Consumers happy despite financial situation

05.23.09
By Nicholas Storie

Recent news headlines are littered with foreclosure updates, reports on levels of credit card debt and growing unemployment statistics. As many consumers face tough economic times, it's hard to imagine that people are feeling good.

But the Harris Poll Happiness Index reveals that 35 percent of Americans are "very happy," which might suggest that money is really not the key to happiness.

The study instead points to positive relationships with family and a close network of friends as key drivers of contentment.

Results of the survey of over 2,400 adults during April remain largely unchanged from figures reported last year. While two-thirds of Americans still worry about their finances - same as in 2008 - just over 80 percent say they are "generally happy with their lives."

Survey results do not show that men and women are not worrying about their retirement accounts, their jobs or their children's education, but it does reveal that people are finding comfort in other aspects of their lives.

Education seems to be another driver of happiness. Harris Interactive's findings show that respondents with higher degrees reported being happier.

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Financial worries may have people frustruated, but not completely down