Minimum Salary to be Happy in the US

[@BeatTheBush]

Note that amount quoted here is for PER PERSON. If you have two people, naturally, you'll have some level of economy of scale where you share living costs and will likely be lower than double.

[@averagejoe9249]

All my friends make more than me, by far. I'm perfectly happy though. Actually, knowing that everyone around me is doing good makes me feel better. I think living within my means is very important. Money and material possessions are of this world, not the next.

[@theChef1337]

Id say having a career that doesnt make you feel like you are selling your soul for 40-60 hours a week is much more important

[@ygggaming951]

I've subscribed and been following/watching your videos for a while. Have been doing the "1. Buy Yourself Time" methods but didn't realize it this way. Learned a few things from your videos today. Thank you!

[@BeatTheBush]

Thank you for your support! If anything, one could try to buy yourself time with various services just to see how well it goes.

[@anelinck5375]

Never compare yourself with others. Compare yourself with who you were the day/year before. People who compare themselves with others will allways find someone so be jealous about.

[@didafm]

I'm a minimalist so 50k for me in a low responsibility job is enough. I understand tho that some people want way more.

[@mia-pham]

"Comparison is the thief of joy." -Theodore Roosevelt

[@ygggaming951]

Very true, let others spend their precious time to compare you and don't waste any of yours on comparison.

[@deborahtaylor4576]

Wow...I just experienced a three way synchronicity. Just prior to seeing this video, I watched someone's tiktok where they gave various pieces of reflection/advice upon turning 30. And one was this very quote, which I had never heard before. And I see this comment just as Beat the Bush ( I don't know his name) says the word "compare." This most certainly must be a message from the universe for me.

[@BeatTheBush]

Makes you wonder how one can avoid comparing. You can actively do so by stopping yourself but you cant avoid seeing your neighbor's new car.

[@mia-pham]

@@BeatTheBush According to numerous studies, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness, so while you might not be able to avoid seeing your neighbor's new car, being grateful for your car can make you happier.

[@jnl1959]

“What surprises me most is “Man”, because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he doesn’t enjoy the present. The result being he doesn’t live in the present or the future. He lives as if he’s never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived.” Dalai Lama

[@iceman6518]

TRUTH 🤯

[@La_sagne]

but most men get joy from making money so its not like they werent happy when they did it.

[@miyanagikosaki7808]

I make 2000$ a month but work 11-12 hours a day 5times a week. On weekends i spend most of the time resting so i get enerygy for the weekdays. So sad, my company make more than 3 million proffit a year and only have 20 employees. I dont know why they are fcking cheap

[@cornellouis]

How old is the $75k study? Seems like inflation probably raised it past $75k. Inflation calculator says it needs be $95,599.75 now since the study is from 2010.

[@AGhostInTheMachine]

$95k after tax...

[@-whackd]

He didn't even read the study. The Kahneman study shows that happiness and incomes were not correlated. "Life satisfaction" was correlated with the 75k number, which is different. A lot of people love talking about studies they were too lazy to even look at.

[@asianguyinmd]

A happy life is just a string of happy moments. But most people do not allow the happy moments because they are so busy trying to get a happy life.

[@JohnVito]

Moral of the story: Hang out with broke people to feel good about yourself!

[@NicksDynasty]

Happy now and plan to be happy when I'm wealthy too

[@patriciaduenas1321]

I just love the way you phrace things. It makes me laugh at times, at the truth of what you say. Always enjoy watching.

[@BeatTheBush]

😊 thank you

[@happyb6443]

They should have framed the data in terms of monthly discretionary income … this would help to normalize factors such as cost of living, debt load, etc.

[@tuchus8781]

Money managed wisely brings heaps and heaps of joy

[@didafm]

Well said.

[@minfongwong]

so true; for those says "money is not everything", I would ask them, is there a thing that is everything ?

[@jkimo1178]

I have a friend. They have 7 kids, paid off house, no debt, $60000 salary, and 2 million in stocks/assets…… all done by themselves and before age 50. Also, more should’ve be mentioned about the role of debt and “happiness”.

