2021-03-26 The Way to Buy Happiness

We have all heard the maxim that money can’t buy happiness. But what if it sort of can? Or at least a little smidge of happiness? Or think of it this way: Let’s say you’ve found yourself with a bit of extra money. What could you do with it to have the biggest impact on your daily life?

The good news is that money really can make life better. The bad news is that we tend not to take human psychology into account as we make our money decisions. Figure out how to spend it strategically, though, and you can buy a lot of well-being for very little money out the door.

First, think about what you do most days. Look through your schedule, and make a list of the constants. We are largely creatures of habit: We wake up and shower the same way each day, we wear similar clothes, we use the same work tools, we eat similar foods, we do the same chores.

For example: Do you make your coffee at home? Good for you. Buy the best coffee your grocery store offers. The price per day is only a few extra cents — still much cheaper than those coffee shop lattes often (unfairly) blamed for financial distress. But really good coffee on a bleary morning can feel priceless. Bonus: Find a mug that feels good in your hand. You don’t have to use the free mug you got at a conference! When it’s time to wash that lovely mug, know that high-end, scented dish soap can make doing the dishes feel more like aromatherapy, and less like a chore.