Does money really buy happiness?
Discussion
nickfrog said:
That's very true too. I ran a HT in places where it made the DH bits last twice as long!!! But it needs to be strong irrespective.
I'm poor and so only ride hard tail, but once you get used to the back end skipping around you just concentrate on where the front is going. 
Condi said:
I'm poor and so only ride hard tail, but once you get used to the back end skipping around you just concentrate on where the front is going.
I ran a cheap Commencal AM HT that I put together with bits and therefore agree. It was a hoot but I had to put a decent fork on it for the very reason that you mention, ie the front end being critical! It was an early 160mm Yari, but they were £200 then! Good brakes essential too. The interesting questions for me is what would make me unhappy :
(1) Not being productive.
I can't imagine not having purpose beyond leisure. I enjoy my hobbies far more when the time is valuable that when I have unlimited time. I have always worked and lived all over the world and still work at 73.
(2) Worrying about money
I am fine for money and have no debts; if the markets drop that's just life but I will be ok. I do not pursue money relentlessly - it is to an extent the natural result of work.
(3) Idleness.
Even when not working I like to do things. My worst nightmares include resort holidays and cruises, sitting on some beach covered in suntan oil or any kind of guided tour. I only watch F1 on TV, 100% of my annual TV experiences. My idea of relaxation is a 300km/h run on the autobahn and touring the tracks, or offroading in canyons.
(4) Health
Obviously at this age health is a concern and inevitably at some point the inevitable decline will occur. I am well aware and never made the mistake of looking forward to a golden retirement doing al the things I had meant to do. I did everything I wanted to do a could do at the time within my means.
We are all different but for me enough money is a lubricant- does not solve everything but makes it go more smoothly.
(1) Not being productive.
I can't imagine not having purpose beyond leisure. I enjoy my hobbies far more when the time is valuable that when I have unlimited time. I have always worked and lived all over the world and still work at 73.
(2) Worrying about money
I am fine for money and have no debts; if the markets drop that's just life but I will be ok. I do not pursue money relentlessly - it is to an extent the natural result of work.
(3) Idleness.
Even when not working I like to do things. My worst nightmares include resort holidays and cruises, sitting on some beach covered in suntan oil or any kind of guided tour. I only watch F1 on TV, 100% of my annual TV experiences. My idea of relaxation is a 300km/h run on the autobahn and touring the tracks, or offroading in canyons.
(4) Health
Obviously at this age health is a concern and inevitably at some point the inevitable decline will occur. I am well aware and never made the mistake of looking forward to a golden retirement doing al the things I had meant to do. I did everything I wanted to do a could do at the time within my means.
We are all different but for me enough money is a lubricant- does not solve everything but makes it go more smoothly.
nickfrog said:
My most brilliant driving experiences / memories were down to the place and the car in equal measures. Particularly at the Ring.
Same for my cycling, a brilliant day at a Bike Park has always required the right bike for me, which is rarely the cheapest.
For me it's more about uniqueness of the situation, rather than stuff.Same for my cycling, a brilliant day at a Bike Park has always required the right bike for me, which is rarely the cheapest.
One of the most memorable drives I've done, going to Millford sounds in a Mazda 3.
Most of my most 'fun' rides to work recently was having to use my 80 Gumtree find folding bike after dropping my wifes car off for a service, and this was the only bike I own that fitted in the boot. It makes a Brompton look over sized!
Just yesterday, commuting home, had to take the scenic route, stopped about 6 times to just enjoy the peace and quite, after all sun, about to go on the frist holiday aboard for 3 years, and a great day at work, these things don't happen every day. Average speed was about 11mph because how slow I was taking it, but ask me in 12 months time and I'm pretty sure I'll still remeber yesterdays ride home.
Infact thinking about it, one of my best memories with my daughter ever wasn't one that involved spending on a holiday, or a trip to theme park etc. It was a random walk we did a few years back in a local field where we just walked and walked and ended up somewhere totally unexpected.
As a certain credit card company reminds us 'There are some things money can't buy', am quickly realising how true that is, Im guilty of than ending up trying to recreat those magical moments with , which never ever works. So maybe there really is no point in pursuing ever more £££ if it doesn't actually relate to memories or happiness?
Edited by gangzoom on Saturday 28th May 06:10
Condi said:
It is indeed.
Although I am very much of the opinion that experiences are more important that possessions. A 10 year old car does 95% of what a new car will do, and for most people a 4 bed house will do what a 6 bed house will do, but you can't explain the experience of diving in some of the world's best dive sites, flying a plane, skiing down that black run or seeing the pyramids. These moments are what make life special, not buying a new TV or designer clothing.
Sometimes experiences are on your doorstep. I was walking the dog and got chatting to a couple of touring cyclists, panniered up to the gunnels and they'd come from Oz/New Zealand to cycle the "King Alfreds way" .....I didn't even know about it and I like a cycle. Most of us here won't ever do/see that but some will fly for 20+ hours to go and see someone those guys live near but might never see!! Although I am very much of the opinion that experiences are more important that possessions. A 10 year old car does 95% of what a new car will do, and for most people a 4 bed house will do what a 6 bed house will do, but you can't explain the experience of diving in some of the world's best dive sites, flying a plane, skiing down that black run or seeing the pyramids. These moments are what make life special, not buying a new TV or designer clothing.
Happiness is about contentment IMO, an acceptance and appreciation for what you have, with some drive for more (financial maybe but skills challenges etc too), but a realisation you might not get there and even if you do it won't necessarily be what you thought.
The balance people mention is hard, because we are all to a degree set in our ways, I bet we all know people who just kept working even though they could stop/retire, it's in their blood and tbh they may well be happier, happiness certainly isn't a single answer and varies person to person.
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