Hedonic treadmill theory

[BabyFat]

As a person makes more money, expectations and desires rise in tandem.

[youtube]

Anyone else feel like money is completely irrelevant in other dimensions?

 

[ntwhtyouknw]

If only we could say a day in which money means nothing in this dimension.

 

[BabyFat]

If only we could say a day in which money means nothing in this dimension.

Do explain 8)

 

[corpus callosum]

The 'Hedonic Treadmill' is not inevitable and .IMO, seems more likely in the West (or in places which aspire to the 'Western' mode of living).If one is fortunate enough to be in the position where jumping on this treadmill is feasible then one should, IMO, make concerted efforts to save.And avoid endebtedness at all costs.

 

[BabyFat]

 

[Guyomech]

It's true that there have been numerous studies showing that general happiness rises in tandem with income only to the point where comfort and security have been attained. The point about working harder while you can to be able to relax more later is a good point- but most people automatically fall into the make more/spend more cycle. It's a hard trap to avoid falling into. I think it's key to be as focused as possible on the here and now. Planning for the future is important but should be secondary to seizing the present.

 

[Parshvik Chintan]

it has been my experience that the poorer i am the happier i am.

i was raised in a privileged family (large house etc), and everyone in my family was miserable.
i moved away into a poor community, and my neighbors all seem nicer and happier than just about every single privileged suburban family i lived by/met.

its funny too, because i remember hearing suburban families whine more about money than poor families.


i think as our monetary situation improves, our expectations rise.

http://denmark.dk/en/meet-the-danes/work-life-balance-the-danish-way/happy-danes

 

[Pandora]

Listen to the mods (posts above) on this one . . .

 

[Jarl Von Hoother]

Interesting... I remember the times I was the happiest in my entire life was when I lived broke while hitch hiking and I gave away twenty dollars almost everyother day, out of some religuous calling. Where my mind based these linear events that go like this:

a. I had a dream where I was spoken to by Zarathustra one evening who told me to 'seek out'

b. So I travled the next day on foot w/ a 140$

c. I stumbled upon this church service out in the middle of this random forest... being agnostic they gave me a bible which I read every night for three weeks straight and stumbled upon a festival where I tried acid for my first time, hash and ahem- felt... god

d. I gave my bible away to this guy who unknowingly was a murderer... yes and I slept next to him in a motel room too.

e. hitch hiking 120 miles I wound up at this salvation army where this wise black christian guru- beautiful brilliant eyes btw. he quoted John in this hole in the wall room saying 'rich men cannot get into heaven any easier than a camel split through the eye of a needle'

f. since I came from a well to do family... I decided that I'd make a pact and put a 20 bill in this poor crazy homeless guy's bible.

g. that morning I offered my 120$ that remained to a spanish mission charity, they refused but allowed me to hand out free food and milk to hundreds of homeless and took me to their church and JUST FOR ME translated the entire event in Enlgish, gave me grandmas secret recipe for the BEST mexican dish, played volley ball with children ALL night. later they told me I found the key to do gods work while trying to take me as far as I can go

h. so I gave away money to everyone... and everyweek I was given twice as much without asking. I offered it all back, but instead gave it to everybody.

i. by this time I made 200$ a week... I had no Idea how or why... but giving it all away I was equipped with EVERYTHING I needed. and made hitchhiked WELL OVER 2300 miles. SImple

THAT WAS THE GREATEST TWO MONTHS EVER!!!!

too much acid, AND mushrooms hahaha now I think being Christian can suit your temperments in life. just be willing to believe in anything ONLY ONLY ONLY if it has some sychronicity in your life...

life without money does not suck... life without any flexibilty does but, they DON'T have to be hand in hand

Thank you

 

[BabyFat]

Listen to the mods (posts above) on this one . . .

What do you mean?

 

[tango]

It's true that there have been numerous studies showing that general happiness rises in tandem with income only to the point where comfort and security have been attained. The point about working harder while you can to be able to relax more later is a good point- but most people automatically fall into the make more/spend more cycle. It's a hard trap to avoid falling into. I think it's key to be as focused as possible on the here and now. Planning for the future is important but should be secondary to seizing the present.

She means this.

I think getting off the treadmill is good only if you can replace it with something else; otherwise, you may find yourself quite lost in this life. Believing that more money will bring happiness (finally!) gives many purpose and direction, with the added benefit that it might actually happen.

As for the poor people appearing to be happier, you know how it is: hopes dies last. It's the poor who keep the lottery (aka 'tax on poverty') going.