Sorry, it's true: more money and new things don't make you happier

We hadn't quite figured it out at the editorial office. Someone won the mega-jackpot lottery and suddenly found 1.6 billion euros in their account. My dear, how is that even possible?.

That can only happen in America, such ridiculous prizes, because let's be honest: a billion is a thousand times a million. In other words: you never have to work again, you can buy half of Amsterdam if you feel like it, you are richer than Willem-Alexander and Máxima and Meghan and Harry combined, and no yacht, car, or vacation home is too extravagant. It certainly got us thinking, after we fervently fantasized about closets full of Chanel, no, buying the entire Chanel store. Because does it really make you happier if you no longer have to work for your money and can buy everything you see? Not really, experts say. Winning the lottery doesn't actually make you happier or a nicer person. Sorry if we burst this dream of yours.

According to high-ranking officials at Yale University, not the least school in the world, more money and more fancy things don't matter much when it comes to happiness. You always think it will make you happier, but that's not the case in practice. It's a bit how our brain works. You earn 1500 euros a month and always think: darn, if only I could earn 3000 euros a month, then I would be content. If you earn 6000 euros a month, you get used to that and soon want 10,000 euros a month. We tend to always hope and want more, because that motivates us. That creates that drive in you, that drive to get out of bed in the early morning when it's pouring and cold. If you have all the money in the world, you have no motivation left. You need nothing, can have everything. That only works against you. Research by well-known economists shows that you become increasingly happier as you earn more salary, but that stops when you reach the threshold of 75,000 euros per year. Then it doesn't matter much for your happiness whether it's 90,000 or not.

Yes, I hear you thinking: what a silly talk, just give me that 90,000 a year. But it really doesn't work that way. We only think it does. I do too, you know. I think: yeah hello, let me first buy everything on my mega-wishlist. But somewhere I also know better. Just imagine: you buy that huge house by the canal, that Mini Cooper with the matching matte black Vespa, those eight Vuitton suitcases and Chanel earrings and Cartier watches. And then? You soon get tired of that too. You find it normal again. You hardly see that bag hanging anymore. It doesn't interest you. Because what happiness is about lies in your loved ones around you. Having a nice daily rhythm with pleasant colleagues. Having a challenging and meaningful job. Feeling loved and receiving a spontaneous bouquet of flowers from your husband.

So. This does have one big advantage. Now spend that savings this weekend. You won't be happier from it anyway, so what does it matter? You're welcome. And especially don't buy a lottery ticket with it.