It doesn’t bring happiness, no, but not having to particularly worry about what things cost, or whether you can afford an unexpected expense makes a huge differ

It doesn’t bring happiness, no, but not having to particularly worry about what things cost, or whether you can afford an unexpected expense makes a huge difference to quality of life. I started broke - unable to pay rent, eating bulk rice with stolen ketchup, defaulting on medical debts - and damn did it suck. Now it’s just “pay the money, move on, forget about it”. I also extend this to friends when I see they are facing a steamroller, as I haven’t forgotten the sleepless nights, and nor have my stumps of teeth. I don’t do debts, just a hope that if and when I find myself against the wall, they’ll be there for me in whatever measure they can muster. It hasn’t brought happiness, but it has removed one huge element of worry from my existence. I’m still depressed, but that’s independent of any external factors, and I’ve grown to not mind it - being depressed is nowhere near as bad when you have a comfort blanket of cash.