4 women reveal: How much money do I need to be happy?

Higher, faster, further - and above all more expensive! We live in an age of superlatives, in which time is more precious than money. But even that has its price. Because not everyone can afford relaxing vacations, nice trips or cozy evenings with friends. So do we really need money to be happy?

Idee für mich
via Sabrina
04/10/2017, 15:36
Sandra (28) träumt von einem Leben unabhängig von Banken und Arbeitgebern.© Christoph Dannenberg
Sandra (28) dreams of a life independent of banks and employers.
Die kleinen Freuden im Alltag ohne Sorgen genießen zu können, ist der Wunsch von Ingeborg (56).© Christoph Dannenberg
Ingeborg (56) wants to be able to enjoy the little pleasures of everyday life without worrying.
Geld allein macht nicht glücklich, meint die 53-jährige Angelika.© Christoph Dannenberg
Money alone does not make you happy, says 53-year-old Angelika.
Anna (28) legt großen Wert auf gemeinsame Abende mit Freunden und Familie, doch auch ihre laufenden Kosten müssen gedeckt werden. © Christoph Dannenberg
Anna (28) attaches great importance to evenings out with friends and family, but she also has to cover her running costs.

What does happiness mean?

How much money do I need to be happy? According to a study by Nobel Prize winner Angus Deaton, the answer is 75,000 dollars. Well, it can't be broken down that simply. Nevertheless, research into the correlation between wealth and happiness shows that people with a salary of the equivalent of 61,000 euros can go about their daily lives with less worry. This means that those who earn around 5,000 euros a month have a better chance of being happy.

Together with the German TV lottery, we asked four women on the street just in time for the start of the big spring special prize draw and they were pretty unanimous. "Money alone certainly doesn't make you happy," says Angelika, 53, PR editor and translator. But she concedes:

I now know that it's a great thing to be able to fulfill your wishes as long as you also think of others.

56-year-old Ingeborg, who would like to enjoy the little pleasures of everyday life without any worries, feels the same way. "It would be nice if I could selfishly have about 250 euros a month all to myself. Oh yes, then a few extra euros for my beloved grandchildren and my cash happiness would be almost perfect," reveals the administrative employee from Hamburg.

Happiness well invested

For teacher Anna, it is important to have sufficient financial resources available in the long term to cover her running costs. But the 28-year-old would also know how to use any money beyond that:

Cooking evenings with friends or family - for me, that's happiness well invested.

Sandra from Hamburg wants independence. The site manager of a software company also thinks that "happiness is difficult to measure in terms of money", but financial security is an important part of our society. "I could do with a larger sum, like 600,000 euros, to afford a condominium, provide for my family and have enough for leisure and travel," admits the 28-year-old.

The big spring special prize draw

The Deutsche Fernsehlotterie's big spring special prize draw will help you get lucky. Until May 15, 2017, there are great extra prizes up for grabs, such as the chance to win an instant pension of up to 5,000 euros a month or 10,000 euros extra money for small and big wishes. You can find everything you need to know about taking part and other great prizes here.