![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/038f5a40a8b6d06e79b071c1e667ea5d.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
“Money can’t buy happiness” is the kind of thing people usually say after buying everything else. And last week, Elon Musk \u2014 the richest man in the world \u2014 said it too.<\/p>\n
In a post on X<\/a> on Wednesday, Musk wrote:<\/p>\n “Whoever said \u2018money can’t buy happiness’ really knew what they were talking about” \u2014 and added a sad emoji at the end.<\/p>\n \u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 5, 2026 Don’t Miss:<\/p>\n No context. No follow-up. Just a billionaire with an $850 billion net worth, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, owner of The Boring Company<\/a>, building rockets, digging tunnels, and barreling toward becoming the world’s first trillionaire<\/a>\u2026pausing to reflect on the emotional limits of wealth.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, 88% of Americans say financial stress isn’t philosophical \u2014 it’s their Tuesday.<\/p>\n According to the National Endowment for Financial Education<\/a>, 88% of U.S. adults entered 2026 feeling financially stressed. Another 77% said they experienced a financial setback in 2025. That could mean job loss, surprise medical bills, a major car repair, or just the daily grind of trying to outpace inflation with a fixed paycheck.<\/p>\n When asked what they expected to spend the most on this year \u2014 excluding rent or mortgage \u2014 the top three answers were clear:<\/p>\n Trending: Motley Fool’s analysts have built a new lineup of passive ETFs \u2014 explore which “Foolish” strategy fits your investment goals.<\/a><\/p>\n Only 36% said they were certain they could cover an unexpected $2,000 expense. Most would rely on credit cards, emergency savings, or borrowing from someone they know. Others said they’d sell something or use a Buy Now, Pay Later option just to make it through.<\/p>\n And when it comes to how people feel about their current financial life, 41% said it’s about what they expected. Another 38% said it’s worse.<\/p>\n So yes \u2014 money might not guarantee happiness. But in a country where nearly 1 in 2 people can’t absorb a basic financial surprise, it’s safe to say having more of it wouldn’t hurt.<\/p>\n For years, economists claimed happiness plateaued once basic needs were met. But recent work by Senior Fellow Matthew Killingsworth<\/a> at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania<\/a> turned that idea on its head.<\/p>\n In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences<\/a>, Killingsworth found that happiness continues to increase with income. There’s no magic salary where joy levels off. Emotional well-being and life satisfaction tend to rise together \u2014 especially for people not already struggling with deeper issues.<\/p>\n In simple terms: money doesn’t fix everything, but it does make life easier to navigate. And for the majority of Americans juggling bills, debt, and daily costs, more income means fewer fires to put out and more energy to spend on things that actually matter.<\/p>\n See Also: This ETF issuer isn’t chasing the index \u2014 it’s building tools for income, leverage, and conviction<\/a><\/p>\n Most people don’t need a billionaire’s bankroll. They just want to stop guessing whether their card will decline at checkout. That’s where a financial advisor can help<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards<\/a>, 94% of households working with a CFP professional said they feel confident in their ability to achieve their financial goals. They’re not making more \u2014 they’re managing better. That sense of control can reduce stress, build confidence, and turn chaos into something that at least feels predictable.<\/p>\n Platforms like Domain Money<\/a> can match you with a dedicated CFP who helps build a personalized plan around your income, goals, and priorities \u2014 no jargon, no commissions, and no asset minimums.<\/p>\n An advisor won’t make you rich. But they can help you craft a plan that fits your reality, your income, and your goals \u2014 not someone else’s highlight reel.<\/p>\n Because for Musk, happiness might be complicated. For the rest of us, sometimes it’s as simple as affording a car repair without taking out a loan.<\/p>\n Read Next: Professional traders demand transparency \u2014 see why Kraken Pro has become one of crypto’s most trusted advanced trading platforms.<\/a><\/p>\n Image: Imagn<\/p>\n UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily<\/a>, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets.<\/p>\n Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga:<\/p>\n This article Elon Musk, The World’s Richest Man, Says ‘Money Can’t Buy Happiness’ \u2014 While 88% of Americans Struggle With Financial Stress<\/a> originally appeared on Benzinga.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a9 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Whoever said “money can’t buy happiness” really knew what they were talking about \ud83d\ude14<\/p>\n