But what truth is there in the saying?

但埋藏在這句格言背後的事實為何？

Is there a correlation between money and happiness?

金錢和幸福間有關連嗎？

And if so, how can we use it to our advantage?

如果有的話，我們該如何善加利用呢？

Humans are very sensitive to change.

人類對於改變是很敏銳的。

When we get a raise or commission, we really enjoy it.

當我們被加薪或收到佣金時，我們會樂在其中。

But we adapted at incredible speeds to our new wealth.

但我們會以驚人的速度適應新的財富。

Some studies have shown that in North America, additional income beyond seventy five thousand dollars a year ceases to impact day to day happiness.

某些研究顯示，在北美，一年超過七萬五千美元的額外收入不再能影響每天的幸福。

In fact, people who win the lottery often report becoming extremely unhappy.

事實上，中樂透的人往往會變得極不快樂。

They often end up spending all the money, going into debt, and experience ruined social relationships.

他們最後常會花光所有的錢，然後身揹債務，並且經歷到殘破不堪的社交關係。

So surely money can't really buy happiness.

所以無疑地，錢不能買到快樂。

Well, recent studies suggest that the problem may actually be in the way that we spend money.

但是，近期的研究認為，事實上，問題可能在於我們花錢的方式。

Instead of buying things for yourself, try giving some of it to other people and see how you feel.

與其買東西給你自己，不如試著把一些錢分給其他人，再看看你感覺如何。

Studies show that people who spend their money on others feel happier.

研究顯示把錢花在他人身上的人，會感覺更幸福。

And while people who spend it on themselves don't necessarily become less happy, their happiness is unchanged.

而儘管把錢花在他們自己身上的人，不一定會變得比較不幸福，但他們的幸福程度是不變的。

The same principle has been tested on teams and organizations as well.

同樣的原理也已在團隊跟公司組織中測試過。

One experiment showed that instead of an organization writing a large check to a charity, dividing the amount up amongst employees, allowing them to contribute to a charity of their choosing, increased their job satisfaction.

一項實驗顯示，公司與其寫張鉅額支票給慈善團體，不如將錢分給員工，讓他們捐給自己所選的慈善機構，以提升他們的工作滿意度。

Similarly, individuals that spend monetary incentives on each other, as opposed to themselves, increase not only job satisfaction, but improve team performance and sales.

同樣地，把獎金花在對方身上，而不是花在他們自己的人們，提升的不只是工作滿意度，也改善團隊績效表現跟銷售。

This has been seen in both sales and sports teams.

這已見證於銷售和運動團隊之中。

Almost everywhere we look in the world, we see that giving money or gifts to others is positively correlated with happiness.

在世界大部分的地方，我們發現給別人金錢或禮物和幸福是有正向關聯的。

Interestingly, the specific way the money is spent on others isn't important, from trivial guests to major charity efforts spending something on others is the important aspect of increasing your happiness.

有趣的是，錢以什麼特定方式花在別人身上不重要，從小顧客到龐大的慈善事業，花些錢在別人身上是提升你幸福感的重要層面。

The emotional rewards of pro-social spending are even detectable at the neural level.

對社會有益的花費所得到的情感報嘗，甚至可以從神經細胞層級中探測到。

If you are gonna spend the money on yourself, try to go after experiences as opposed to material things.

如果你要把錢花在自己身上，試著追求體驗而非物質上的東西。

Traveling or going to an event is more impactful for the vast majority of people in the long run.

長遠來說，旅行或是參與活動對大多數人是更具影響的。

And while you're saving up for these biggest experiences, don't forget about the daily joys in life.

而當你在為這些重大體驗存錢時，別忘記生活中的日常樂趣。

Many small, frequent pleasures help to get you through the days and encourage change, which stimulates the brain.

很多微小頻繁的快樂，將幫助你過日子，並鼓勵你改變，而這會刺激你的大腦功能。

Instead of buying a three thousand dollar rug that provides a one-time experience for the next ten years, a five dollar latte with friends will be different each time, offering unique access to happiness opportunities.

與其買一張三千美金的地毯、在接下來的十年提供一次性的體驗，不如選擇來一杯有朋友在身旁的五元拿鐵，而每次的會面都不一樣，這提供通往幸福的特殊途徑。

Though money is unlikely to be the main source of happiness in our lives, it certainly has the potential to make some things easier, and complicate others.

雖然錢不太可能是我們人生中幸福的主要根源，它確實有讓某些事更簡單，以及讓其他事情變得更複雜的潛力。

But at the end of the day, it can buy happiness, if spent in the right way.

但到頭來，如果正確地花費，是可以買到幸福的。

Got a burning question you want answer?

你有迫切想得到解答的問題嗎？

Ask it in the comments or on facebook and twitter, and subscribe for more weekly science videos.

在留言中或在臉書和推特上問吧！並且訂閱以獲得更多每週的科學影片。