Survey Reveals Shocking Insight into America's Obsession with Money

Translation of the original article in Finnish: Tutkimus amerikkalaisten rahakäyttäytymisestä

Our survey of 5,000 Americans revealed shocking findings about how the nation views money, honesty, and financial success. The results reveal that many Americans are willing to cheat to get ahead, aren’t always honest with their loved ones about their winnings, and overwhelmingly prefer quick financial gains over long-term career-driven wealth accumulation.

These insights highlight how deeply ingrained the desire for wealth is in American society, raising questions about the cost of this obsession and its impact on happiness.

In this article:

The Willingness to Cheat for Financial Gain
Gambling vs. Hard Work: Americans Want Quick Wins
Does Money Make You Happy?

The Willingness to Cheat for Financial Gain

One of the most striking revelations from the survey is the sheer number of Americans who admitted they would cheat to obtain money. In California, an astounding 72% of respondents confessed they would bend the rules for financial gain, and 79% of people in Connecticut shared the same sentiment. Even in states like Alabama (58%) and Alaska (53%), nearly half of the population admitted to being willing to compromise their ethical boundaries for the sake of financial success.

These findings suggest that for many, the pressure to achieve financial security is immense, and the desire to get ahead can sometimes overshadow moral values. It’s a startling reflection of how far people are willing to go to secure financial stability, especially in an economy where income inequality continues to grow.

Keeping Winnings a Secret

When it comes to money, honesty doesn’t always seem to be the best policy for many Americans. The survey found that a significant number of respondents admitted to hiding their financial successes from their loved ones. 86% of respondents in California confessed to lying about their winnings, and 79% in Connecticut said they had done the same. Even in states with lower figures, like Alaska (43%), the trend of keeping financial success secret is still prevalent.

This behavior might stem from societal pressure and the fear of judgment, envy, or exploitation. Americans seem to feel that discussing money openly could cause tension in relationships, which leads them to hide the truth from those closest to them. This reluctance to be open about wealth underscores how money remains a sensitive—and often uncomfortable—topic for many.

Gambling vs. Hard Work: Americans Want Quick Wins

Perhaps the most eye-opening finding is the widespread preference for quick financial success over traditional career-driven earnings. Across the country, a large majority of respondents indicated they would rather win a large sum of money than earn it over time through hard work. In Alabama, 73% of people said they would prefer to win money through gambling or the lottery, and 74% in Arkansas shared that sentiment.

This preference for quick wins over long-term financial growth may reflect broader societal dissatisfaction with the slow, often frustrating process of building wealth through a career. In a world where instant gratification is often celebrated, Americans appear more inclined to take high-risk approaches to achieve financial freedom.

Defining a Life-Changing Amount of Money

The question of what constitutes a life-changing amount of money produced varied responses. In Arkansas, 78% of respondents felt that $1,000,000 would be enough to drastically change their lives, while 26% of respondents in Arizona believed that even $100,000 would be sufficient to make a significant impact.

These differences in perception may stem from regional disparities in cost of living, but they also point to how different groups of people view wealth and financial security. For some, a moderate sum is seen as enough to transform their circumstances, while others require a much larger amount to feel truly secure.

Does Money Make You Happy?

While the survey paints a vivid picture of America’s obsession with money, it also raises the question: Does more money lead to greater happiness?

This question has been explored for decades, and one of the most significant findings in this area comes from the Easterlin Paradox. Named after economist Richard Easterlin, the paradox suggests that while happiness and income are correlated in the short term, long-term increases in income do not necessarily lead to lasting happiness.

Studies have shown that while having enough money to meet basic needs does contribute to happiness, once a person reaches a certain level of financial comfort, additional wealth has diminishing returns. In other words, more money doesn’t always mean more happiness.

