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Jan 1, 2009 
May need a little help on this as I couldn’t find the article. I read about an experiment where happiness is evaluated. Somehow before the actual survey was taken, a participant checked a payphone (or something) and either found a quarter or not. The survey on happiness was taken and the based on whether the person found some change, there was a statistically significant difference on their level of happiness. Bottom-line: Despite all of the other stuff going on in your life, finding a quarter in a payphone makes you happier…at least for a short period of time. If anyone can direct me back to which book I read this in or the actual article, it would be greatly appreciated.
I actually think this is verified daily with gas prices. After this past summer when gas prices spiked at over $4.00 per gallon, they have dropped swiftly and I have paid as low as $1.49 per gallon. How does this relate to happiness? When gas was over $4.00, I waited to fill my tank until the “Low Fuel” light came on. Of course, I experienced some unhappiness when I saw the bill (over $60 and I drive a basic car). My moments of unhappiness were delayed as long as I possibly could….until the tank was empty. When gas dropped in price (as low as $1.49 and currently $1.69 across the road), I fill my tank every time it drops below ¾ of a tank. At $1.49, I volunteered to run my wife’s van down to the station and fill it up for her. I fill the tank much more frequently for two reasons: it feels good to pay so little (in comparison) and fear that $4.00 gas could be back just as quickly as it left. The happiness feeling is certainly temporary with the economy slumping…..I certainly wouldn’t want to visit my 401k balance daily.
Anyone else experiencing this same phenomenon?
