Money doesn’t make society happy, but spending it does.

From a capitalistic approach, the returns from working hard is what drives people.

High-paying jobs allow people to splurge, but in order to get there, they need an education — which takes work. In the end, everything truly rests on an individual’s willpower to get what they want. 

Although currency may take many forms, it will always be a staple in our infrastructure. A person who works hard for what they want, has a better chance of achieving their goals.

A theory created by psychologist Abraham Maslow incorporates the importance of money in life. Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs” identifies five levels of human motivation. Each level is more complex than the last and requires each level beneath to be achieved before reaching the top. 

At the base of the pyramid are the absolute basics of food, water and sleep. The second level of the pyramid is safety – employment, resources, mortality, family, health and property.  

Business marketing major Chas Filardi, a future Hornet, said he views money as an essential resource.

At a young age, Filardi said he saw his dad lose a house because he could not afford to pay the mortgage — motivating Filardi to follow a different path.

“I love money. I am so money motivated,” Filardi said. “ I want to be able to buy whatever I want, and to provide for people if I have to. There is a difference between being money-motivated and being greedy.” 

According to psychologist Melanie Greenberg’s article, “Is Money the Secret to Happiness?” in Psychology Today, money contributes to happiness, but is not the only component to the much larger picture. 

“Money may make us smug and materialistic, leading us to miss out on life’s simple pleasures and not fully appreciate the gifts of family or nature,” Greenberg said. 

Although money may positively affect someone’s life, as Greenberg stated, it is not the only factor when determining happiness. 

“People can look at it as all you care about is money, but that’s not true,” Filardi said. “Family is the most important thing to me. Money doesn’t make happiness, but who isn’t happier with a lot of money?” 

The third level of Maslow’s pyramid encompasses love and belonging, which includes friendship, family and sexual intimacy.

Pre-nursing student Angela Sarte said she thinks money could contribute to a temporary happiness, but true happiness comes from family and friends. 

“ I don’t believe money buys happiness,” Sarte said. “I believe it is all about love in the end and having unconditional support.”

A strong support system can outweigh the worth of money for some students. 

“Money is just a piece of paper,” Sarte said. “It’s something you can spend, but isn’t an important factor in the end that could buy you happiness.” 

When money is the backbone of one’s self esteem, there is a disconnect between how society identifies with material items and what truly matters to an individual. 

Undeclared freshman Gabriel Perez said money does not affect his self esteem because he can find a way around spending too much.

“It doesn’t bother me. I can go and buy really (inexpensive) things and make them look good,”Perez said.“I don’t like looking trashy, but I can make due with what I have.”

The highest level of Maslow’s pyramid is self-actualization. It is described as a quest for spiritual enlightenment, a desire to give back to society and pursuit of knowledge.

Biology major Shagufhta Bibi is a freshman at Sac State, and said money is a focal point of society because it is important for schooling. 

“It is something that controls our lives. We all work so hard (and) so much just for money. (Students) are here to get an education because we can get a better job for the future,” Bibi said.

Money is necessary for each level of the pyramid and is meant to be a tool for society and it is up to individuals to decide how and when to spend it. Spending money on material things can only do so much while spending money on experiences, skills and adventures make the hard work worth it. 

Experience is the most gratifying thing one can achieve in life. By parting with money in order to gain experience, we become a society that places more concern on living, rather than our currency.