Money Does Buy Happiness But...
Today is my youngest son's birthday. He turned 18. He wanted a China budget smart watch. Compared to establish brands, it is not expensive at all. It is slightly more than 100 USD. The cost of the watch was split 3 ways. Myself, wife and himself.
It is his birthday, but I insist on him paying his share. By putting his own money, I am certain the watch is something that he wants and fit the necessary budget. Thus, he appreciates what he gets.
It is not the best watch in the market, but he appreciates what he got. Money can buy happiness, but we must know what the money buys. Today we did not buy a smart watch but his appreciation. Free money does not buy happiness. That's why many lottery winners ended up being less happy. It is when we used our hard-earned money to buy what we want, that's pure joy and bliss. My gift to him is not the watch, but the lesson on spending money.
Do not be ashamed to spent money. You must know where and why you are spending the money. That's how you buy happiness.