--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: After initial needs are met—enough food…" description: "\"After initial needs are met—enough food, shelter, comfort—there is no correlation between money and happiness. That's a difficult thing for people to b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/610/geneen-roth-3050_believe_after-initial-needs-are-met-enough-food_62826.jpg" --- # After initial needs are met—enough food, shelter… ![“After initial needs are met—enough food, shelter, comfort—there is no correlation between money and happiness. That's a difficult thing for people to believe.” quote by Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/610/geneen-roth-3050_believe_after-initial-needs-are-met-enough-food_62826.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/610/geneen-roth-3050_believe_after-initial-needs-are-met-enough-food_62826.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/610/geneen-roth-3050_believe_after-initial-needs-are-met-enough-food_62826.jpg) > “After initial needs are met—enough food, shelter, comfort—there is no correlation between money and happiness. That's a difficult thing for people to believe.” [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Beyond basic necessities, additional wealth does not guarantee increased happiness, challenging common assumptions about money's role in well‑being. **In simple terms:** Money's impact on happiness plateaus after needs are satisfied. Key Takeaway Wealth beyond essentials yields diminishing returns on joy. Themes materialism psychology well‑being socio‑economics human nature Mood reflective thoughtful cautious Type observation insight When to use this quote - financial planning - counseling - personal finance education - mindfulness retreats Key Concepts needs hierarchy hedonic adaptation value of simplicity Practical Applications - designing public policy - personal budgeting Questions to Reflect On - What truly sustains happiness after basic needs are met? - How can societies shift focus from wealth accumulation to well‑being? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfort/) [Difficult things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-things/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Money and happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money-and-happiness/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Shelter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shelter/) ## Related quotes > [There has always been a correlation between money and art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-de-pury/there-has-always-been-a-correlation-between-money-and-art/) [Simon de Pury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-de-pury/) > [Donald Trump disproved the notion that there is a direct dollar-for-dollar correlation between how much money you had in your traditional war chest and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-whitehouse/donald-trump-disproved-the-notion-that-there-is-a-direct-dollar-for/) [Sheldon Whitehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-whitehouse/) > [Money is human happiness in the abstract.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/money-is-human-happiness-in-the-abstract/) [Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/) > [“Though money cannot acquire you happiness, it does not mean that both money and happiness cannot exist together.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-richards/though-money-cannot-acquire-you-happiness-it-does-not-mean-that-both/) [Stephen Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-richards/) > [Money can't buy happiness, but neither can poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-rosten/money-can-t-buy-happiness-but-neither-can-poverty/) [Leo Rosten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-rosten/) > [Money can't buy happiness, but it does quiet the nerves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-louis/money-can-t-buy-happiness-but-it-does-quiet-the-nerves/) [Joe Louis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-louis/) > [Take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/take-care-that-you-entertain-no-notions-unsuitable-to-virtue-and/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“Love what you do, do it with passion, work hard, and never give up. Money and happiness will come to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-c-kunz-jr/love-what-you-do-do-it-with-passion-work-hard-and-never-give-up-money/) [Joseph C. Kunz Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-c-kunz-jr/) > [Money can't buy you happiness but it can pay for the plastic surgery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/money-can-t-buy-you-happiness-but-it-can-pay-for-the-plastic-surgery/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [It is good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it's good too, to check up once in a while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-horace-lorimer/it-is-good-to-have-money-and-the-things-that-money-can-buy-but-it-s/) [George Horace Lorimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horace-lorimer/) > [Money can't buy happiness, but it will certainly get you a better class of memories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/money-can-t-buy-happiness-but-it-will-certainly-get-you-a-better/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“Do what you love. Do it with passion. Work hard. Don’t quit. That’s how money and happiness will find you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-c-kunz-jr/do-what-you-love-do-it-with-passion-work-hard-don-t-quit-that-s-how/) [Joseph C. Kunz Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-c-kunz-jr/) > [Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/annual-income-twenty-pounds-annual-expenditure-nineteen-six-result/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [... a bad attitude, that the love of money is the root of all evil and the rich are evil and greedy and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/a-bad-attitude-that-the-love-of-money-is-the-root-of-all-evil-and-the/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [Heroism is accessible. Happiness is more difficult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/heroism-is-accessible-happiness-is-more-difficult/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) ## More by Geneen Roth > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [“Most of us are so enthralled with the scary tigers in our minds--our stories of loneliness, rejection, grief--that we don't realize they are in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/most-of-us-are-so-enthralled-with-the-scary-tigers-in-our-minds-our/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [Most of our suffering comes from resisting what is already here, particularly our feelings. All any feeling wants is to be welcomed, touched, allowed.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/most-of-our-suffering-comes-from-resisting-what-is-already-here/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [The relentless attempts to be thin take you further and further away from what could actually end your suffering: getting back in touch with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/the-relentless-attempts-to-be-thin-take-you-further-and-further-away/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I tell my retreat students that they need to remember two things: to eat what they want when they're hungry and to feel what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/i-tell-my-retreat-students-that-they-need-to-remember-two-things-to/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [“When you ignore your belly, you become homeless. You spend your life trying to erase your own existence. Apologizing for yourself. 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When you feel yourself starting to get hungry, sit down for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/pay-careful-attention-to-the-bodily-sensations-that-you-recognize-as/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [The purpose of healing is to live while you are alive instead of dying while you are alive. Healing is about being broken and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/the-purpose-of-healing-is-to-live-while-you-are-alive-instead-of/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [“But replacing hunger for divine connection with Double Stuf Oreos is like giving a glass of sand to a person dying of thirst. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/but-replacing-hunger-for-divine-connection-with-double-stuf-oreos-is/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I live between fearing doom and wishing for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/i-live-between-fearing-doom-and-wishing-for-it/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [Imagine treating yourself with the kindness that you show people you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/imagine-treating-yourself-with-the-kindness-that-you-show-people-you/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [“When you are not hungry and decide to eat, choose a food that you ate that day when you were hungry. Be aware of:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/when-you-are-not-hungry-and-decide-to-eat-choose-a-food-that-you-ate/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [You can rescue yourself. No matter how you feel, no matter what you believe about your worth or your capacity to love and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/you-can-rescue-yourself-no-matter-how-you-feel-no-matter-what-you/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) [Explore all 141 Geneen Roth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "After initial needs are met—enough food, shelter, comfort—there is no correlation between money and happiness. 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