According to economist Andrew Oswald of the University of Warwick in England, there is overwhelming evidence that money buys happiness.

Oswald reported a study of Britons who won between $2,000 and $250,000 in a lottery. The group was surveyed before and two years later, after their win, and as a group, they showed a boost in happiness averaging a little more than one point on a 36 point scale.

But researchers still question money’s connection to happiness. Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel-Prize winner and Princeton economist, said the notion that making a lot of money will bring people happiness is illusory.

In one study, people with household incomes of $90,000 or more were only slightly more likely to call themselves “very happy” compared to people making $50,000 to $89,999.

However, when compared to people from households with incomes below $20,000, members of the high-income group were almost twice as likely to call themselves “very happy.”

Nicole Damon, 23, senior anthropology major said, “I am not necessarily happier when I have more money, because it comes at a cost, but I like to feel more comfortable.”

Not only do researchers question money’s relation to happiness, but also a study published last month in the Journal Science showed that the impulse to share does not come naturally to anyone thinking about money.

In a series of experiments, psychologists found that subconscious reminders of money prompted people to become more independent in their work, less likely to help or seek help from others, and reluctant to volunteer time and money.

But Damon questioned the results of the study.

“Could it be that maybe the people who thought about money did so because they were in need of it, and that’s why they were less likely to give to charity or have spare time?” Damon asked.

Britney Klippness, 23, senior liberal studies major, said she thinks about money all the time.

“I don’t have any,” Klippness said. “And I’m wondering how I’m going to pay rent in six days.”

Although Klippness said she doesn't think she was any happier when she had more money, she was less stressed out.

Contrary to the studies reported by Oswald, instead of asking people for a summary estimate of happiness, the studies that followed people through their day and repeatedly asked them to record their feelings showed that income had less of an effect on happiness.

“I was less stressed out when I had more money,” Klippness said. “I don’t think I was happier.”

Peter Zerzan, 21, senior political major said people put too much emphasis on money and that it is simply a means of exchange.

“We have people who work 60 hours a week to get a nice house, fancy cars and big televisions, however they never use any of these items because they are too busy working to maintain them,” Zerzan said. “I know people who have plenty of money but have just as many personal problems, while I know people who are struggling to get by but are generous and happy.”