I’m at a farm in Northern Nevada, spending time with family and friends, in a gorgeous multimillion dollar home with a breath taking view.
As I sit hear drinking my coffee on a leather couch positioned in front of a monster stone fireplace and a huge wall of windows, I wonder can money buy happiness?
Now let me explain. I’ve commented a few times about wanting to acquire significant wealth to buy a big home and all it’s glory. Yes, it’s a selfish goal but one I will accomplish with tons of hard work.
“Dreams are made a size too big so that you can grow into them.”
I want the big house with lots of rooms, granite countertops, bathrooms that look like hotel spas, mass king fireplace, acreage for gardens and my husband’s cattle & horses. I want it all. It’s where I want to spend my hard earned investments.
But it’s not all for monetary reasons. Like this house holds the whole big clan on a visit; everyone couple has there own room. The kids have a gorgeous playhouse/bedroom. The children get to feed the trout, ride the horses, and run around on the tractor. They also get to learn horseman skills and how to fish. The family gets to gather around the large open kitchen chatting up memories. The boys get to man it up around the BBQ and patio. The family concept is awesome! And I would be honored to be that house that gathers my family and future grandchildren in a big ole house.
Can money buy happiness? Well, the family gathering is the happiness, of course. The money can increase it’s fun. And as my goal, I’d rather enjoy investing in it’s material glory for the cause.
Do you think it’s wrong to have such selfish goals? Do you have selfish goals of your own that you want to share? Be fun to hear them. Have a Happy Memorial weekend.
– Money Funk
I wanted to post a pic but WP and iPad are not working together.
Enjoy your time out there, Christine. It’s not every day that you get to spend time in an awesome house.
Sure, having such wants IS self-serving, but that doesn’t make it wrong. I think there’s a fine balance to maintain but wanting a nice house and a car isn’t “greedy”.
Thank you, I am having a great time. well, that is until my husband made my horse run off with me on it. Talk about freak out! I haven’t ridden a horse in eons! LOL.
Least he let me keep the $40 I made from the slots. 🙂
As I see it, I will still be living with my frugal ways post big house. It’s my frugal ways that are gonna help me amass my wealth in the first place.
Loved the article, I think it takes some guts to share ones dreams and aspirations, especially when they may be viewed negatively. I don’t think you are wrong in what you aspire to, I think many people share your vision, but shy away from admitting it. I think we are all entitled to our goals and I don’t think you are any more or less selfish than someone who gives all their money away. Personally, I view the ‘happiness’ that money delivers is derived from the choices it creates. Keep up the great work.
Well, thank you. I wondered if I should, as I don’t always receive an inviting response. I really like the last part of your response “from the choices it creates”.
Now, if I can win at my own self-serving challenge of reaching such wealth and in a timely manner. 🙂
I think money can be used to create experiences and memories, and those experiences and memories are what brings happiness. In your case, it’s having the big happy family gathering.
I don’t think it’s entirely selfish, since you’re thinking about how the family can benefit from it. Dream on!
It is definitely nice to dream! I think it does some good for the soul, too. Darren, what are your dreams that money can help bring you closer to them?
Naturally self serving of course. Yet nothing to be ashamed of. Because nobody is truly and 100% selfless. Furthermore, why should self interests stand against service to others? REAL happiness comes when self interest and service to others are congruent with one another.
Though on a tangental note, the more you mentioned that huge house for the huge family, the more I began to realize how important it is to have everyone around you be strong.
Since I’m a solo act (as we hoarding dragons tend to be) Our domains aren’t exactly glamorous. We just want to protect our wealth.
Though when things get expansive, to oh say, a dozen or so congruent people, then it’s only natural to want such an enormous estate. Though that perhaps wouldn’t pertain to you.
Hey, a big abode is nice, regardless. <3
Hoarding Dragons… Love that! Sometimes you need to find balance with money and possessions. At least, in my case I did. I was stripping too much away from my husband and kids in order to be as frugal as possible to save all that money up and eradicate debt. But I was seeing unhappiness and grumpiness. So I had to give in a bit and find compromise. I am glad we found a middle ground where the fam is happy and I am still making adequate progress.
