Money Can't Buy Happiness, Except For When It Can...

Most of us graduate college with one goal: get a job to survive and/or provide. We work?—?many of us following our personal passions?—?with the ultimate goal of living comfortably, covering our expenses, and (more and more) paying off our pesky college debt. And we all hear along the way that money can’t buy happiness. Or rephrased by The Beatles, “Can’t buy me love…”

Yet many of us work much more than we need to. Workplace cultures like Amazon.com thrive on long-hours, late-nights, and going the extra mile.

So, let’s say you made your “extra buck” this year. What are you going to do with it? Can you actually buy happiness before the end of the year?

My answer: YES. And here’s how.

Give.

Multiple studies have shown that giving money to charity prompts a euphoric feeling (Psychology Today) and aside from the tangible benefits you receive from giving, just the act itself can produce happiness.

Money CAN buy you happiness.

But giving money to charity also comes with a hoard of other benefits, too. So here’s a quick list of 7 benefits to giving this December:

1. Perks. Nearly every nonprofit will offer you some sort of perk when you donate. Give to classical music and potentially get some free tickets; give to the humane society and get some cute puppy postcards to send to friends… etc.

2. Make Friends. I get it, you’re busy and likely don’t have time to meet lots of new people. But when you donate to a cause you really care about?—?or even one that you’ve never thought about exploring before?—?you get access to a whole community of people who are doing that exact same thing. You’ll find like-minded people who live in your neighborhood!

3. Be a leader. When you give to a cause you care about, you are making a public statement in your community. Most nonprofits publish a very public thanks to their donors, and that’s great opportunity to distinguish yourself as a leader. Share about your donation on Twitter/Facebook?—?go ahead, brag about it!

4. Tax Breaks. A lot of nonprofits talk about this, so I won’t spend too much time on it. Long story short… give to a nonprofit, get a tax-deduction. There’s no better way to keep your hard-earned money out of Uncle Sam’s pocket and improve your community at the same time.

5. Do something cool. Every nonprofit is working towards some world-improving mission. Your donation can help support a program you think is just plain cool?—?and perhaps you can even volunteer to work on that very same program. Build an orphanage; put classical music on stage; help fund a new piece of art or film; feed someone in need… there’s no shortage of important, interesting, and life-changing causes!

6. Take your bosses’ money, too. Many employers have an incredible social-good program called “matching gifts”. When you donate to a cause, your employer will match that donation; open up their wallets, and give that same dollar amount (or sometimes even more) to the cause YOU really care about. And if your company doesn’t have a matching gift program, help start one! Designate a social-good officer, and watch as your company’s reach into the community quadruples.

7. Take a leap of faith. The ultimate reason that many people donate to a cause is because they believe in it, and want to help make a difference. Maybe the cause aligns with your beliefs, interests, or perhaps just moves you emotionally. Follow that… when you give, you’re going to feel that euphoric happiness that comes from being charitable.

When you give to a cause by 11:59pm on December 31st, you get to take advantage of all of these perks for 2016, and kick 2017 off strong.

Don’t give till it hurts… Give until it feels great.

A few years ago I was working at a performing arts nonprofit, and there was a wonderful supporter (if he’s reading this, hello!) who completely redefined how I think about philanthropy. Any time he was impressed by something the nonprofit did, he would write a check for $100 and hand deliver it to the staff member that impressed him. Maybe he had a great customer service experience buying a concert ticket, or swung by for a quick coffee and enjoyed the conversation… he would donate each time. These frequent micr0-impact donations made a massive impact on the nonprofit. Not only was his contribution generous, but he was able to help us consistently improve everything we did. He became a partner in fulfilling our mission.

You don’t have to be a millionaire to be philanthropic. Any meaningful donation can bring you the same happiness that a million-dollar gift would.

If your 2016 New Year’s resolution was to find happiness; make it happen! Find a cause, and donate.