That quote is "money doesn't buy happiness". I've always doubted this statement, in fact a few years ago Russ and I went to a finance seminar, the speaker, Dave Ramsey, said that whoever coined that phrase must not have ever had any money. It was meant to be funny, and it was, but in a way I agreed with him. There have been a few times in our lives when we've had a few extra dollars to spend (yay for tax returns!) and there is something exhilarating, an adrenaline rush, or natural high of sorts that comes from purchasing something you've been longing for (that is before the buyers remorse sets in).
Although on occasion I have caught myself designing my dream house in my head, or wondered what it might be like to wear designer jeans, I've never aspired to be a millionaire, well maybe once or twice, but I'm fairly content with mediocrity given that lots of money has the potential to create it's own set of problems, and who wants to deal with that?
Now I suppose that the truthfulness of the statement in question depends on how you define happiness. For me true happiness is first and foremost, my family and the gospel, followed by security and convenience, so I guess it's safe to say that the phrase is 50% true and 50% false. Money certainly cannot buy the wonderful family I've been given or the peace I've found in the gospel of Jesus Christ, but it can buy the things that make my life convenient and the security of a home and the necessities of life for my children.
I've heard that money is the root of all evil, but I believe what that statement really means is the obsessive desire for money is the root of all evil, after all, you can't survive in today's world without it.
In conclusion, I believe that the best things in life aren't things, and if I could re-write the quote, it would say "money doesn't but happiness, but it'll sure buy a fair amount of security".
Oh, and by the way, I still hate paying bills.
Money can also buy lots of pretty shoes. Yay for money!
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