Think you’d be happier if you just had more money?
We all do.
But what if I told you that your brain is lying to you?
That getting what you want won’t feel as good—or last as long—as you expect?
This isn’t some self-help fluff. It’s backed by science, real stories, and cold, hard data.
Let’s break it down.
The Lottery Winner Who Lost It All 
Meet Billy Bob Harrell Jr., an ordinary guy from Texas living a modest life. He stocked shelves at Home Depot, had a loving family, and by most accounts, seemed content. Then, one day in 1997, his life changed forever.
Billy Bob hit the jackpot—$31 million in the Texas Lottery. Overnight, he became a multi-millionaire. He quit his job, bought whatever he wanted, and felt like life’s struggles were finally over.
But what happened next?
Within two years, his marriage was in shambles. He became depressed, lost 50 pounds, and in May 1999, took his own life.
The dream that was supposed to bring happiness brought devastation instead. Billy Bob’s story shows us one thing: more money doesn’t mean more happiness.
The Wealth Trap: Why More Isn’t Always Better 
Billy Bob isn’t an isolated case. Clay Cockrell, a psychotherapist who works with the ultra-wealthy, has seen it firsthand. His clients? The top 1% of the 1%. People with yachts, private jets, and billion-dollar bank accounts.
Here’s what’s surprising:
They’re not happier than you.
In fact, many of them struggle with guilt, isolation, and trust issues. Relationships get strained. They question whether people love them for who they are—or what they have.
And ironically, even with millions, some of them still think, “If I just had a little more, I’d be happy.”
Sound familiar?
Turns out, we all fall into the same trap.
One study asked people earning $30k a year how much money they’d need to be happy. The answer? $50k. But those earning $50k said they needed $100k. And so on.
We chase an ever-moving finish line, convinced that more money will solve everything.
The Truth About Money and Happiness 
Here’s what the science says:
Nobel Prize-winning economists Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton studied how income affects well-being.
They found that once you hit $75k a year, earning more doesn’t significantly increase happiness.
Your basic needs are met. You’re comfortable. After that, money’s impact flatlines.
In other words, beyond a certain point, more money won’t make you less stressed or more fulfilled.
Why Your Brain Gets It Wrong 
Why do we keep thinking more will make us happier, even when it doesn’t?
It comes down to something called impact bias—our tendency to overestimate how good or bad something will feel.
We think getting a raise, buying a house, or finding the perfect partner will change our lives forever. But it never lasts.
This happens because of hedonic adaptation—a fancy term for saying we get used to things. Whether it’s a shiny new car or a painful breakup, over time, we return to our baseline level of happiness.
Dan Gilbert, a Harvard psychologist, explains it like this:
“Happiness isn’t a place you can live in forever. It’s a vacation destination. You can visit more often, but you can’t stay there permanently.”
Turning Tragedy Into Triumph 
If getting everything you want doesn’t bring lasting happiness, does that mean bad events will ruin your life forever?
Not at all.
In fact, we’re far more resilient than we think.
Take J.R. Martinez, a soldier who suffered third-degree burns over 34% of his body after his Humvee hit a roadside bomb in Iraq.
He endured years of painful surgeries and lost his good looks—the one thing he’d always been praised for growing up.
By all accounts, he should have been bitter, broken, and angry.
Instead, he rebuilt his life, became a motivational speaker, acted in TV shows, wrote a bestselling book, and even appeared on Dancing with the Stars.
When asked if he’d change anything, his answer was simple:
“No. What happened to me was a blessing.”
Why You’ll Survive the Worst, Too 
Here’s the good news:
Just as we adapt to good things, we also adapt to bad ones.
That breakup you thought you’d never get over?
That job you lost?
That terrible news you received?
Over time, the pain fades, and life goes on. It’s thanks to what Dan Gilbert calls our psychological immune system—our mind’s built-in defense mechanism that helps us bounce back from adversity.
It’s why people like J.R. Martinez can find meaning in tragedy. It’s why even the worst events in life rarely have the permanent emotional impact we fear.
The Real Path to Happiness 
So, if money and success aren’t the answers, what is?
It’s about perspective and habits.
- Stop chasing more. Once your basic needs are met, focus on what really matters—relationships, purpose, and personal growth.
- Remember that happiness is temporary. You can’t live there forever, but you can visit more often by adopting better habits.
- Trust your resilience. You’re stronger than you think. The next time you’re afraid to take a risk or face a setback, remind yourself that you’ll adapt and bounce back.
Final Thought 
We spend so much time worrying about getting what we want and avoiding what we don’t. But the truth is, neither the highs nor the lows will define your happiness as much as you think.
Happiness isn’t about life working out perfectly—it’s about learning to ride the waves, knowing that no matter what happens, you’ll be okay.
So be brave. Stop chasing. Start living.
This post was inspired by Laurie Santos' podcast The Unhappy Millionaire.