For example, a study published in the Forman Journal of Economic Studies explored the relationship between income inequality and happiness in developed countries. It found that income inequality undermines happiness, even in wealthier nations. The more unequal a society, the less happy its citizens tend to be, regardless of overall wealth. Similarly, research from the Chinese Academy of Sciences showed that while GDP growth can improve subjective well-being, this effect plateaus in countries with high income inequality.

These findings reinforce the idea that while money can buy comfort, it doesn’t guarantee long-term satisfaction. Social and psychological factors become more important once basic financial needs are met, and the relentless pursuit of wealth can often lead to dissatisfaction rather than happiness.

The Social Impact of Money

The survey also highlights the social implications of America’s money-driven mindset. The fact that so many respondents admitted to hiding their financial successes from loved ones suggests that money continues to be a divisive topic. It can create tension in relationships, foster jealousy, and even cause people to feel isolated from their families and friends.

This secrecy around money is particularly troubling because research has shown that social relationships are a far stronger predictor of happiness than wealth. People who feel disconnected from their loved ones—even those with significant financial success—often report lower levels of well-being than those who maintain strong personal connections.

While wealth can provide comfort and financial security, it’s ultimately the quality of our relationships that determines our happiness in the long run. As the Easterlin Paradox and related studies show, once our basic financial needs are met, psychological and social factors play a much larger role in sustaining long-term happiness.

The Allure of Instant Gratification

One of the clearest themes emerging from the survey is America’s fascination with instant gratification, particularly when it comes to wealth. The fact that so many respondents preferred to win their fortune rather than earn it suggests a broader cultural shift toward seeking quick fixes rather than long-term solutions. In an age where social media, television, and advertising often glorify wealth and instant success, it’s not surprising that this appears to be a preferred route to financial freedom.

Concluding thoughts:

“The findings from this survey are both surprising and concerning. It’s clear that many Americans have a deep-rooted obsession with wealth and financial success, often to the point where they are willing to compromise their ethics or even risk relationships to get ahead. The willingness to cheat for money, and the fact that so many would rather win a fortune through gambling or a lottery than earn it through years of hard work, reveals a cultural shift that places enormous value on wealth. It’s easy to see how this creates pressure to take shortcuts or engage in risky behaviors in the hope of a big financial payoff.

“Coming from Finland, where we have a more balanced approach to money, I find this particularly striking. In Finland, people certainly value financial security, but we don’t see the same kind of obsession with instant wealth or the desire to take shortcuts. There is more of a cultural emphasis on fairness, ethical behavior, and building wealth over time through hard work and careful planning. Money is important, of course, but it’s not the ultimate measure of success or happiness. We recognize that a good life involves more than just financial wealth—it includes meaningful relationships, community, and work-life balance.

“The fact that so many Americans are willing to lie to their loved ones about their financial success is also telling. It points to a deeper issue of how money is viewed in American society—almost as if it’s a taboo subject that needs to be kept secret. That secrecy is often rooted in fear of judgment, envy, or even exploitation, which can erode trust in personal relationships. In Finland, open discussions about financial matters are more common, and there is less emphasis on wealth as a status symbol. This creates a healthier environment where people feel less pressured to achieve or display financial success at all costs.

“One of the most interesting aspects of the survey is the overwhelming preference for winning money rather than earning it. In my experience, this speaks to a larger cultural phenomenon where there is a growing impatience with the slow, steady path to wealth. People are looking for faster, easier ways to achieve financial freedom, and gambling offers that allure of an immediate, life-changing win. But as the research shows, these quick fixes rarely lead to lasting happiness. In fact, the thrill of winning is often fleeting, and it doesn’t address the deeper needs that contribute to long-term satisfaction—such as emotional well-being, strong relationships, and a sense of purpose.

Survey Reveals Shocking Insight into America's Obsession with Money

The Willingness to Cheat for Financial Gain

Keeping Winnings a Secret

Gambling vs. Hard Work: Americans Want Quick Wins

Defining a Life-Changing Amount of Money

Does Money Make You Happy?

The Social Impact of Money

The Allure of Instant Gratification

Concluding thoughts:

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