Berlin psychologist explains whether we can be happy with less money

By Anja Opitz

“Yes,” says the Berlin psychologist and author Dr. Wolfgang Krüger (73, “Happily Rich”, BoD, 16.50 euros). “We live in a society where people act like money is the most important thing. But it’s not. And we have to be very factually aware of that right now.”

Happiness research has confirmed in numerous studies that money alone does not bring happiness. But financial worries are very stressful. “If you don’t know whether you can pay the rent on time or buy enough food for the children, that’s an existential threat,” explains Krüger. “That’s why we need a certain amount in the account in order to live happily.”

Around 13 million people in Germany – that corresponds to 15.8 percent of the population! – according to the Federal Statistical Office, did not have that in 2021. They have less than 60 percent of the average net income at their disposal. “These people now urgently need our support as a society, because the current additional burdens are jeopardizing their existence,” emphasizes the psychologist.

But even those who don’t belong to this group face financial constraints as rising gas, petrol and food prices affect everyone. No matter how high the income is, we can afford less of it. How do we manage to be frugal and still enjoy life? The psychologist has the following tips for this:

►Keep a household book! “Enter all your expenses for a month, even the very small ones like e.g. B. an ice cream or a plastic bag at the supermarket checkout. At the end of the month, you should go through it carefully and consider: What can I leave out or change without my quality of life changing massively?”

►Check your inner attitude towards money! “There are people for whom consumption is the best remedy when they feel bad. There are people who use money as a means of power over others. And there are people who use money as a substitute for relationships,” he explains. “These are all patterns that we learned in our childhood from the example of our parents – but which we can break through and thus make ourselves more independent of money.”

►Become aware of the sources of happiness! “Everything that comes with it is important for the feeling of happiness love has to do,” explains Krüger. “The second source of happiness is very good ones friendshipsso-called heart friends with whom I can share everything.” According to Krüger, the third and most important factor is happiness creativity and fantasy: “If I know how to make myself, my partner or the children happy without going out to eat, traveling often, buying the latest gadgets, etc., then that is literally worth its weight in gold.”

A night hike makes children just as happy as going to the cinema, massaging each other and kissing passionately again and again can replace a missed night out – and trigger true feelings of happiness.