The Pursuit of Happiness and The Reach of Unhappiness Boom, Anxiety and Insecurity

"Happiness is not a given. It is a goal. And saving more may help you reach it."

With the downturn of the economy and the near-destruction of the financial market and Wall street, many Americans are wondering what is happening to our country. It goes without saying that economic insecurity has also increased. The boom of the late 1990s created unrealistic expectations. Various polls show that more than half of us are worried about losing our nest egg, our retirements, our jobs. After all, having a job in this country allows one to have not only income, but also insurance.

More money does not automatically improve our mood. After all, money-- no matter how much you have--- is only part of the puzzle. According to Oxford University, happiness is more complicated than wealth alone. Americans are less happy on average than people in less prosperous nations such as Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico. It is not the rich that most of us strive to keep up with; it is our families and friends. Bear in mind that trying to keep up with the Joneses is a trap. In our pursuit of happiness guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence, we tend to compete with neighbors, siblings, co-workers, and old classmates. People's ability to act on behalf of what matters to them is fundamental to happiness.

The key to financial happiness is to start saving. Do not be concerned about what and how much others are saving. By saving as much as you can in your particular circumstances, you will get ahead. You will live a happy life even in the midst of hard economic times.

Greater wealth does not generate more national happiness.