Now! Let’s see if my kids will even grow up to give me some grandkids for them to play in this big house. If not, I assume I could go travel the world with that wealth. 😉
I had someone comment recently (not on my site, but on another), that my suggestion that people spend more money if it gives them the desire to make more money was selfish and amoral. They thought I was a horrid person, but they missed my point too – that I didn’t say what I would spend the money ON, I guess they assumed it would be a lexus and a fur coat or something (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
But I like giving things or experiences to other people and making more money lets me do that – and it sounds to me like that’s an integral part of the intention behind your dream house.
Everyone that I know that’s really wealthy that has the kind of big place that you’re talking about is a super-generous person, always having people over etc. People like my wealthy miser-dad that would be unhappy in a place like that don’t have that generosity of spirit.
So I think it’s awesome. Dream on!
Yes, you’re being sort of selfish but most importantly your also being honest about it. Also, the picture you’re painting is not one of negativity – you don’t want a sports car to impress other people, but rather a home to nurture and enrich other lives.
I think we’re all intrinsically selfish but some of us are much more in denial about it. I’ve had endless arguments with liberal friends about this who think they’re somehow saintly for buying a left-wing newspaper and eating humus. Anyone of them / us could save a life next week by sending sufficient money to the appropriate NGO. But we don’t (as in, we all send only so much money, whatever it happens to be – not all we could), and we come up with excuses.
Better to be honest and alert to how you can help and share more, I say, then in smug denial.
All in my humble opinion!
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It’s a great quote you highlight on dreams. Love it.
Strive for everything, but stop if it interferes in your joy!
I think money can buy lack of worry, no1, which can contribute to happiness. The big house would be nice but if you have a bad relationship or are unhappy with yourself (not you specifically, you as in anyone 🙂 ) then happiness will not be able to be purchased.
Nice things always bring a little addition to happiness 🙂
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I don’t think it is self-serving at all. Who doesn’t want the opportunity to live in a wonderful home. The thing is, you are willing to work for it. It is totally your choice to spend your money any way you want to. You have a goal, you have a dream, and you have a strong work ethic.
I say go for it!! And invite all of us to a party in your new home once you attain your dream!
heck no it’s not selfish, that’s my two cents. i want a certain level of wealth so that i can shop at whole foods without any monetary restrictions. i want wealth so that i can create options for me and my family, on our terms. i want wealth so that i can help others. to me quite the opposite is true, only wanting just enough to make it … that’s selfish;-). hahaha. chew on it.
I think there is a fine line between bragging and being proud and being selfish. Chances are having money and a nice home aren’t totally selfish, especially if your planning on sharing your home with others. I don’t think I have many selfish goals, but then again, I believe doing things for others makes me a better person. Hopefully, in the future I’ll be wealthy enough to support and encourage other people and causes that I think are important.
goals should not be look at as selfish they should be strive for and celebrated once achieved.
i think owning a big house with all the glitz and glamor will be awesome.
i mean so big your whole family can come over enjoy the common areas, kitchen etc. where you can also retreat and get away for just a bit to enjoy some private time too.
Do you think it’s wrong to have such selfish goals? Do you have selfish goals of your own that you want to share? Be fun to hear them. Have a Happy Memorial weekend.
MoneyFunk-
I do not at all think it is wrong to have these goals. I have grown up in a wealthy northwest suburb of Detroit. My house is average but some of my friends families have these mulimillion dollar homes on lakes around here and get everything that they have ever dreamed of! I am a recent graduate of college and we have been hearing that our generation will not be living as well as our parents or parents friends have. This scares me to death because as you said “Can money buy happiness?” I think that this could be true. If you are at least financially stable you will be able to live with good possessions and live happy by not having to worry about what you are spending your money on.
One of my selfish goals that I have is to own a BMW X5 white with tan interior. Who knows if I will be able to own one and live in luxury one day, but at least a girl can dream right?! I want to live as well off as my parents and hopefully I will one day. Maybe I should marry a rich man? Just kidding. Right now I just need to focus on finding a job! Thanks for posting this, I can totally relate to how you think! 🙂
Like me, you could marry a man who works for BMW. Then you get a new one every 10K miles at an extremely good price (full coverage insurance included). 🙂
It might be selfish but it’s not “evil” and by purchasing said expensive house you’ll generate lots of income for other people, “trickle down effect”.
I don’t think money buy happiness but it does give you choices which can lead to happiness
Love that last sentence. Sure does give you choices… Can’t wait to have that option. 😉
e …i think…money is a good paper…