By Austin Chukwudi
Can Money buy happiness? It’s a question that comes up in every economic downturn, every pay raise, every bill. The usual answer is no.
But actor Samuel L. Jackson, a prominent actor, offered a different version that has resurfaced recently online: “Anyone who tells you money can’t buy happiness never had any.”
The line is blunt. It is also gaining traction because it speaks to a reality many people live with in 2026: money may not create joy, but the lack of it creates problems that make joy hard to find.
Most psychologists agree happiness comes from purpose, relationships, health and gratitude, not from wealth alone.
But financial insecurity undermines all of those.
“Money can be used in paying for food, health care, education, shelter, and other essentials,” a recent lifestyle analysis noted. “It can save you from the stress of debts, unpaid bills or financial problems.”
Data backs that. The American Psychological Association’s ‘2025 Stress in America’ survey found 65% of U.S. adults cited money as their top source of stress. The World Health Organization has also linked financial strain to higher rates of anxiety and depression.
In that sense, Jackson’s quote adds realism to an idealistic phrase. Money cannot guarantee happiness. But it can remove many of the barriers between people and peace of mind.
The deeper point in the quote, analysts say, is about choice.
“Financial security gives you the freedom of making your choices according to your ambitions and desires,” the analysis said. That includes changing careers, starting a business, taking a holiday, or helping families during hard times.
The World Bank’s 2024 World Development Report found that households with even modest savings are far more likely to invest in education and entrepreneurship than those living paycheck to paycheck.
“Wealth is about opportunities,” the piece concluded. It cited examples from additional education and skills training to travel and giving children better schooling.
Research on spending also supports the idea. Studies by psychologists Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton show people report longer-lasting happiness when they spend on experiences, on others, and on self-improvement, rather than on luxury goods.
“Scientists have proven that people feel happier for a longer period when they spend money on experiences or relationships with other people, not on material items,” the analysis said.
The quote’s popularity comes at a time of pressure on household budgets. Inflation, housing costs, and wage stagnation have left many people feeling stuck. A 2025 LendingClub report found 56% of U.S. adults were living paycheck to paycheck.
That context makes the distinction matter.
“Happiness depends on having purpose, strong relationships, being grateful and enjoying good health, yet being financially secure allows doing it with much more ease,” the analysis said.
“The quotation by Samuel L. Jackson is relevant to modern times since it recognizes one of the crucial realities of life: money cannot ensure happiness, yet brings comfort, security and possibilities for an improvement in a person’s everyday life.”
Jackson’s line does not argue for chasing riches. It argues for using money as a tool.
“The true aim of people should be not in becoming rich but in using their financial opportunities in order to create life of happiness, peace and freedom.”
So, can money buy happiness?
No. But as Jackson’s quote suggests, it can buy the time, security and options that make it much easier to pursue.