I had exams this week, which resulted in quite some Study Avoiding Behaviour over the past days. This can be rather a struggle. However, personal experience has taught me that the best way to deal with SAB-induced behaviour is to give it room at set times. In this case, every evening after 20.00 PM, but certainly not during the day.
This is how I ended up watching the first season of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH). Normally, not my cup of tea. But it is almost exam week, so questionable Netflix-choices are a daily occurrence – in my case, at least.
In that first season, everything seems to be going rather well, but in the later seasons (or, if you check the spoilers on Wikipedia, as I did), it transpires that there are serious issues going on behind the perfect, public lives these ladies lead. Such as alcoholism, domestic violence, divorces and even suicide.
The lesson many will learn from this is: money can’t buy happiness.
The fact that these ladies have money to spare means they can see a psychologist without delay
But is that really so? I feel that money does buy happiness, albeit to a certain degree. For example: The fact that these ladies have money to spare means they can see a psychologist without delay, rather than having to be put on a waiting list, and they receive care in the best clinics for their drinking problems. Moreover, once they leave their aggressive husbands, they are able to hire bodyguards to protect them, etc.
Of course, this doesn’t solve their problems, but it does make them smaller and more manageable, which means the ladies would have less stress. This would probably leave them happier than if they suffered from the same issues with only $100 in their bank account.
Don’t spend your money on things, but on doing good for others
Should you be looking for ways in which your money can make you happier, I have some tips for you, based on scientific research and the first season of RHOBH: Don’t spend your money on things, but on doing good for others (tip: donating to certain charities is tax-deductible). Choose many small pleasures rather than a few big ones, and do not take out unnecessary insurances. They are a waste of money.
Emma Mouthaan (25) is a masters student of Molecular Nutrition and Toxicology and is also taking a master in Writing at the VU. Emma blogs on studying and finances on the website The Stingy Student. Previously, she wrote about fashion and food.