Why does spending money make us so happy?

Question

Why do I feel I have to spend my money as soon as my salary is in the bank? The weekend before getting paid is then usually the saddest one, sitting at home having no money for anything. How can I get better with this?

Answer 1

well i think for me it's not just spending money it's what i get out of it that makes me have to spend it

Answer 2

You budget yourself .... keep a little book handly that you work out all the things you need to pay for each month --- take this figure away from what you earn each month .... this leaves you with a total that you can use as you see fit ...... split this money into a weekly budget (with or without savings) and you then know how much money you can just spend each week..... if you don't spend all that money then put it in a savings can (a bit like emptying the small change out of your pocket every night) ..... you'll be surprised how much money builds up quite quickly .... you can then use this money for a special treats because you've 'earned' it by being so good!.....

The trick however is to be strict with yourself..... you can't spend any of the money you've worked out for next week or the week after until that week ..... you can ONLY use the money you've allocated for each week ......

Answer 3

MONEY IS A COMFORT, NOT A FORM OF HAPPINESS.

money makes you want more and more until its a disease.  

Answer 4

the idea of having less money doesn't make me happy whatsoever

just what im exchanging it for

if i get it for free im even happier

Answer 5

We are conditioned for instant gratification.  We get a sense of "high" with the new stuff we come to possess.  But in the longer term we come to regret when we find the our "possession" is not all that useful and the money is long gone.

Make it a habit to save, not to spend.  Studies show that people can (be conditioned to) get the same kind of "high" feeling by knowing they have a substantial savings./

Answer 6

What else is it for?

Answer 7

Women are by nature "hunter gatherers"...we were born to hunt and gather fruit and berries and herbs...so because we dont have to do that anymore we have substituted it with shopping!  

Answer 8

You need to create a budget and stick to it.

I created a budget spreadsheet on Excel (or in a notebook or exercise book).

Very simple, income and outgoings for the current month, (rent,or mortgage, council tax, water rates, etc) plus one for the following month. Open a savings account and set up a standing order for an amount that to be honest you won't even miss after a while. I did one for £100 a month for 3 years and before I knew it, had £3,600 plus interest in my account.

Keep an eye on interest rates offered and don't hesitate to close your account and open another one if the rate drops. Banks count on your loyalty and the fact it's perceived to be difficult to open accounts, but that is not the case. They don't have any loyalty towards you though.

By me doing all this means big bills are never a surprise as I've allowed for them.  

Have never had an overdraft and I clear my credit card every month.

You also might want to look at what you spend your money on as well. You can save a tidy sum in supermarkets by not buying branded stuff.

Answer 9

Sign up for a regular savings plan. You will soon adjust to the new level of available money. At the end of the year, or maybe even after many years, you will have some cash that you can choose to  spend on something substantial, rather than loads of cheap tat.

Edit: Answers Guru is correct. I feel comfortable knowing that I have cash behind me. I would hate to have to live hand to mouth month by month. Also I haven't had to borrow money for many years. That in itself is a big financial boon.

Answer 10

You should be like me, I don't buy anything I don't absolutely have to have. I usually have around $375/week extra, but I don't spend it. You should save all your spending money, especially since the economy is probably going to get a lot worse.

Answer 11

idk

Answer 12

Maybe it makes us so happy because we get some thing new or we just like showing that we do have money we can spend. A way to get better would  just be buy things on sale and only if you must have it. Be reasonable  when it comes to buying!

Answer 13

It used to make me feel happy spending endless amounts on my credit cards and then getting loans to pay off the credit cards but that was because i had suffered with terrible depression for over 40 years, i always felt suicidal, i took prescription drugs in very high doses, i had a few problems accepting and feeling guilty that i was homosexual.

Those times are now gone forever, there is no looking back for me, spending money on unnecessary things is plain stupid, i guess i was addicted but i can get completely over it, in 1985 i passed my driving test and from that moment swore never to touch alcohol again and i used to binge drink 12 pints three nights a week but i swear i never drunk any again, drink driving is madness.

I suggest you face up to life like me, stop spending even if tempted, i have just kitted myself out with new socks, boxers, trousers and trainers all cheap/reduced from the factory shop because i know during the next few months i may be in for a rocky ride financially, i hope to go bankrupt but also have to pray i do not get prosecuted by the police as i could not handle prison life, i now enjoy my freedom so much, i know i have a guardian angel who will help me through the months ahead, i'm very strong and will handle life. Good luck friend.