Does Money Create Happiness? (Part 2)

Yesterday, I concluded that money does play a role in my happiness. It allows me to create a state of well being and contentment (the definition of happiness). And having enough money to provide for more than my daily needs gives me the option to pursue other things that contribute to my happiness.

Is there ever a point where more money doesn't equate to more happiness?  Again, I would say, "Yes."  You could end up trading happiness for more money.  I know that was certainly the case when I worked in corporate America.  I had more money, but I wasn't happier than I am now.  And there are things that I have in my life that I wouldn't trade for all the money in the world.  Oddly enough, one of those things is my cat.  He brings me so much happiness.  Money couldn't replace the joy he brings to my life.  So, although money can contribute to my happiness, my happiness isn't all about the money.  Interesting, huh?

My conclusions seem to correlate with the findings in this CNN Money article,  How much do you need to be happy?

Most people know in their heart of hearts that making gobs of money can't guarantee true happiness.

Then again, most would acknowledge that you need to have at least a minimum income for a shot at well-being - if only so you don't have to scrounge for every meal.
In between gobs and a bare minimum, of course, is where most of us live.
And it turns out many Americans don't think they need a CEO paycheck to be happy, or even six figures.
When asked how much would do the trick, just over half of people surveyed in CNNMoney's American Dream poll said it would take less than $100,000.
Nearly a quarter of the people who took the poll, conducted by ORC International, said between $50,000 and $74,999 would work. That calls to mind the results of a Princeton study, which found that emotional well being rose with income, but not much beyond $75,000.
In other words, past a certain income level, your happiness comes from other factors.