I don’t know your specific situation but this is a pretty common fallacy that has been undermined by studies that show that most people do not experience increased happiness beyond income levels that cover their necessities and a bit more (it used to be around $75k/year in the US and with inflation might be around $100k now - I.e. having $5m / year isn’t going to be as impactful as you’d think. Money isn’t a panacea, and “wherever you go, there you are”).
I thought this way too, and then made a bunch of money to the point I no longer had to work after around 35. I can tell you first hand with my n=1 study that more money is not very impactful. You’re still you, with all the hangups and other things to work through. Focus on achieving income to meet your necessities and a bit more and then put your energy into relationships and your health and fitness, and hobbies. More money at the expense of these other things is a fool’s bargain.
As I said, all my chronic stress can immediately be resolved with a large amount of money, since the lack of is the direct cause of that stress.
I appreciate the “money doesn’t buy happiness” advice, even if it comes from someone that was financially independent at 35 - good for you! - but you are making some _wild_ assumptions about the causes of my chronic stress, none of which have to do with my hangups, or hobbies, or anything else like that.
I have had financial lows, with “low” being “homeless at 17” and I have had some financial highs, with “high” being “impactful startup exit”. I have never made assumptions about what would solve someone else’s’ problems, and I would dream of making the presumption of telling them that the thing they have identified as their issue isn’t really their issue.
$5m a year would make me plenty happy, thanks, and would absolutely allow me to focus on my health and fitness, and take up a hobby. Right now, there are not enough hours in the day for any of those kind of luxuries.
I thought this way too, and then made a bunch of money to the point I no longer had to work after around 35. I can tell you first hand with my n=1 study that more money is not very impactful. You’re still you, with all the hangups and other things to work through. Focus on achieving income to meet your necessities and a bit more and then put your energy into relationships and your health and fitness, and hobbies. More money at the expense of these other things is a fool’s bargain.