Everything But Money excerpt: How much money do you need to not be stressed out? [Video]

Photo courtesy of Jessica Moorhouse

As author Jason Vitug pointed out in his book Happy Money Happy Life, “[w]hile money can buy happiness” in the form of housing, food, clothing, health care, necessities and a few luxuries too, “money isn’t happiness.” Sadly, I think that’s something most of us have lost sight of.

Let that sink in for a moment: money is not happiness.

Why are these four little words so significant?

Because they are contrary to everything social media, advertising and Hollywood are trying to make you believe. From seemingly all angles, we are being convinced that money is the path to never-ending bliss—if only you buy these clothes, this car, that house, and have a certain amount of money in the bank.

But that’s just not true.

The joy you get from making a purchase or seeing multiple zeros in your account only last for a moment. There’s a limit to how much happiness money can provide.

For example, a 2018 study out …