Ever wonder if the fabulously wealthy are happy

[daepp]

What do they do every day?

If you're a very wealthy rock star from the past, what do you do when you wake up in the morning. Seriously, I'm sure after a while the sex and drugs must get old. And if you didn't raise a family, aren't into volunteering/philanthropy, what do they do all day.

How do you stay sane without a purpose? Would they have a purpose? I'm not sure why, but I wonder about these things from time to time...

[fingpilot]

They worry about keeping their money.

[hcariss]

The members of Pink Floyd once commissioned a documentary about themselves thinking it would focus on the music and the lifestyle, when the film was finished they were shocked to find that 80% of their time was spent in meetings with accountants and management, and only 20% of their 'working life' was devoted to music and touring etc.
They never released the film.

[Rikao4]

pretty sure they don't sit around wondering what poor folks do..
and when sex's stop being fun & is old..
time for the OD..

Rika

[HardDrive]

I don't currently work.

I take care of my daughter, garden, paint, take care of housework, work on my home.

I study Buddhism, and that has made my life a richer place. Much to say about that, but I won't. I am very different person today than when I joined Pelican, that I will say.

[Gogar]

I'm very happy.














But I, too, wonder if the fabulously wealthy are happy.

[rammstein]

Money doesn't make a person happy, but the stuff you can buy with it sure does.

Racing solves all of that quandry. If I had $200 million sitting in the bank, I would go racing every day. It would never get old. Ever.

[the]

Originally Posted by rammstein

Money doesn't make a person happy, but the stuff you can buy with it sure does.

In my experiences, I've found its mostly those who don't have it who believe that to be true.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by the

In my experiences, I've found its mostly those who don't have it who believe that to be true.

+1

If your an angry person, buying toys just makes you angry person with a nicer car. Ask me how I know. I had 2 Porsche in my garage a couple years back, and noticed that I not any happier. In fact, I was angry that my toys were not bringing me the joy I had anticipated. I'm NOT saying that one can't really, really enjoy having toys. Their fun. But that best not be the only thing in your life, because your not going to have a very rich existance.....

[URY914]

Are the poor happy?

[stomachmonkey]

Depends on how they came by the money.

The self made ones are relentless in their pursuit of more.

I know several people that practice "the religion of money" and they are devout.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by DAEpperson

If you're a very wealthy rock star from the past, what do you do when you wake up in the morning. Seriously, I'm sure after a while the sex and drugs must get old. And if you didn't raise a family, aren't into volunteering/philanthropy, what do they do all day.

Start a trashy reality television show?

[the]

Originally Posted by URY914

Are the poor happy?

Some are, some aren't.

[Danimal16]

Just today: Link = http://www.livescience.com/culture/090515-happiness-age.html

Americans grow happier as they age, surveys find. And a new Pew Research Center survey shows the tendency is holding up as the economy tanks.

Happiness is a complex thing. Past studies have found that happiness is partly inherited, that Republicans are happier than Democrats, and that old men tend to be happier than old women.

And even before the economy got nasty, seniors were found to be generally happier than Baby Boomers. Some of that owes to the American Dream being lived by past generations, while Boomers work two jobs and watch the dream wither.

In times like this, it's clear how age can have its advantages. While not all seniors are weathering the recession well, for many the impact is much less severe than it is for younger people.

Why? Many people 65 and older retired and downsized their lifestyles before the economy imploded, according to Pew analysts. Most aren't raising kids and many are not so worried about being laid off. Loss of income can be, of course, a source of stress and displeasure. (While money doesn't buy happiness, a study in February showed cash can help, especially when people use it to do stuff instead of buy things.)

If you're thinking that Republicans are happy just because they perhaps make more money, that does not seem to be the case. The study that found Republicans to be happier than Democrats also showed that it held true even after adjusting for income.

It's those age 50-64 who've "seen their nest eggs shrink the most and their anxieties about retirement swell the most," the Pew survey found. It also finds that younger adults (ages 18-49) "have taken the worst lumps in the job market but remain relatively upbeat about their financial future."

Not everyone in any category is blissful, of course. Other research has shown that happiness in old age depends largely on attitude factors such as optimism and coping strategies. Add financial planning to the list.

In the new Pew telephone survey, taken in March and April of 2,969 adults, here's how many respondents in each age group said they had cut back on spending in the past year:

* 18-49: 68 percent
* 50-64: 59 percent
* 65+: 36 percent.

And is the recession causing stress in your family?

* 18-49: 52 percent
* 50-64: 58 percent
* 65+: 38 percent.

Now for the good news: A study in January found that key groups of people in the United States have grown happier over the past few decades, while other have become less so. The result: Happiness inequality has decreased since the 1970s. Americans are becoming more similar to each other on the happiness scale.

[gprsh924]

I'm not angry, and I get happier and happier the more toys I get.

[vash]

i would be a great billionaire. i dont think i would change much except the hotels i stay at may improve. i would buy a new, very modest home on a huge lot and do my own gardening and lawn work.

i think the only source of my happiness would to not have to worry about the stupid scchit. i have a broken window, that is agony. my home is falling apart, and i have a "wish list" that is growing to make the house way better. it would be comfortable to move out into another home and fix and rent the existing. that said, i would help others with my cash.....i hate worrying about things breaking...rich people dont..(i imagine)

[the]

Originally Posted by gprsh924

I'm not angry, and I get happier and happier the more toys I get.

I was like that when I was 25 years old, too. Most are.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by fingpilot

They worry about keeping their money.

You hit the nail right on the head...there is no free lunch in the world.

I get up. make breakfast, have 2 cups of coffee and either write or well look for spoons.

Money does not make you happy, it can help a bit though by making some things easier.

Many people think if only I had so much money they would be happy. Then they find themselves still faced with themselves and that is sometimes a rude awakening.

[911Rob]

I agree Tabs, I've got challenges just like everyone else does; the only difference is most people have a real hard time feeling sorry for me now?

I've known some very weathly people and they're prolly the hardest working SOB's you can imagine, even amongst all that wealth? One dude told me, "Rob, you can only buy a steak so thick and lay on a beach so long." Another dude told me that money was just a way of keeping score.

So to answer your Q?; I'd agree that it makes no difference if you're happy or not, based on your wealth. Happiness is the secret to life though!

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by DAEpperson

What do they do every day?

If you're a very wealthy rock star from the past, what do you do when you wake up in the morning. Seriously, I'm sure after a while the sex and drugs must get old. And if you didn't raise a family, aren't into volunteering/philanthropy, what do they do all day.

How do you stay sane without a purpose? Would they have a purpose? I'm not sure why, but I wonder about these things from time to time...

Write poetry, write songs, sketch, bang ho's, surf the net(these are my four main activities whilst recovering from my injuries) go on vacations to exotic spots. Shoot. Lots.

What else does a man need- honestly?