Money can buy happiness. There, we said it.
But before you sprint toward a yacht, a five-star hotel, or a deeply unnecessary espresso machine, there’s some fine print.
For years, the popular story was that money buys happiness only up to about $75,000. After that, more income supposedly stopped moving the happiness needle. But updated research on money, happiness, income, and well-being suggests the relationship is more nuanced.
In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin unpack the newer findings and explore why the real question is not just, “Does money buy happiness?” but “How do you spend money in ways that actually improve your life?”
It’s a smart, funny, science-backed guide to getting more happiness per dollar, with practical takeaways for anyone trying to spend better, stress less, and understand what money means for employee well-being.
Episode Highlights

Why the old money-happiness story was too simple
What newer research reveals about income and well-being
Four ways money can actually improve happiness
How expectations shape satisfaction
What managers should understand about money, stress, and employee well-being

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UHo5MdYok2A
Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here. 
→ Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off.
Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox:
→ Sign up for our newsletter and get a FREE chapter of The Uncertainty Playbook.
Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading:

Kahneman, Daniel, and Angus Deaton. “High Income Improves Evaluation of Life but Not Emotional Well-Being.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2010. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1011492107 
Killingsworth, Matthew A., Daniel Kahneman, and Barbara Mellers. “Income and Emotional Well-Being: A Conflict Resolved.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2023. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2208661120 
Dunn, Elizabeth, and Michael Norton. Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending. Simon & Schuster, 2013. https://a.co/d/0aK2M6pG 
Osnos, Evan. “The Haves and Have-Yachts.” The New Yorker, Jul. 2022. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/07/25/the-haves-and-the-have-yachts 

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Management Muse

Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin

Ep 112- How to Spend Money So It Actually Makes You Happier (The New Science of Money and Happiness)

JUN 9, 202634 MIN
Management Muse

Ep 112- How to Spend Money So It Actually Makes You Happier (The New Science of Money and Happiness)

JUN 9, 202634 MIN

Description

Money can buy happiness. There, we said it. But before you sprint toward a yacht, a five-star hotel, or a deeply unnecessary espresso machine, there’s some fine print. For years, the popular story was that money buys happiness only up to about $75,000. After that, more income supposedly stopped moving the happiness needle. But updated research on money, happiness, income, and well-being suggests the relationship is more nuanced. In this episode of Management Muse, Cindi Baldi and Geoffrey Tumlin unpack the newer findings and explore why the real question is not just, “Does money buy happiness?” but “How do you spend money in ways that actually improve your life?” It’s a smart, funny, science-backed guide to getting more happiness per dollar, with practical takeaways for anyone trying to spend better, stress less, and understand what money means for employee well-being. Episode Highlights Why the old money-happiness story was too simple What newer research reveals about income and well-being Four ways money can actually improve happiness How expectations shape satisfaction What managers should understand about money, stress, and employee well-being Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UHo5MdYok2A Get your copy of The Uncertainty Playbook: 14 Strategies for Work Success in a Chaotic World here.  → Use code PLAYBOOK20 for 20% off. Get Science-Backed Insights and Exclusive Perks Straight to Your Inbox: → Sign up for our newsletter and get a FREE chapter of The Uncertainty Playbook. Want to Go Deeper? Check Out Our Recommended Reading: Kahneman, Daniel, and Angus Deaton. “High Income Improves Evaluation of Life but Not Emotional Well-Being.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2010. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1011492107  Killingsworth, Matthew A., Daniel Kahneman, and Barbara Mellers. “Income and Emotional Well-Being: A Conflict Resolved.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2023. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2208661120  Dunn, Elizabeth, and Michael Norton. Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending. Simon & Schuster, 2013. https://a.co/d/0aK2M6pG  Osnos, Evan. “The Haves and Have-Yachts.” The New Yorker, Jul. 2022. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/07/25/the-haves-and-the-have-yachts  Join Our Community & Follow Us:  - Youtube Channel  - LinkedIn - Instagram -Facebook -TikTok - Website