[@Syntaxstic]

U must live in the us

[@jkimo1178]

@@Syntaxstic Explain that comment please. My point was that you can be financially free and successful with effort, hard work, and being frugal. It doesn’t matter what country you live in.

[@Syntaxstic]

@@jkimo1178 you have a huge economy and you are paid in the worlds reserve currency. It's hard to get ahead in Canada. Our dollar and wages are shit. Land is too expensive to own here.

[@racekrasser7869]

@@Syntaxstic Don't be crying to people with that bs...if you lived somewhere in the 3rd world maybe I'd be sympathetic, but Canada? Please...

[@Syntaxstic]

@@racekrasser7869 I was born in 90 and grew up in a poor family. I do make about 90k a year now, but I'm priced out the market. That's all I'm saying.

[@missdesireindependance5194]

I feel as long as you make enough to live in a good neighborhood and can afford a car and have money to do what you love you will be happy regardless of the salary.

[@GravInducedSleepTrac]

Making more money based on Education has everything to do on whether or not the industry you're educated in is in demand currently or not. My daughter has a computer engineering degree & can't get a job because she doesn't have enough experience yet. However, how do you get the experience when you are NOT being given the opportunity to get it. She has an Engineering degree but she can't get a job in it. :(

[@missdesireindependance5194]

She may have to take a lower position in a company she wants to work for and talk to the manager about being training for a higher position.

[@MrGunfunfun]

It's interesting as this is one of the reasons people think that folk in high tax, high guaranteed services + support countries/regions (The nordics is the most obvious example) are very happy. As there is less variation in income from rich to poor, there's less social comparison, which means people can feel happier for less. Then the money goes into giving everyone tonnes of holidays, healthcare, childcare and education.

[@samkurz]

I raised my son in a rich neighbor hood and we were poor. Kids in area were major drug addicts. My son's best friend had top medical doctors for parents. Their son was a Major drug addict. So long story short, my son started doing drugs with him now my son is dead from overdose and he ended up in jail or prison.

[@vchafab]

I went to a school in a rich neighborhood about 40 min away and yes, there were drugs everywhere and most of the kids I went to school with are losers now.

[@didafm]

Real drugs or weed?

[@sgist7824]

So sorry for your loss Sami.

[@_Wai_Wai_]

It is amazing the Drug problem in the USA. They say there is an Opioid Crisis in the USA. I thought it affected mainly poor people. But seems rich people are now drug addicts too.

[@BeatTheBush]

Sorry for your loss. One must wonder what parents could do to avoid this.

[@Fittnesj]

Insanely good video, it can help you think in another way, because most people spend alot money, brand clothes, brand car, new iphone, exspensive house, all this just to have people view you this way. Also dont have freinds, that live like that, or live in rich area, where people always need to compare to each other,

[@BeatTheBush]

To not run with the herd takes a lot of self discipline.

[@Fittnesj]

@@BeatTheBush Yes, because i always want to buy a new expensive car, new brand clothes, a new phone, a better apartment, more stuff for the apartment, bigger tv, and bed, just to show off to other people, when It really dont mean a lot in the end. I try really think different, get another mindset, "discipline equal freedom", of course good experience memories, is the only thing you have when you close to your dead, so that could be good way to use you money, of course after you have invest alot, get assets

[@cheerios4canaries]

You can strive to make 6 figures and hope to attain happiness but if the 6 figure job robs you of free time to rest, spend time with family and go on vacations with friends/SO because you’re clocking in more than 75 hours per week you will start hating your life and happiness may mean something entirely different like moving to a third world country where people have less but are more content.

[@-.TS.-]

Is 75k household income or per person? Household of 4 would need to earn 300k if it’s per person.

[@wewhoareabouttodiesaluteyo9303]

Kids are half. So it would be like $225k.

[@colorsofavon934]

Hi Francis, I recently inherited some money. How do I mentally prepare to keep my burn rate low? Happy Holidays

[@InspektorDreyfus]

Is it 75k gross income before tax, health insurance, unemployment tax and retirement plan?

[@Omikoshi78]

I learned that money does buy happiness. Not having to worry about emergency repairs is happiness. Being able to quit your crappy job is happiness. Being able to buy time with money is happiness. I think they say this to keep poor people complacent.

