Money Can Buy You Happiness
March 27, 2008, by christyjones
What was that Beatles song? Something to the effect that money can’t buy you love … but a new study published in the journal Science reports that money can buy you happiness if you spend it on others.
It’s not just a philanthropist’s dream, according to an article I read about the report. One of the researchers said, “Previous studies found a correlation between happiness and charitable giving, but the new research revealed that pro-social giving is an actual cause of happiness.”
Hmm. Money is getting tighter and tighter as prices go up and stocks go down, and the drastic housing situation continues to feed into—dare I say the “R” word? The inevitable result is that fewer people are donating less money to charitable organizations. Yet, the need for the results of all our good works is greater than ever.
Maybe it’s up to all of us to spread the word about this new study. Increased happiness levels are certainly something we all could use in our lives, no matter our circumstances. By its very nature, our AAUW community knows the rewards of giving; we’ve been doing it for more than 125 years. What ideas do you have for telling others about the personal gains of donating?
Volunteering or donation is a act on helping others and giving of yourself. That is happinesssssss.
I have found a way to combine my love of travel and my compassion for giving in one fell swoop. I’ve just returned from New Zealand and it was a wonderful trip. Some of the highlights were the jetboating (doing 360 degree turns), black water rafting (in caves 200 feet below ground), flying on a 6 seater plane to Milford Sound, near Queenstown.. and bungy jumping. The trip was fantastic!
What started as a mere idea in a conversation, turned into the best part of the trip…I completed the bungy jump and raised over $12, 325 for AAUW! I thought of it almost like a dare - jump off a bridge to earn donations, and wow, did I surpass any expectation. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZcMyH8EW1w
Maybe others could combine their passions such as I did to help a great cause. Thanks to all who supported me.
Jennifer Wilken
Development Vice President
AAUW Educational Foundation
Now that’s putting the “fun” in fundraising! What a totally cool and unique (as well as courageous) way to raise funds. Hip, hip, hurray for Jennifer…and AAUW!