In Life (And Retirement) Money Won’t Buy You Happiness

The Beatles once said that money can’t buy you love, but money also can’t buy you happiness. Financial planners see people from across the entire spectrum of wealth, and can tell you firsthand that there isn’t a correlation between more wealth and more happiness.

Of course, there’s the caveat that having money and assets can definitely make your life easier – both now and in retirement. Adequate funds can ensure that you have one less thing to worry about – a roof over your head, a reliable vehicle, etc. Additionally, money can purchase experiences and things that not only save you time, but improve the quality of your life, from something as simple as outsourcing a task you don’t like (mowing your lawn) or simply allowing you to better utilize that time to instead spend it doing something that you enjoy.

Financial Planning And Happiness

Here’s where it all comes back to financial planning. While money can’t buy you happiness, what it can do (via financial planning) is help you to prioritize your life by figuring out your goals and dreams, and then putting your money to work for you in order to help you attain those goals and dreams, in pursuit of that happiness. Financial planning should be done with the intent to get to the core of what makes you happy, and then to build around that, so that you can find balance in life and continually go after what makes you happy.

By strategizing your finances and making your money work for you, you can ultimately work towards your own dreams every day. And while that money won’t buy you happiness, it can help you to get closer to your goals.

If You’re Not Where You Want To Be

If you’re not where you want to be, either in life or financially, don’t get discouraged. Perhaps you’re deeper in debt than you’d like, or you’re not earning what think you should be for where you are in your life. While finances that aren’t where you would like can definitely add stress to your life, and impact your happiness, there are ways to counteract your financial situation. If you’re not comfortable coming up with a financial plan on your own, working through your finances with a financial planner may help you to feel more in control and comfortable with your financial situation and more optimistic about your financial future.

So yes, while money can’t buy you happiness (either now, or in your retirement) what it can do is help you to free up your time, and perhaps make life easier for you – if you have goals and a plan in place.

Andrew Rosen, Contributor