Subtoot/hot take; money *can* buy you happiness because money is protection in this society, and gets you experiences (Stuff isn’t experiences, but some experiences require Stuff). At some point money doesn’t; travel, good meals, medical care, a good home, maybe your own boat, etc is basically the same whether you’re making a 6 or 9 digit salary. I suspect being poor is similar (there’s only so much better off you really are) and it’s actually a bell curve.