JDMS
Academic Workhorse
A lot of things have got me thinking about money, happiness, and the connection between them.
I am poor, as many college students often are. I do my best to save money and support myself. I take the maximum possible credits at the local community college in association with my university, I work at a lab in my field of study for the maximum number of hours I can, I've gotten a few scholarships, and I do side hustles as much as possible. But unfortunately I live in an expensive area and I'm paying the price for it.
What really got me thinking about money was what happened to me in July. I live in an old home with six other people. The rent may take half my paycheck during the school year, but it's still the cheapest I saw available in my months long housing search. Nearly $400 cheaper than the standard in the area. And I get what I pay for. There's one bathroom and no AC.
Normally, where I live, having no AC wouldn't be so bad, but because of the heatwave in recent years, I almost died in my sleep. My room had been frequently hitting over 93°F/34°C inside, even with my best efforts to close the windows, blinds, and use tin foil to reflect away the lightduring the day, and opening them at night. I have no idea how or why, but my house turns into an actual oven. One night I fell asleep faster than usual (I had been getting 2-4 hours of sleep a night due to the heat) and I woke up hours later to my housemate pounding on my door telling me to turn off my alarm, which had been going off for a long time. Little did I know that that housemate likely saved my life. Upon waking, I immediately started throwing up and feeling too weak to move. I called a friend who brought me to the ER.
It was heat stroke. I was so badly dehydrated from my ceiling fan and a combination of my medications I take that heat stroke got me while I tried to sleep.
Lots of IVs and blood/urine tests later and I discover that I have some muscle and organ damage thanks to the heat stroke. I hadn't even known that was a thing.
My housemates and I were encouraged to leave our house and find emergency housing until the heat wave passed, which we did.
I'm still being effected by the heat stroke and likely will be for a few more months.
I've also dealt with extensive issues concerning my studies and such due to the fact that I have so many housemates. Loud ones at that. It's hard to study and keep up your grades when you have belligerent drunk housemates that spend the whole night yelling with their guests and throwing up everywhere. I rarely get more than 5 hours of sleep a night, if that, even with earplugs.
All these things make it hard for me to not consider where I'd be right now if I had more money. If I wasn't poor. If my parents or family supported me at all,like so many of my friends are supported. I'd be able to afford my own apartment, or at least an apartment with two or three people instead of six. I'd be able to afford a place with air conditioning, so my life is not at risk in my own home. I'd be able to focus on my studies, and get my money's worth out of the expensive classes I'm taking that will help determine my future. I'd be able to give gifts to the people I love in life. I'd be able to help the people in my life who need support, too.
So what is the relationship between money and happiness?
We've all heard the phrase "money can't buy happiness", and in a way this is obviously untrue. Money can certainly buy things that contribute to one's happiness. But at the same time, I do think it holds some truth as well.
How I see it; money cannot buy happiness for someone who's incapable of being happy without it. But money helps enhance one's quality of life, and promotes happiness for those who know how to find it.
I still find happiness, even in my busy, crazy, poor life. I find it in the littlest things. I'm very easy to please, I suppose. A good sunset or book from the library makes for a good distraction from my aching and damaged body. Am I happy in general, though? I'm not really sure. I think I am.
I know I would be happier if I had more $$$ though
I'm just rambling I suppose. I'd love to hear your guys' experiences with money and happiness!
I am poor, as many college students often are. I do my best to save money and support myself. I take the maximum possible credits at the local community college in association with my university, I work at a lab in my field of study for the maximum number of hours I can, I've gotten a few scholarships, and I do side hustles as much as possible. But unfortunately I live in an expensive area and I'm paying the price for it.
What really got me thinking about money was what happened to me in July. I live in an old home with six other people. The rent may take half my paycheck during the school year, but it's still the cheapest I saw available in my months long housing search. Nearly $400 cheaper than the standard in the area. And I get what I pay for. There's one bathroom and no AC.
Normally, where I live, having no AC wouldn't be so bad, but because of the heatwave in recent years, I almost died in my sleep. My room had been frequently hitting over 93°F/34°C inside, even with my best efforts to close the windows, blinds, and use tin foil to reflect away the lightduring the day, and opening them at night. I have no idea how or why, but my house turns into an actual oven. One night I fell asleep faster than usual (I had been getting 2-4 hours of sleep a night due to the heat) and I woke up hours later to my housemate pounding on my door telling me to turn off my alarm, which had been going off for a long time. Little did I know that that housemate likely saved my life. Upon waking, I immediately started throwing up and feeling too weak to move. I called a friend who brought me to the ER.
It was heat stroke. I was so badly dehydrated from my ceiling fan and a combination of my medications I take that heat stroke got me while I tried to sleep.
Lots of IVs and blood/urine tests later and I discover that I have some muscle and organ damage thanks to the heat stroke. I hadn't even known that was a thing.
My housemates and I were encouraged to leave our house and find emergency housing until the heat wave passed, which we did.
I'm still being effected by the heat stroke and likely will be for a few more months.
I've also dealt with extensive issues concerning my studies and such due to the fact that I have so many housemates. Loud ones at that. It's hard to study and keep up your grades when you have belligerent drunk housemates that spend the whole night yelling with their guests and throwing up everywhere. I rarely get more than 5 hours of sleep a night, if that, even with earplugs.
All these things make it hard for me to not consider where I'd be right now if I had more money. If I wasn't poor. If my parents or family supported me at all,like so many of my friends are supported. I'd be able to afford my own apartment, or at least an apartment with two or three people instead of six. I'd be able to afford a place with air conditioning, so my life is not at risk in my own home. I'd be able to focus on my studies, and get my money's worth out of the expensive classes I'm taking that will help determine my future. I'd be able to give gifts to the people I love in life. I'd be able to help the people in my life who need support, too.
So what is the relationship between money and happiness?
We've all heard the phrase "money can't buy happiness", and in a way this is obviously untrue. Money can certainly buy things that contribute to one's happiness. But at the same time, I do think it holds some truth as well.
How I see it; money cannot buy happiness for someone who's incapable of being happy without it. But money helps enhance one's quality of life, and promotes happiness for those who know how to find it.
I still find happiness, even in my busy, crazy, poor life. I find it in the littlest things. I'm very easy to please, I suppose. A good sunset or book from the library makes for a good distraction from my aching and damaged body. Am I happy in general, though? I'm not really sure. I think I am.
I know I would be happier if I had more $$$ though
I'm just rambling I suppose. I'd love to hear your guys' experiences with money and happiness!