Woe is money

They say money can't buy love or happiness or health or success. And the rest of of roll our eyes. But given that this lament has been voiced for a century, perhaps there is something to it.

First, from today's Times:

Instant Fortunes, and Sudden Headaches

By CAITLIN KELLY

So what would you do if you got your wish and suddenly came into a lot of money — by winning the lottery, perhaps, or getting a six-figure insurance settlement or a long-awaited inheritance? Financial freedom, right?

Ken Jennings, a 33-year-old former software engineer who earned more than $2.5 million by winning 74 consecutive games on “Jeopardy” in 2004, says it is not that simple.

But coming into a lot of money has always brought its share of headaches:

July 16, 1877
THE ANNOYANCES OF WEALTH
TROUBLES OF JOHN H. LICK AFTER INHERITING A PORTION OF HIS FATHER'S FORTUNE

The San Francisco Call, having learned that a new suit has been instituted against the estate of John H. Lick for information.. The account proceeds: "Mr. Lick passed into an inner room and returned shortly with a formidable bundle of letters. They were divided into two packages. Handling the smaller parcel to the reporter, he said: 'Two years ago I thought I knew all of my father's relatives by name at least, but here is a batch of 30 or so who have suddenly discovered that they are his next of kin..."

Even the wealthiest men and women alive seem to be miserable:

July 31, 1911
RICHES IRK ROCKEFELLER
HE TELLS PREACHER WHO TALKS OF WEALTH'S BURDENS HE'S RIGHT

CLEVELAND, Ohio, July 30.--His great wealth was often a burden that drove peace from his heart, John D. Rockefeller admitted to-day after listening to a sermon by a visiting preacher at his favorite church, the Euclid Avenue Baptist. The Rev. Carter Helm Jones of Oklahoma was acting for the pastor, who is on his vacation, and he referred to the "crown of wealth and its incident anxieties and tortures which banish peace from the heart."

Comments

[office 2010]

good thank like your "explosive" analogy, I use it in my business as well. Thanks for the great content.

[angry birds rio walkthrough]

This is my first visit in your website i am impressed of your topic very nice. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday.

[kettleworx]

Really great post, Thank you for sharing This knowledge. Excellently written article.Please keep it up!