FINANCIAL SUCCESS OR PEACE OF MIND: WHAT COMES FIRST?

Ask any Indian parent what they want for their child, and the answer often comes with warmth and simplicity: "Bas khush raho beta" (Just be happy, my child).

- SIMARJEET SINGH & HARDEEP SINGH MUNDI

But behind this familiar wish lies a deeper truth. In many families, happiness is tied to financial milestones—a good job, a home, a secure future. So, the real question is: Does money bring happiness, or does happiness pave the way to financial success?

Chicken-and-egg paradox: money and happiness

For decades, economists and psychologists have tried to unravel the link between money and happiness. The relationship isn't as straightforward as once thought. Financial stability can lower stress, improve access to healthcare and education, and raise quality of life. But happiness also shapes financial behavior—happier people often make better money decisions, take smart risks, and tend to earn more over time.