tend to hear
horror stories of lottery winners and how their
relationships and goals in life deuterated.
As Nicholsons story illustrates, it is a bit
difficult to draw firm conclusions about
money-happiness relationship from isolated
instances. P. 165

I feel that easy money is taken for granted

and not cherished as much as money earned;
therefore, the success factor is not present.
The success factor that comes with money is
what I believe to be equivalent to happiness.

These results are both informative and

reason for optimism. P.167

The findings further illustrate the idea that

culture influences ones ideas of happiness. It
seems that in our society, we value wealth
more than other cultures.

Being satisfied with your paycheck, just

like being satisfied with your life, is about
your point of view. P. 169

The author couldnt have summed up the

chapter more brilliantly. Point of view is the
main influence on what defines happiness. For
me, happiness is found within love; this is due
to my goals and point of view in life.

The happiness formula based on attainments

and aspirations p. 170

This formula is absolutely perfect and makes

sense as to why those well-off can sometimes
be unhappy. You must balance your desires
with your income and set your expectations
low. This also helps me understand why the
poor can be happy, for they set their
expectations in life to be low.

Each of us must ask ourselves whether we

have become a victim of our rising material
desires. P. 172

I blame the American society for praising

those with so much wealth. I feel as if more
praise should be centered on those that give
back. It seems in order to be classified as
successful, I need the latest phone, coolest car,
and biggest house; when in reality that is not
the case.