[@JK-Visions]

Also its proven that if you have to worry about emergency repairs and or are in debt your IQ is lower because of the worrying.

[@BeatTheBush]

Research says it does buy happiness up to a certain point where you have enough for all reasonable living expenses and then some.

[@businessmanph]

Depends on your liabilities. For example student loans, pets, kids, subscriptions, alimony, child support, mortgage or car note.

[@dancha6170]

Nice outro tune!

[@drjsantos15able]

Better if it's $75k per person in a household, So as a couple $150k would be perfect. After taxes and other stuff, let's say take-home pay is $120k or $10k a month. If as a couple/family you can't live on $10k a month, you guys got problems.

[@느긋탐험]

Don't judge other people so quickly though. Depending on where you live though, $10k doesn't go that far.

[@drjsantos15able]

@@느긋탐험 true but I'm seeing it this way. Housing, cars, and food are the most expensive things we pay for. $5k for housing/utilities, $2k for 2 cars/insurance/gas, $2k for food, still leaves you with $3k for other things a month to live off of.

[@느긋탐험]

@@drjsantos15able well if u spend everything u make then yeah. But what about retirement? And what about emergency?

[@drjsantos15able]

@@느긋탐험 that's already accounted for in "taxes and other stuff" lol 401k, Medicare, social security. And save up $1k for emergencies and that leaves you $2k a month. In a year you have $10k+ in a year in emergencies savings then you can cut back a little on that. I'm using this example in the highest cost scenario. Like Cali or NYC. But the other 90% of the country is cheaper so you will save $1k - $2k in housing a month.

[@didafm]

@@느긋탐험 lol 10k is a stupid amount of moeny

[@_Wai_Wai_]

When you say rich, are you talking about having a high net worth, or high income?

[@CaseyBurnsInvesting]

People forget to account for inflation and the fact that that notion is very subjective.

[@-whackd]

People forget to even read the whole study.

[@AlvaroNeira]

The nicer neighborhood, the less nasty. That's a big selling point for me, although you are right. When I had my house in Virginia, I think most people in my block or nearby seemed richer. I was aware of it.

[@AlvaroNeira]

@@zloungeact assholes in a different way. In the hood, bullets holes on the wall, “senseless” killing, getting mugged. In the better off area, getting sued, I am sure other examples.

[@mitchell.9632]

On the higher education a possibility is a lot of the higher education people don't see all their income because of all that student debt repayments

[@Starfish6]

Hey Francis, I have a question.I am in the process of obtaining my Property Management Certificate.This will allow me to save money on rent and also give me an extra income.What is your advise based on the scenario that was given?

[@BeatTheBush]

Hmmm, I have no experience actually doing it but I’m all for saving more money on rent. Look at time you use to manage the property and calculate your hourly wages. It should be more than your regular job to be worth it.

[@Starfish6]

@@BeatTheBush thank your for your advise.. Much appreciated 👍

[@hailandfire1822]

AT&T currently has an 8.75% dividend. Therefore, just buy 36,044 shares. $75,000 a year in dividends. You're welcome.

[@jnl1959]

What role, in your opinion, does spirituality play in being truly happy? Your presentation misses this point entirely imo. Should it? Do you think one can be truly happy, content or satisfied without some sort of spiritual center? Or, is happiness based purely on your finances and the things money affords you? Whatever your answer, riddle me this: why do children, younger people and the elderly in good health seem to be happier w/so much less (of everything)? Have you ever been truly happy? If so, how does/did that look? Is true happiness an ideal, or is it something attainable in one's life on earth?

[@CC-ru4rr]

Just curious, how much % of your audience / subscribers are from North America?

[@BSNBRYCE]

Comparison is the thief of joy!

[@cashmonyz]

is this 75k with tax after deductions or without tax

[@super610]

Probably before.

[@henrygjean-baptiste3022]

Good stuff 👍

[@thejillykilly]

Where can I get the data for other states?

[@davida6146]

You know how much is the minimum salary to be happy? A little bit more than whatever you're currently making.

[@fogrunr5075]

Really helpful review on the basics of happiness.

