Money Can't Buy You Love

Money Can’t Buy You Love

By Katrina Cloutier

Everyone has heard of the saying that money can’t buy you love or that money can’t buy you happiness. Many have been fooled by the illusion that money can get you just that.

         Consumption is a huge problem that is affecting our environment everyday. Today consumption is about maintaining a social status or trying to achieve a social status. Trying to keep up with appearances by spending money all the time on stuff that makes us happy only temporarily then repeating the same step over and over again is ruining lives. It is said that happier people consume less, however today in advertising we are told just the opposite. Big corporations profit the most from over-consumption and maximize on the idea that if we spend more the happier we will be. When we over spend it gives us this false sense of illusion that we are wealthy and by over spending it is proof of our success and everything we have achieved. In actuality we are spending more than what we can afford. We are taught and brainwashed that the action of buying and overspending is more satisfying than the actual use of the product.

         Over-consumption is the key to short-term happiness. We are very excited and joyful when buying a product we can’t afford and don’t actually need however it makes us extremely happy for that small period of time. On the opposite side when people consume less they are happier. Happier people are often found to consume less. Its like a high, you need it over and over again in order to feel happy. While families that have less and consume less are appreciative of what they have. They’re just so thankful to have what little that they have that it makes them happier people in the end. The people who over-consume are spoiled and after awhile don’t see how fortunate they actually are.

         When children grow up with a family that over-consumes that child will end up the same way. Learning at a young age to be thankful for what you have can change a child’s outlook on life. Some things I think parents should do are lead by example and teach their children how fortunate they really are and it will make them happier. Something else individuals can do to be happier is giving to the less fortunate. Seeing someone who has less than you can be very eye opening. It can change a person. Donating and giving away can be a very rewarding experience because it is hands on learning about a different type of life.

         Leading by example cannot only make your family happier but everyone else around you happier too. Encouraging and inspiring others is what matters most. Consuming less and giving more is the key to a balanced and happier life.