What is the magic number for financial satisfaction?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of financial satisfaction and the varying amounts of money individuals believe they need to achieve it. Participants explore personal feelings about wealth, the motivations behind accumulating money, and the relationship between financial status and happiness.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question why extremely wealthy individuals continue to seek more money, suggesting motivations beyond financial need, such as the satisfaction of success.
  • Others express that a modest amount of money is sufficient for their happiness, emphasizing a desire for financial security rather than excessive wealth.
  • A participant shares a personal anecdote about their father's perspective on lottery winnings, highlighting a belief that wealth does not guarantee happiness.
  • Several participants propose that once basic needs are met, additional wealth may not significantly increase happiness, referencing psychological studies.
  • Some express a desire for enough money to pursue hobbies or philanthropic efforts, indicating that their satisfaction is tied to personal fulfillment rather than material wealth.
  • One participant humorously outlines extravagant spending ideas, contrasting with others who prefer modest lifestyles.
  • There are repeated inquiries about the amount of money needed for satisfaction, indicating a shared curiosity about different perspectives on wealth.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the amount of money needed for satisfaction, with multiple competing views on the relationship between wealth and happiness remaining evident throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on personal experiences and subjective feelings about money, which may not be universally applicable. The discussion includes various assumptions about happiness and financial needs that remain unexamined.

  • #31
I've just revised my answer. I'll take $6,000,000 in 1972 dollars (I don't know the inflation factor) so I can build myself Lindsay Wagner.
 
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  • #32
Danger said:
I've just revised my answer. I'll take $6,000,000 in 1972 dollars (I don't know the inflation factor) so I can build myself Lindsay Wagner.
Wow! :-p

Here I was thinking ... "I only need enough money to supply me a modest house, food, health care, plus enough extra to buy me a Jeep Wrangler (I've had enough of the more practical Cherokee), buy some slide rules, make myself feel good by dropping some money on one of my kids once in a while ... and then you had to go and bring up Lindsay Wagner.

I want $6,000,000, too! :smile:
 
  • #33
Enogh money to buy gas everday without having to sue starbucks for making my coffe too hot:smile:
 
  • #34
Nobel and Templeton prizes are weak these days. You need at least $20,000,000 just to break even. Think about it. You need a ranch in Montana or Wyoming with at least a 1,000 acres. And a trust fund for as much fun as you can handle without ODing.
 
  • #35
Screw this, give me $2,000,000 and I'll toss it into GE or BofA and live off the $80,000 annual dividends.
 
  • #36
$80,000?:-p :-p :-p I hope you're a good dope grower. . . . . :!) :!) :!)
 
  • #37
Dope grower?

Ok just because I live in California and voted for a democrat for one seat last election...
 
  • #38
80,000 isn't enough
I made 50,000 this year and I'm broke
 
  • #39
tribdog said:
80,000 isn't enough
I made 50,000 this year and I'm broke

Stop drinking.
 
  • #40
my total alcohol budget is less than 100 a year.
I buy a lot of electronic gadgets, that adds up quite quickly.
and paint brushes get really expensive.
It's amazing how fast money just disappears
 
  • #41
Man i remember buying a bunch of electornic crap... that is a very expensive disease indeed...
 
  • #42
Man, I'm a student and I live on about $15,000 a year. Take out all the essentials - rent, bills, car insurance, beer, university fees - and sometimes I'm living on rice and soy sauce for a week at a time.
 

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