Published via G: 2014-03-27 20:27:41
In a series of experiments, we’ve found that asking people to spend money on others -- from giving to charity to buying gifts for friends and family -- reliably makes them happier than spending that same money on themselves.
And our research shows that even in very poor countries like India and Uganda -- where many people are struggling to meet their basic needs -- individuals who reflected on giving to others were happier than those who reflected on spending on themselves. What’s more, spending even a few dollars on someone else can trigger a boost in happiness. In one study, we found that asking people to spend as little as $5 on someone else over the course of a day made them happier at the end of that day than people who spent the $5 on themselves.
My Two Cents
Very simply put - this study - that giving away even small amounts of money - can trigger happiness is wonderful and fantastic.
In a series of experiments, we’ve found that asking people to spend money on others — from giving to charity to buying gifts for friends and family — reliably makes them happier than spending that same money on themselves.
And our research shows that even in very poor countries like India and Uganda — where many people are struggling to meet their basic needs — individuals who reflected on giving to others were happier than those who reflected on spending on themselves. What’s more, spending even a few dollars on someone else can trigger a boost in happiness. In one study, we found that asking people to spend as little as $5 on someone else over the course of a day made them happier at the end of that day than people who spent the $5 on themselves.
My Two Cents
Very simply put - this study - that giving away even small amounts of money - can trigger happiness is wonderful and fantastic.