[@edthelazyboy]

@BeatTheBush Why did you delete my comment? You don't like my observations?

[@dondp7500]

it is not income. it is how many your expense is "needs" vs "want"

[@fogrunr5075]

Minimum amount of time required to earn the income that gives you the time to enjoy life in meaningful relationships. Sliding ratio.

[@julial3758]

Hm, that explains why im not at maximal happiness . wow 150k >_> ; if you move to a poorer state, you'll be expecting less salary for what you're doing so that won't work out either unless of course you work remotely and make the same amount wherever you go

[@triggerMB]

Interesting video.

[@s28177]

It’s a great study, however it’s outdated. House prices and rents are incredibly high in comparison to the day when the study was made

[@kitcatmeowpurr745]

TRUE happiness is priceless. True LOVE and DECENT health has no price. I could physically LIVE ANYWHERE on ANY income with someone I truly love and had access to decent quality medical services. There is NO income that can "buy" this kind of happiness.

[@BeatTheBush]

But you do need at least a bare minimum of income to supply yourself with basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, internet, and health care. All of those costs some amount.

[@muchotothepoint401]

In California, I would say the Max Happy number is around ~84,500

[@kazi1]

Hi

[@Twestliw]

BUT IS THIS PER CAPITA OR HOUSEHOLD? This is very important but these videos never clarify.

[@-whackd]

Just read the study. Beatthebush clearly didn't.

[@rnt45t1]

Constant comparison is the thief of contentment. I don't think happiness exists, I think contentment should be the aim.

[@tasfayehomerchigma1822]

I live the poorest country somalia for sallary 45dollor per month..I pay fee school 12dollor per month..how can I get high sallary. From horn of africa somalia

[@starfeesh2377]

It’s not about how much you make. It’s about how much you save

[@clydeng87]

i think it is highly dependent on the job.

[@awabalmahi5196]

i keep pairing the word emotional with damage

[@Goldpanda386]

Great video! Can you make more videos on ways to save money with this high inflation it’s been hard to spend money like on groceries recently.

[@wewhoareabouttodiesaluteyo9303]

Invest in dividend stocks that pay more than inflation %.

[@Goldpanda386]

@@wewhoareabouttodiesaluteyo9303 well dividend stocks are for older folks that need stable income. I don’t invest in those type of investments as a middle age person, I go for growth. I don’t like how the dividend are taken from the stock price so will it be slow growth a lot of times so when you sell it’s not great return.

[@wewhoareabouttodiesaluteyo9303]

@@Goldpanda386 I use beyond meat , biontech, and Tesla as good examples. Had I invested my stimulus in each of those, I would have had a lot more $ than just investing a stimulus in ORC. BYND went up 5x, TSLA like 10x, and Biontech (BNTX) like 10x.

[@missdesireindependance5194]

There are grocery apps you can use to get cash back.

[@grantguy8933]

Define happy.

[@-whackd]

They do in the study. Life evaluation is clearly not happiness, but emotional well being was tested by text messaging people throughout the day and asking them how they feel on a scale from 1 to 10.

[@JohnSmith-ps7hf]

Minimum Happy salary : 100k Minimum FI / FU number : 2.5 mils

[@fortheloveofnoise]

meanwhile i make 16 thousand a year

[@makeupgirl8886]

LOVE your creepy grin :-)

[@khensley7057]

disagree with Princeton. 75k is low for individual. That study is way outdated

[@steadymobbin.]

Steady Mobbin

[@TheOfficialUdiyo]

I'm 25, single and making $80k a year. Not really happy. I hate having a boss, I'd rather be building my own dream.

[@daves-selfie-wilderness-raves]

I live very happily on 33,000 AUD per year.

[@adammorra3813]

If you think money doesn't buy happiness, try being poor.

[@overactiveunderachiever7407]

I'm on social security only. I'm content. But I guess I could be really happy with 75k..

[@inhawaii4941]

$203k in Hawaii wow

[@starwreck]

cost of living in eastern europe is a lot lower than the west

[@armandol1826]

At least net 150k. I'm in Santa monica

[@drumdad1242]

Another great video Mr. Bush! I've always wondered how you came up with that name for your channel.

