[October 4, 2025] Can money and possessions truly make you happy? Yes. Keep in mind that money and opportunity are similar, and if you’re wise, having more opportunity can be even better. However, once you have enough money to keep bill collectors at bay, more money doesn’t seem to improve your well-being.
Most of us believe that if we were rich, our lives would improve. They could, but not as much as we hope. The reason is that we would still face the same problems we have now, along with new issues that come with wealth. You might still clash with your parents, uncle, or daughter. You could get divorced, and might even be more likely to do so. Plus, you’d still be asking, “What is my life for on this planet?”
Would I be happy with $100 million? Could you handle that responsibility? Are you sure? Most likely, you can’t even control your current household budget, and you probably live paycheck to paycheck. If you think that someone dumping millions on you will fix your life, then how would you give much of that money away?
A good question to ask is, “Given this $100 million, how would you use it productively?” This suggests that money, or more precisely, how we use money, has a moral aspect. Buying drugs and alcohol is clearly counterproductive, and most of us would agree. But giving money to charities is more questionable, as it depends on how that charity uses your donation.
Such a large sum of money would ruin most people struggling with addiction. They would immediately buy large amounts of their favorite drugs, which are often easily accessible in nearly unlimited quantities. The drugs would be right there, and they would use them frequently. That would be their downfall. Money alone doesn’t automatically bring happiness or contentment.
Having money and using it wisely requires discipline, not resentment or anger. It’s no surprise that nearly half of all large lottery winners are bankrupt within a year. Just because we have money doesn’t mean we understand how to use it wisely.
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Please read my books:
1. “55 Rules for a Good Life,” on Amazon (link here).
2. “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon (link here).
But money makes your life a little less stressful. That’s a fact.
Money certainly makes me happy. Well, maybe I should not say “Happy” because Gen. S will disagree with me. What I think I mean to say, in his words, that money will make me satisfied with my life. No, that’s not it. Yes, money makes you happy but too much, to an unprepared person can kill them, or at least make their lives miserable.
I have a drug addict cousin who inherited a bunch of money. A month later he died of an overdose. Go figure.
Too many bad decisions in life.
— and yet, folks are not able to figure this out. Life is not about making one bad decision that screws up your life forever. It’s a matter of a series of bad decisions that keep on happening. Just look at those with low IQs who continue spending their hard-earned money on stupid stuff that doesn’t make them better or smarter or more employable. Geeshe.
“Money is overrated.” Well, it was a person who is rich in money who likely said that. The point that Gen. Satterfield is making here is, however, very important. Money enhances where you are. If you waste money on trash like beer, tattoos, expensive cars, over-the- top clothes, etc. then more money means more junk.
Thank you, sir, for a reminder that life is not about extremes, meaning money is not needed to make us happy and the reason is that more money only amplifies our good and our bad side. The bad side of us – the evil that lurks in our hearts – can come out and destroy us. For example, an alcoholic with more money will only drink more and likely die from it. So, more money, at least at a certain point, does no good.
More young folks should be reading this blog.
Thank you, Bella and welcome aboard.
Well said, Gen. S. There are alot of young people who have no idea that just because you have money that it alone does NOT make you happy.
Answer? Yes, with a big BUT ……… but only if you are disciplined in its use. This idea is certainly not new, but bears repeating. Thank you Gen. Satterfield. To read more on this topic, please read “55 Rules for a Good Life.” https://www.amazon.com/55-Rules-Good-Life-Responsibility/dp/1737915529/
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