Researchers find that increases in the American standard of living have not produced a corresponding change in the frequency of depression and happiness. Interestingly, studies show that some very poor nations score higher than the USA on the emotional well-being scale. "New Price Put on Feeling Good About Ourselves." Janet Kidd Stewart. The Chicago Tribune 12 Sept. 2004. Available from:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/yourmoney/sns-yourmoney-0912value,0,1395141.story

So you really can't buy happiness... a study of college students found that money is on the bottom of the list of would-be psychological needs that bring happiness and fulfillment. What's on the top of the "happiness" list?
"Study: Money, Luxury Can't Buy Happiness" By Michael S. James. ABCNews.com Feb. 11, 2001 Available from: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=116613&page=1

Despite some of the research that says "Money can't buy happiness", a recent study shows that there are ways you can buy yourself some satisfaction in life. Here's how.
"How Not to Buy Happiness." Robert Frank. Daedalus; 133, 2, 69(11) Spring 2004. Available from: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3671/is_200404/ai_n9394954

Science confirms again: You can't buy happiness. Once people get past the level of poverty, money does not play a significant role in day-to-day happiness.
"Science Confirms: You really can't buy happiness." By Shankar Vedantam. Washigntonpost.com July 3, 2006
Available from:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/02/AR2006070200733.html

The economics of happiness incorporates a society's level of happiness and its gross domestic product into the valuation of its worth. This kind of practice has revealed new ways in which a community can measure its value, including leadership, psychological capital, and the effect of beneficial personality traits on health.
"Turning Happiness Into Economic Power." By Karen Kersting. Monitor on Psychology Online [Internet] December 2003. APA Online. Available from:
http://www.apa.org/monitor/dec03/power.html

Happiness can make you smarter? Better at your job? More likable? Healthier & more creative? Learn more about this "miracle drug" here.
"The Benefits of Happiness." By Rich Bayer, PHD. Available from:
http://www.upperbay.org/benefits_of_happiness.htm

It's the economy, stupid! Happiness economists review thousands of attitude surveys and apply high-level math to calculate the satisfaction connected with activities and demographic traits. They use this data to suggest that, instead of focusing so much on economic growth, governments should turn attention to things that cheer people up.
"Happy? Let's Sum it Up." by Stuart Silverstein. Los Angeles Times, July 3, 2006. Available from: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-happy3jul03,0,169138,full.story?coll=la-home-headlines

A university study found that having sex once a week, as opposed to once a month, provided that same increase in happiness as a $50,000 raise. Best check your "happiness" bank account!
"Money, Sex & Happiness: An Empirical Study." David B. Blanchflower & Andrew W. Oswald. Scandinavian Journal of Economics
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~blnchflr/papers/sentScanJEsexmoneyhappinessjune2003.pdf

Stock strategists urge clients to set aside thoughts of stocks for a moment and focus instead on the things that really make folks happy namely love, sex, sleep and exercise. Sound advice coming from Wall Street.
"How to buy happiness. Cheap." Money Magazine. By David Frutrelle. Money Magazine, October 1, 2004. Available from: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/moneymag_archive/2004/10/01/8186560/index.htm

In the past few decades, Americans have been more successful than ever - cars, houses, TVs - they all seem to be getting bigger and better. So why is depression 3 to 10 times as common today as in 1950? Yet another study proves that you cant buy the good stuff - peace and happiness.
"The Real Truth About Money." Gregg Easterbrook. Time Magazine 17 January 2005: A32-A34. Available from:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1015883,00.html

Humans, no matter where they live, what language they speak, or how much money they make, are programmed to be happy. Yup. It's already in our DNA. Some scientists think this predilection for happiness is a way for humans to adapt and deal with our environments. We just think its gravy.
"It's a Glad, Sad, Mad World." Walter Kirn. Time Magazine 17 January 2005: A65-A67. Available from: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1015921,00.html