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>As I’ve continued to grow older, I’ve now come to realize it wasn’t the travel, eating out, or the things I could buy that helped me to be less stressed, it wa

>As I’ve continued to grow older, I’ve now come to realize it wasn’t the travel, eating out, or the things I could buy that helped me to be less stressed, it was the lack of burden of worrying about how I would pay for X, Y, or Z. Excellent post, and I love this observation. Security is the main thing people need to have a chance at happiness.

nickjj 8y ago
And that security threshold is much different for everyone. For example I'm not happy unless I have at least 12 months of runway to survive in my current state without dipping into long term savings investments. It just puts my mind at ease to know I don't have to think about rent, food, basic entertainment, etc. for a year at a time. Depending on what you do this could let you experiment without having financial motives. This is coming from someone who is a freelance developer for context.
- sidlls 8y ago
  That isn't what is meant by security. Security means adequate housing (where "adequate" is clean with sufficient space for each person in the household to provide some privacy for hygiene, sleep, etc. and perhaps communal areas for cooking and laundry), adequate food (providing sufficient quantity and variety for thriving: neither excess nor deficiency, and not bare minimum), and adequate health care regardless of time frame. What you describe as your requirement for happiness is possibly well above or below what is meant here (depending on your lifestyle).
- heavenlyblue 8y ago
  It’s called paranoia, generally. There’s probably at least 20% of the population of whichever country you live in who can’t have any savings beyond a single week after their payday. Statements like yours downplay the actual needs of someone in need.
hinkley 8y ago
When I first knew my mortgage was going to be paid no matter what, it made it a lot easier for me to take certain job offers. I didn't have to take the safe bet all the time. I'm in a safe bet now due to a couple contracts not going great. It's stressful enough that I'm spending money I shouldn't be on stress relief. But my emergency fund is full again, and I can't wait to get back to doing interesting, new, and/or important things.

nickjj 8y ago

And that security threshold is much different for everyone. For example I'm not happy unless I have at least 12 months of runway to survive in my current state without dipping into long term savings investments. It just puts my mind at ease to know I don't have to think about rent, food, basic entertainment, etc. for a year at a time. Depending on what you do this could let you experiment without having financial motives. This is coming from someone who is a freelance developer for context.

sidlls 8y ago
That isn't what is meant by security. Security means adequate housing (where "adequate" is clean with sufficient space for each person in the household to provide some privacy for hygiene, sleep, etc. and perhaps communal areas for cooking and laundry), adequate food (providing sufficient quantity and variety for thriving: neither excess nor deficiency, and not bare minimum), and adequate health care regardless of time frame. What you describe as your requirement for happiness is possibly well above or below what is meant here (depending on your lifestyle).
heavenlyblue 8y ago
It’s called paranoia, generally. There’s probably at least 20% of the population of whichever country you live in who can’t have any savings beyond a single week after their payday. Statements like yours downplay the actual needs of someone in need.

hinkley 8y ago

When I first knew my mortgage was going to be paid no matter what, it made it a lot easier for me to take certain job offers. I didn't have to take the safe bet all the time. I'm in a safe bet now due to a couple contracts not going great. It's stressful enough that I'm spending money I shouldn't be on stress relief. But my emergency fund is full again, and I can't wait to get back to doing interesting, new, and/or important things.