(Image: Chart, and much smartness, from Ezra Klein.)
Several people commented that Americans are less happy than they used to be because they spend too much on stuff they don't need. Which is OK, until you're one of the people who really, truly has less to spend than you used to. @Navov writes:
Sounds good in theory but doesn't hold much water where I come from. I don't have an HDTV. I have a 20 year old TV that struggles to turn on and whose color is now separated into a nice rainbow across the screen. I have a 15 year old car with 130,000 miles on it that is rusting apart. It needs new tires and muffler but I don't have the money to buy them. I don't have a WII and my computer is so old, I can't upgrade the software because it can't handle it. I don't have the latest of any kind of technology. Most of what I own is at least 5-10 years old or refurbished versions of earlier models. I don't go to movies or out to dinner. I only buy clothes when the ones I have have become too threadbare to be worn in public.
What do I spend my money on? Food, mortgage, utilities, as well as doctor and dentist bills, things my employer's insurance doesn't cover (which, it turns out, is quite a lot). It's a struggle to make it from one paycheck to the next. There are no raises at work and certainly no "Christmas bonus". We were told we were lucky to still be employed.
And I'm not alone. Most of my friends are in a similar boat. One friend had to have an auction to sell off things she and her husband had spent decades collecting (like antique furniture) because lay offs had left them both unemployed and they needed some kind of income to pay their mortgage and buy food. And, sad to say, we're the "lucky" ones. I know people who are living in far worse situations than these. Some folks I know can't even afford their own computer and have to go to a library or community center to use one. They are often one step away from being homeless and on the streets.
For myself, I have seen my spending power diminish with each new year. Companies so strapped that the don't give raises, they don't give bonuses and they increase your out of pocket expense for medical and dental coverage. Add to that the increase in taxes and general economic inflation and the same job ends up bringing home less and less for me to spend on the day to day items.
While there are those whose desire for "stuff" (which they've been brainwashed by corporate America into believing they "need") plays a significant role in their economic issues, I don't think you can place that great an onus on that as a factor for the problems being faced by most Americans. You can be frugal in your spending and eschew the fancy gadgets and still not be able to make ends meet.
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Hey @Navov,
Please know that you are NOT ALONE! I used to think that it was just me, you know wondering why I have no money left after the luxury of: mortgage, insurance, gas, water, etc. - were all paid!!! Of course if you listen to the "blathering heads" they'll tell you that you're not working hard enough, "pull yourself up by those bootstraps" etc! Course that denies the reality that those "bootstraps" aren't so old that they might snap off if you pull on them, or that the 60+ hours that you already put in for the week doesn't wear you out and leave you exhausted!! So please, you have my sympathy - but I think we're all swimming against the tide together, it's just the fear of stopping and feeling we might drown that keeps US from noticing that there are others out here with US!!
Good luck and good year to US all, we'll need it!!
I live from paycheck to paycheck and truly the only time I am unhappy is when my children are unhappy. They are mostly happy...so...it's all good. I feel for folks who are losing their homes and their jobs. It happens to be my job to try and help folks keep their property when foreclosure is looming. The banks are crooks and that's a reason for a national unhappiness...so maybe it's not all good.
There was some study that said Americans don't get happier when they make more than 75k.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/07/the-price-of-happiness-75_n_707721.html
I've never made near that, so I wouldn't know. But there it is.
I don't think that Ezra's chart really shows the whole picture.
During the period of 1947 to 1980 most "income" of the wealthy was reinvested into business to shelter it from taxes. What you need to look at more likely is how the net worth of the top 1% grew in comparison to the middle class net worth during the same period.
It will be more difficult but far more meaningful. The 50'ies and 60'ies were great years for the upper classes. Maybe you can look at Cadillac sales compared to Chevy's growth in sales.
I am a Disabled Vet who lives on less than $12K a year. And I am somewhat happy. I have just basic cable, I took my truck off the road and I go to the Library a great deal and get books instead of going out to the Movies. I am happier now than I have been in a long time, because I have accepted the challenge of the amount of money I have and changed my life style to fit that. I still eat rather well, but I have learned how to make things far cheaper with almost no Restaurant Dinners.
Being happy with what you have, as long as your basics are met, is nothing but a mind set. If you set yourself the task of living within your means and buying only what you NEED instead of what you WANT you will also be happier.
Past Generations in the Country could live on far less than we live on now. Far too many people are addicted to the newest gadgets and just want more STUFF.
you are right!! Thanks for your service!
"they spend too much on stuff they don't need" ...... that would be ipad, iphone, videogames, other electronic gadgets, exercise equipments, etc..etc..etc. Wait a minute!! We the people need those stuff! They're American made too, mostly.
I don't even have a cellphone, let alone an iphone or ipad. I think people just assume everyone has those things.
And the economic conditions are going to get much worse than they are now, unfortunately. What's very sad is that too many have bought into the victimization of the victims, and until we recognize that it can only go from bad to truly horrible.
We've demonized the unemployed, the public service worker (i.e. school teachers, fire fighters, police officers, etc.), unions, the working poor, and now we're going after the old people. This time next year there will only be the very rich and those still silly enough to think they'll also be able to share in the bonanza, if they only work a little harder, and if the feds will leave us all alone.
For those, who used to be part of the extinct middle class, it'll their own fault because they just were too lazy or too intent on buying the latest gadget.
Healthy = Happy
Unhealthy + Health insurance = Xtra happy
Unhealthy, no insurance, but having the love and support of your family and friends (priceless)
I used to think those gadgets were important too.
The 'Cross-Over' point looks like around 1985.... What was happening in '85? Oh yes, "Reagonomics" was taking effect! Who would have guessed?
Ronald Reagan, 30 Years as a Democrat, served as President of a Union (the Screen Actors Guild), Divorced Jane Wyman - A REAL Conservative! Good thing he isn't in politics these days, Sarah Palin, the Tea Party, Talk Radio, and Fox Noise would tear him to shreds!
I was the person originally quoted above (there's teeny little typo in the name). I agree, money does not buy happiness. Happiness comes from a feeling of fulfillment, of having friends and family who love and support you and who you love and support in return.
However, not having enough money to get by creates enormous stress and greatly reduces the happiness quotient. Buying stuff doesn't make me happy. But having enough money to buy the things I need (like tires for the car or a new muffler) is a great weight off my shoulders and allows me the luxury of enjoying the other aspects of my life.
The things that make me happiest are the things that don't involve getting paid or spending money, like fostering a litter of kittens for a local no-kill animal shelter, cuddling with my own three rescued cats, reading a good book, or hanging out with family and friends. I just want to be able to do that without having to worry how I'm going to pay for my next dental bill or whether I'm going to have an accident because my tires are shot and need replacing but I just can't afford to do that.
Here is a petition for U.S. federal election reform, so that Congress will obey the people not corporations: http://www.petitiononline.com/PoliTru3/petition.html.
If we act together now, we can still save our country.
Thank you for your attention.
Also if we use-http://www.us.gov we can e-mail the congress and president and let them know of our disagreement with their actions. If enough people will e-mail them daily maybe they will get the message. Or hopefully give some thought to their actions.