Tl;dr

In a world where money rules almost everything, a bigger amount of money will bring you a bigger amount of choices and possibilities. Using these possibilities well, you will be able to increase your happiness.

Body

Last week I, in my very early 20’s, started a master’s programme in a certain branch of ICT in which there is a big demand, but not that many people with the proper skills. It is one of the best programmes in the world concerning this branch of ICT and attracts a lot of foreign students from all over the world, which I found awesome. I loved working on my projects in the past, solving practical problems and actually being able to help people with my work. Obviously the fact that it is relatively easy to get a (good paid) job in this branch plays an important secondary role in my choice. Last week I had an introduction week where part of the schedule was visiting multiple businesses related to the certain branch I am planning to work in in the future. To be honest, I did not know what to expect from it and just figured it would be awesome anyway because they always have free food and drinks at these kind of events. Maybe I would do some networking as well, since I am not really sure yet at which company I want to work, only that I want to go abroad in a few years (preferably North-America). In short, I went into these completely blank, just seeing what would happen.

I was blown away by how thirsty these businesses where for new, young, innovative people to work for their company. They almost laid down a red carpet for us, if you know what I mean. At every business I made sure I talked I talked to the CEO or Head Manager of the related division of the company to get their business cards and get more information on salary and opportunities in relation to internships and getting jobs. The response I got back blew me away. On average, I should expect to get paid 90-120k in the future and “should not be worried about being unemployed for the next 10 years for sure”. Having a good paid job that I am also passionate about? Fuck yeah, my future is going to be awesome and I am going to give 110% to make this happen.

On the bus ride home I was thinking to myself how this was affecting my perspective on the future. If things are going well (and they are going well right now) I will be making loads of money within just a few years, way more than I expected on beforehand. But how will this affect my happiness? How can I use this money to make my life even more awesome than it already is? People always say money doesn’t make you happy. After a few minutes, hours of thinking I came to the conclusion this was bullshit. It will make me happy.

I am a person. Persons have dreams. One of my dreams is visiting the United States and making an awesome road trip along either the east or west coast. I would love to go to Iceland and see all the geological wonders there. I would love to have a big ass aquarium with exotic fishes in it and spent hours and hours in making it the ultimate underwater experience. And wouldn’t it be awesome to be able to take my father to the Abbey Road studios and drink some coffee there, something he has always wanted to do with me (both my parents are unemployed at the moment due my mother’s illness)? Or arrange a meet and greet with one of his favourite bands, Golden Earring? I realized since I was going to make a lot of money in the future realizing these dreams becomes way easier. The biggest obstacle, costs, will almost be taken away. Of course I could spent money on an expensive Rolex, expensive car or other dumb shit. But these things will not bring me happiness. I will not think back when I die “Damn, that Rolex was awesome!”. I want to think “On that night in Las Vegas I have experienced more shit than most people would experience in their whole club life. Shit, and that is only one of my awesome experiences.” I realized money is a key that can open many doors for you. Just make sure you open the right doors because you have a limited amount of time to see what the rooms of life can give you.

Lessons learned

  • Owning a certain amount of money will not make you happy. At its best it will increase your SMV, making you get easier sex for example. As we all know, sex only brings short-term happiness.

  • The way you spent your money will determine whether you will generate happiness out of it. If you spent your money only on useless shit like jewellery, expensive cars and useless grand real estate you will not generate long-term happiness. If you, however, spent it on dreams and experiences such as visiting exotic countries you have always wanted to visit, finally be able to get parts for that classic car you are renovating for years now passionately or that ranch in America with 8 square kilometre backyard where you can ride your horse as a cowboy, you will generate long-term happiness easier.

  • More money = more choice = more freedom = more happiness.