Fiery_penguin_of_doom wrote...
Happiness is a 80/20 split between purpose and money. Money can make you happy but, you will never stay happy with money. By that I mean materialism. Every time some shiny comes out you'd want it but, quickly get bored of it and want something else.
Now, money as in economic liberty? You can easily be satisfied with your life if you have enough money to acquire what you want but, you sacrifice the richness of living if you concentrate solely on money.
I'll give you all a little background story:
I come from a rich/upper middle class family. I was given everything I wanted in life because my parents knew what it was like to not have anything and they didn't want me growing up like they did as it was a miserable existence. My father was homeless and on his own at 15 after his home caught fire and his mom was severely burned (3rd degree over 80% of her body) also a majority of his family died in the fire as well. He worked hard, joined the military during Korean conflict, eventually opened not one but, two businesses (a mechanic shop for big rigs & a bar). My mother came from a large and completely dirt fucking poor family. Her mom worked two jobs, slept 4 hours a night for years while the older kids did housework and eventually worked to support the family.
Maybe I'm sentimental because my mom has always told me to be thankful for what I have instead of regretful for what I don't but, I think people can be truly happy
as long as people have enough money to fulfill their purpose in life.
You have a great story there. I apologize if I come off as an asshole/idiot.
Back to subject: It is possible to live without money but subtract basic necessities. Because of course one cannot live without food and so one needs money but does not need it to be happy. But then again, most people these days just need "stuff". The ones who can afford them would like to enjoy the luxury of objects such as electronics or clothes. Therefore today's society makes it harder to live without buying anything they want and not need.