Money, clothes, cars, cell phones and social status are only a few things that can affect a person’s happiness. Today, teen’s lives seem to be ruled by meaningless objects. Children grow up with the idea that happiness is a physical form they are able to hold in the palms of their hands. Money drives this view.

According to author David Myers, in 2006, 73 percent of Americans said that they would be happier if they made more money; the average American worker makes $46,326 a year.

Material goods give us a false sense of happiness. People may think they are happy, but they are really not. Money has no value when it comes to happiness. According to the U.S Department of Labor Services, as of 2007 the average American spends 5.4 percent of their income on entertainment, 34.1 percent on housing, 1.8 percent on apparel and services and .7 percent on tobacco products.

Earning a lot of money gives off the illusion of being happy.

Some people who work a lot have the mentality that they will have a lot of money to do more things with. People who are constantly working do not have time to do the things they want because more tension and stress is placed on their shoulders.

“If you say that getting the money is the most important, you will spend your life completely wasting your time,” philosopher Alan Watts once said. “You will be doing things you don’t like doing in order to go on living. That is to go on doing things you don’t like doing. Which is stupid.”