Must we really be reminded of the ancient saying, "Money Won't Buy You Happiness?". Evidently we do, and frequently. The fact is money *does* buy happiness if you've been utterly destitute and manage to achieve a middle-class level of income, but after that, money presents a diminishing margin of return. This Newsweek article sums it up great and is well worth a read for your weekend. The key take-a-way paragraph:

If more money doesn't buy more happiness, then the behavior of most Americans looks downright insane, as we work harder and longer, decade after decade, to fatten our W-2s. But what is insane for an individual is crucial for a national economy—that is, ever more growth and consumption. ... "Economies can blossom and grow only if people are deluded into believing that the production of wealth will make them happy … Economies thrive when individuals strive, but because individuals will strive only for their own happiness, it is essential that they mistakenly believe that producing and consuming are routes to personal well-being." In other words, if you want to do your part for your country's economy, forget all of the above about money not buying happiness.

Have a great weekend!

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