<p>So I didn’t really read all the replies, but anyway…</p>
<p>@OP, you’d have to live in an ideal world for the scenario you’re describing. See: the Venus Project. Or the Zeitgeist Movement.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, society as a whole has the concept of ‘money’ engraved in their heads; it would take a VERY long period of time before any significant changes are made. We’re taught that we need to get something to give something, so we grow up believing that whoever gets the most wins.</p>
<p>Salary does play a important part in ones job, it really could affect ones lifestyle.</p>
<p>I want to live a comfortable life style. I want to rescue (and hence support) various kinds of animals. I want to start my own business. No, I don’t need a degree to open a business, but I think it would be nice to not only have a back up plan if it fails miserably, but it will also be nice to earn money before opening up said business.</p>
<p>If I ever have kids, I want them to be able to go to any college they want to (something I couldn’t do) and I want to support my parents in old age if they so need it.</p>
<p>I also want to travel quite a bit, which requires money. And no I can’t do it year round, but I’ll love the few weeks of the year I can.</p>
<p>However that being said, salary has never been the first question for me, but the second. It is def. a major deciding point. The things that I would be happiest doing in life are usually nothing more than unpaid volunteer positions. Its not feasible.</p>
<p>I don’t want to be homeless so as long as my first salary covers rent and food and the occasional comic book I am good.</p>
<p>to get women.</p>
<p>Because i work to live, i don’t live to work.</p>
<p>There isn’t a job I would like to do that’s realistic for me to do (I’m probably not going to be able to incite a revolution in some 3rd world country and make myself the leader of it, no matter how hard I try). While I wouldn’t want to do something I absolutely hated, since I’m not particularly interested in anything, why not select a job based on the best salary?</p>
<p>If you have something you really want to do, do it. </p>
<p>And Lethal Fairy… CORRELATION DOES NOT EQUAL CAUSATION</p>
<p>You’ll soon see that that’s a favorite line in these forums.</p>
<p>I don’t know why you are arguing that income is not important and then making the ignorant statement that college graduates have a livable income. You must have not been outside in the real world to understand your own opinions.</p>
<p>I grew up in poverty so I know the stress and unhappiness of living pay check to pay check. Money and debt ruins relationships as well as personal sanity. Once I got into a lucrative job, a lot of my unhappiness simply faded because I became more comfortable with the fact that I could feed myself and pay my bills on time. This is less time stressing out.</p>
<p>I enjoy living in luxuries, having nice cars, taking extravagant vacations, and having disposable income. I’m pretty sure you’d agree if you ever got to that point.</p>
<p>Arguing whether money does or does not buy happiness misses the point. Starvation, homelessness, and lack of access to adequate health care will not lead to happiness. But, once certain needs are met, it’s largely up to the individual and his or her disposition in determining a happiness level. </p>
<p>[Word</a> Spy - hedonic treadmill](<a href=“http://www.wordspy.com/words/hedonictreadmill.asp]Word”>http://www.wordspy.com/words/hedonictreadmill.asp)</p>