Fahrenholz 1

Alexis Fahrenholz

Professor Jizi

UWRT 1104

18 September 2017

Double Entry Journal: Can Money Buy Happiness?

MLA Citation:

Diener, Ed and Biswas-Diener, Robert. Can Money Buy Happiness?. Happiness: Unlocking the
Mysteries of Psychological Wealth. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 2009. Print.

he wanted a simple yes or no I feel that there is no simple yes or no answer when it comes to
answer.(Diener and Biswas- money buying happiness. It all depends on the person.
Diener 1).

But what does the evidence
say about how money affects
psychological wealth? Is it a
necessity or a curse? (Diener
and Biswas-Diener 2).
I would say that money is both because money is one of the simplest
things that can change people for who they are and can change their
lives drastically.

It wasnt money that brought Of course this is something that makes them happy. This is
their happiness...they something that makes everybody happy. Even though these people
mentioned the types of things are rich, they are still human. Money does not change that. Money
you might expect from mere just allows them to do and have a little more in their lives than
financial mortals: pleasing ordinary people.
family relationships, helping
the world, and fulfillment and
pride from their work and
accomplishments. (Diener and
Biswas-Diener 3).

earning $80,000 a year were Of course they were more satisfied because it left them more wiggle
more satisfied than their room to pay for the essentials of living and then some. Thus causing
counterparts earning $60,000 less stress.
(Diener and Biswas-Diener 4).

Most of the unhappiest nations I feel that this is due to stress. When you dont have much money,
are extremely poor (Diener you are constantly stressing about making ends meet. Stress never
and Biswas-Diener 4). makes anybody happy.

Lottery Winners (Diener and This text says that a lot of lottery winners did not end up very happy
Biswas-Diener 5-7). after their winnings. But to me this all depends on the person. As
they also said that they had people in their lives leave them because
 Fahrenholz 2

of it as well, but that just shows that they didnt have people who
truly cherish them in their lives.

We know that materialism can Materialism can lead to greed.

be toxic to happiness. (Diener
and Biswas-Diener 7).

slightly negative to slightly I feel that the poor people on the streets of Kolkata feel this way
positive on scales of life because it could be worse. This is brutal to say but some probably
satisfaction. (Diener and think they could be dead but are happy to wake up each day and still
Biswas-Diener 8). be living.

The problem is that the This is the main problem with people who have money. They always
Thompsons want more keep wanting more and are always left feeling dissatisfied.
expensive luxuries and
experiences (Diener and
Biswas-Diener 169).

Individual variation in desire Main idea. Important.

helps explain why some poor
folks are happy and some
wealthy people are not.
(Diener and Biswas-Diener
170).

Each of us must ask ourselves Important.

whether we have become a
victim of our rising material
desires. (Diener and Biswas-
Diener 172).

wanting money and material
goods more than you want
other things, such as love or
leisure time. (Diener and
Biswas-Diener 172).
The problem with people is that they do want material things instead
of love and leisure. But material things can only last so long and do
not express for you what you express for them. Love makes you feel
fulfilled and like you matter.

Huge sums of cash require Very true reasoning of why some people who have more money or
hard work, and materialists materialistic things are less happy than those who do not.
tend to in extra time at the
office and miss out on quality
time at home. (Diener and
Biswas-Diener 173).