50K = Happiness

It seems that Happiness is found when you earn 50k per annum.  Once you get to this level then the odd 10k here or there isn't going to make much difference to you overall levels of happiness.  So, for example, the increase in my levels of happiness with a car that costs £5k or £150k is minimal, as any happiness attained comes from having a car in the first place.

I caught a discussion with a chap called Nic Marks from the New Economic Foundation about this on the radio where he identified five factors that keep us happy.  Here they are:

Connect - Have good social relations
Be Active - Physical Well being
Take Notice - Engage with the World, be mindful of yourself and your own needs
Keep learning - not necessarily academically, but be curious...learn an instrument or learn how to cook a new dish
Give - Give away that which you have.

I'd just had a conversation with a person about life balance when I was listening to this and it struck me how close to this is to some of the ancient monastic rhythms.