[@karil6461]

I think he said in one of his videos he ment beat around the bush but got the phrase wrong?

[@curtisgregory517]

@@karil6461 that mistake, brings a lot of traffic to his channel, so many come here wanting to see him beat the bush, so he does not complain or change his title.

[@OnTheEdgex23]

I make 200K. I’m the breadwinner and the sole provider for my parents brother and sister. I think it’s the perfect amount for me at this point

[@kitcatmeowpurr745]

This amount of income is meaningless without considering housing and transportation expenses. $67K of income while living in your parent's gifted house or a trailer with no mortgage on low rent land, makes it a lot easier to be happy vs housing and transportation expenses in any liberal state or city.

[@BeatTheBush]

I think this minimum assumes you have to rent or pay mortgage still as that is the general reality for most Americans. So if you have a paid off house, you might be able to subtract that amount of cost from the minimum to be happy.

[@kitcatmeowpurr745]

@@BeatTheBush of course most people must pay rent/mortgage regardless of their economic status or no matter what city they live in. I was responding to the study you discussed claiming using $67K annual income and "happiness, etc." I was saying that NUMBERS or income vs actual regional costs are what matters. Any arbitrary number is irrevelent without dicussing monthly housing, food and transportation expenses for that CITY/STATE. The cost of living and salaries are a LOT lower in rural areas vs major cities in America. Here the average home approx $700K to $900K however in some states many homes cost $50K to $100K. So that is what I was saying about $67K buys happiness? Ok, WHERE ?

[@kingming869]

One of the biggest mistake people make is the more money they make, the more they spend. And at the end of the day they end up in the same situation, (nearly living paycheck to paycheck). It's such a bad habit. I was fortunate enough to get a job promotion this year, and earn quite a bit of money in Crypto this year. But if not most of it gets distributed right back into my investments (Real estate, crypto, Stocks, etc, bonds..etc) You are absolutely correct that don't try to "Keep up with the joneses". At the end of the day it is good feeling knowing that you got more than just a safety net, by living the "somewhat minimalist life"

[@fortheloveofnoise]

i make around 16k a year to be able to get my insurance for free, i could make 30k....but then I would have to pay for insurance and it would be like I made less than 20k 😅

[@blackenedvirgil]

I feel like if you buy a Tesla Roadster you'd be happy for at least a year or two lol

[@jeffdorris5321]

Lets go 💪

[@starwreck]

100g

[@happygenerously6008]

See I just want to make 50k a year and I'm good with that same thing with my wife she wants to make 40k a year so that would be 90k for us a year and live frugal have our house payed off have a few properties and save our money nothing too crazy I don't want to keep up with the joneses that ain't it for me I just don't want to die poor.

[@kauigirl808]

I just wanna save as I can because I started so late.

[@La_sagne]

if you make a lot, but people around you make more: invest - so your overall income will rise

[@DoveDaniels]

this is amazing to note...

[@Mr_Banker222]

Love my job, I’m a little over 50k and I’m content

[@sobbyk1]

There were no stats for Southern Africa? Should we unsubscribe.

[@abhijitharakali]

Yeah right ... move to a cheaper country and you will be happier 😀. Take it from someone who is living in one such country ... it's a bitch. Unless there is a pressing reason to move out of US, there's no point in going to another country. I know many Californians who moved to South America for retirement because they did not have enough life savings.

[@annajones9701]

$250k for me

[@BKDDY]

minimum wage

[@Boss365_allday]

🙂🙂

[@freddyalways1991]

I need 💯 k lol

[@martinlutherkingjr.5582]

This kind of analysis doesn’t really work because of the complexity in how people react. It would make sense for animals incapable of complex thinking.

[@loopba]

$690

[@social3ngin33rin]

Hell, I wish I could make 6 figures lol

[@RE2PECT]

Nahhh I need as much money as possible lmao

[@RE2PECT]

100k after taxes should be good lmao

[@BeatTheBush]

Where tho? Cost of living vary widely.

[@wifi2166]

so women need more money than men to be happy??? that says alot...

[@gwentchamp8720]

I need a Ferrari in order to be happy. Unfortunately, my salary does not permit that yet 😂