People report their baseline levels of happiness. And then they receive this extra small windfall of money, usually around $3. People who purchase basically the exact same items for a sick kid at a local children's hospital report feeling higher levels of happiness than people who buy the same items for themselves. "I think it's important that people actually see the goody bag," she says.
Money can buy you happiness - but not in the way we think. Giving money away - especially to help others - has been shown make us happier than spending on ourselves.
Social psychologist Lara Aknin explains the best ways to spend on loved ones, friends and even total strangers to get the biggest happiness bang for your buck.
And Harvard's s Josh Greene reveals how much money Happiness Lab listeners gave to charity via Giving Multiplier last year - and how many lives you saved.
To give to a charity of your choice and to some of the most effective charities around (and have your donation matched at a special rate) visit: https://givingmultiplier.org/invite/HAPPINESSLAB
The Happiness Lab will return in January 2023. See you then.
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