Quick: Why do you want to make lots of money?

Your most-likely answer: to be happy, dammit!

But does more money really lead to more happiness?

"Standard of living has increased dramatically and happiness has increased not at all, and in some cases has diminished slightly," says Professor Daniel Kahneman of the University of Princeton.

Interestingly... Bhutan, a remote Himalayan kingdom, has consistently remained one of the happier places in our world – even though it is not close to being one of the richest.

Their secret?

Their government creates policies based on Gross National Happiness.

This includes:

1.Banning advertising – because the science of happiness shows advertising is a major cause of unhappiness – creating envy by making people feel “less well-off.”

2.Pushing for more exercise and healthier eating. In fact the Bhutan government actually discourages junk food – along with cigarettes and alcohol – recognizing the healthier the body, the happier the mind!

The idea that politics should be about creating "the greatest happiness of the greatest number" is actually not new. It goes back to Jeremy Bentham, an 18th century philosopher, who tried to get politicians to create policies which upped citizen’s general happiness levels.

Recently Bentham’s ideas have been dusted off and revisited in Britain, where the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit held a "Life Satisfaction" seminar and considered the following concepts:

1.creating a happiness index

2.teaching people about happiness

3.encouraging more support for volunteering

4.creating a "more leisured work-life balance"

5.creating higher taxes for the rich – so there’d be less of a division between the very rich and very poor -- and thereby less envy and its accompanying depression affects.

Britain’s Richard Layard, author of HAPPINESS: LESSONS FOR A NEW SCIENCE, is also actively pushing the government to immediately employ another 10,000 therapists – so as to increase the happiness of citizens!

With all this in mind, I want you to stop overly-focusing on how much money you’re making, and re-focus on how much happiness you’re making!

MY BETTER THAN CASH IN THE BANK LIST OF THINGS TO CASH IN ON:

1.Avoid poison envy. Consistently studies show comparison kills happiness. Consciously re-focus on what you have. Try to end your day with "A 3 Blessings List" - recognizing three things which went well - and why!

2.Spend loving time with friends and family – for both more happiness and more health! Get this: Studies show friendship wards off germs! Just as stress triggers ill health, the greater your friendships, the greater the protective effect against ill health!

3. Live a life with meaning and purpose. How? Appreciate how what you do in your job, and contribute to your friends, family and community -- all matters! Look for new ways to give back to the people around you. Altruism is actually an act of self-interest. Studies consistently show that people who are involved with volunteerism are a happier group.

4.Keep trying to use your “signature strength” in new ways. It will increase your self esteem – which increases happiness. Plus you’ll be tapping into 3 other big happiness boosters: newness, challenge, consistent growth!

THE INSIDE SCOOP ON TIKI BARBER'S FIRST TODAY SHOW SEGMENT!

Tiki Barber spent the afternoon in my apartment doing some heavy petting -- of my little dog, Maxine.

Yes, the man is not only an incredible athlete, brilliant math/physics major from his college days, fabulous dresser (down to his 400 thread count socks) he's a got a sweet side which is not to be denied. Tiki played very warmly with Maxine -- as we readied up to tape a segment for THE TODAY SHOW.

Which brings me to....

I am excited to announce that I am Tiki Barber's first interview -- along with Marcus Buckingham -- for a TODAY SHOW piece about Marcus' new book GO:PUT YOUR STREGNTHS TO WORK -- in which I spoke in a counter-talk to Marcus' book -- about the importance of also focusing on your weaknesses -- your core pain truth -- your "Kryptonite" -- if you want to rise up from your career plateau.

This Tiki Barber premiere TODAY SHOW segment will be airing some time in mid-April. I will update here on the exact day and time.

But let it be known...I was very impressed by Tiki Barber. When it comes to focusing on Tiki's big stregnths he has many to choose from. Besides his obvious athletic prowess, math skills and fashion sense, I discovered he's also a devoted husband and adoring father. He even writes kids' books.

In fact, actually, I didn't see any weaknesses/Kryptonite in Tiki Barber at all -- well, except perhaps for his weakness/Kryptonite factor for small dogs, like my little Maxine.

HAPPINESS TIPS -- plucked fresh from my BE HAPPY DAMMIT sirius radio show!

They say money can't buy happiness.

They is right -- but only half right.

You can maybe snag some happiness if you buy "experiences" rather than things.

It's like this...

German scholar Stefan Klein -- author of “The Science of Happiness” -- says his research shows...

“Things per se cannot bring you happiness at all. It is only the 'experience' of possessing something which can trigger the emotion of happiness."

Meaning?

When a new possession does trigger happiness, it is actually only triggering the "new experience" of having a new thing, like a new, bigger car, for example. It's the experiecing of the newness of the car you're feeling -- not the object itself. Once the new car is NOT new to you anymore, the experience of owning this object fades, and so too will your happiness.

The solution?

Invest more of your moola and time in experiences like vacations -- dinners with loved ones -- films - museum visits -- strolls along the beach -- sport activities -- any/all events and happenings which will bring you longterm happy memories!

Harvard University social psychologist Daniel Gilbert --NYTimes best selling author of “Stumbling on Happiness” -- agrees.

Gilbert pithily explains the happiness perks of happy experiences like this...

"Goods tarnish over time. Experiences, on the other hand, can get better as you remember them -- especially if you're one of the many people who tend to embellish when remembering your past -- which many people are!"

My guests who offered positive happy experiences:

Francine Segan, award winning cookbook author of many cookbooks including THE OPERA LOVER'S COOKBOOK -- and recent nominee for James Beard award

Ceslie Armstrong, founder of the fabulous entertaining and informative CESLIE TV

Adam Walden, President of GEN ART -- a terrific organization which brings you the hottest in fashion, film, art, photography -- you name it

Social Diva, an amazing social networking organization

Lisa Goldberg of Sapa,a sexy/sleek/indulgent restaurant --- with a conscience -- holding an upcoming celebrity-waitered fundrasier dinner for Lou Gehrig disease

Want more happiness tips -- told to you LIVE?

Listen to my free, free, free BE HAPPY DAMMIT radio sample podcasts, snipped fresh from the airwaves of my daily drivetime SIRIUS show, on Lime Channel 114 by clicking this linkerooni here!