People with this salary are the happiest
Are you the type that always complains about money? That is never satisfied with any salary increase? Believe the science, because more money does not make you happier.
That is because there is a sort of limit to the ideal monthly salary.
Ideal
Look, people who earn 1500 euros per month are generally a bit less happy than those who earn, for example, 2500 euros per month. This is because there is still a significant difference in those amounts of money: you can live much more freely and pay your fixed expenses more easily if you earn 2500 euros per month. But there is no difference between earning, for example, 6000 or 7000 euros per month. The National Happiness Research from the University of Ghent among about 7000 Belgians shows that 4000-4500 euros net is the ideal monthly income. And this also applies to the Dutch. zijn doorgaans wat ongelukkiger dan de mensen die bijvoorbeeld 2500 euro per maand verdienen. Dat komt omdat in die geldbedragen relatief gezien nog een groot verschil zit: je kunt veel vrijer leven en makkelijker je vaste lasten betalen als je 2500 euro per maand verdient. Maar tussen bijvoorbeeld 6000 of 7000 euro per maand verdienen zit dan weer geen verschil. Uit het Nationaal Geluksonderzoek van de Universiteit Gent onder zo’n 7000 Belgen blijkt namelijk dat 4000-4500 euro netto het ideale maandinkomen is. En dat geldt ook voor Nederlanders.
Time is money
If you earn much more than that, it doesn't really matter for your sense of happiness. In fact: someone who has 6000 euros to spend feels about as happy as someone who receives 2500 euros monthly. How come? The richer you are, the more you start worrying about other things.
Money is then no longer that important, and you start to complain more about, for example, your friendships or your family. And rich people experience more stress: they always want and feel they must earn more. They set that bar high for themselves throughout their lives and work harder than is good for them. They do not spend their precious time on their loved ones and loved ones, but more on their careers.
More is not necessary
According to psychologist and economist Daniel Kahneman (world-famous for his books on this), an annual salary of about 65,000 euros is ideal. ‘Above that amount, you simply don't get much happier,’ experts say. ‘Then you can pay your fixed expenses and have no financial stress. That brings peace and relaxation.’ Even more clothes, a more expensive car, more bags or shoes: it simply does not make you happier. After all, with that big BMW, you are also stuck in traffic. And you can only wear one pair of boots per day, right?
So let go of the idea that you always need more and more in life. Try to reach that ideal monthly salary for yourself, say 4500 euros gross per month. And then enjoy what you have. You will become a much nicer person.
