What are the best ways you've seen for turning money into happiness?

The main thing money buys is peace of mind, which isn't happiness exactly but it's hard to be happy when you are stressed. This includes all the other things that can bring peace of mind like owning a home/land (less worried about rent increases or getting kicked out), having a full pantry (no worries about food scarcity), paying for further skills training (less worry about job security).

Could help with mental health too, hire a therapist(most of us could use it even just a little), get medicated if needed.

It can also help your social life which makes you happier, things like going out to eat with friends, going to concerts, going on dates, getting drinks with the guys, taking a vacation with a SO.

It can also help with health, hiring a nutritionist or trainer, hormone optimization, supplements, necissary surgeries or even cosmetic ones.

It can shape perception of those around you which can open up new opportunites, like dressing well in well tailored clothes or name brand stuff, having a nice car, seeing a hairstylist every other week, get your hands manicured, eyebrows trimmed, body hair removed.

It can make you feel like a good person and actually be true sometimes, like donating to people/orgs, investing in neighborhoods, helping supply a worthy cause (like donating to the EFF), investing in funds with a purpose (like making the world better), helping support the development of new technologies.

It can help you be more effective, hire a secretary or other teams of people that support you (it's why hollywood stars can look good when older, they have literal teams of people making them look good), you can buy that software/device that does that thing you need.

But if you need something to lift your mood immediately, go experience something which can be bought too. Go play around on a jetski, take a trip to Bali, hire an event planner to throw a party for you.

Buying time. Working less and throwing money at problems so you have more time for friends, family, and hobbies you love.

Becoming softer on yourself and start acting without thinking, knowing that you have a bag of money to fall on which can make whaterver problem you get into due to your newly acquired impulsivity simply go away.

Thinking is kinda painful, if you think about it. You think today in order not to think in the future.

Many people never get to see that future because they don't allow themselves to.

Hired a personal trainer for 3 months. Best part of my life. He was the best in the city, and he made me push my limits like anything. I achieved physical capabilities and mental toughness I never imagined I could. Gave me immense confidence in myself.

Planning to hire a seasoned developer to help me speed up learning C and C++ at an in depth level. Am a Linux admin, and don't find time to spend time on C/C++. So thinking of spending money on that too.

I bought a bike. Crazy one track/ADHD mind. Found something healthy that I could obsess over. Highly recommend.

Taking trips with my wife to do fun things and make memories has been fantastic as well.

Giving money to grandparents and watching them go on well deserved holidays is very gratifying experience.

Buying music (CD's, mp3 downloads, instruments, concert tickets, etc.)

Buying good food.

Buying good books (to read, not to collect, in my case. YMMV)

Donating money to good causes.

Buying bicycle parts.

Paying for surgery to repair injuries acquired through bicycle riding. Wait, we may be drifting away from the point here...

I know a guy who bought a $10K watch. Wearing the watch effortlessly demonstrated his wealth, which boosted his confidence when talking to girls. The 2nd order effects of the watch seemed to make him very happy.

Eat out. I'm not sure where I read it but I recall reading that not preparing your own meals improves ones happiness in the general case.

Spending petrol (or battery power) to put your foot down on a long, straight and clear road is the most freeing experience you can have. Cars usually not cheap, but honestly you get so little for ones that cost more than $100k that I'd put the price cap of a non-silly car around there.

Not many comments about giving here bar a nice one about someone giving their grandparents a holiday. Some highlights for me were buying a football kit for a kids soccer team in Cambodia and supporting some water well digging projects in Africa.

A jet ski. Well, a pair of jet skis. Jet skiing on Lake Powell is one of my favorite experiences.

Save up money religiously for over a decade and retire early.

buying booze

Exchanging money for food, shelter, and running water.

Fireworks, and michelin-star meals.

Massages, spa, food, vacations

Flying a plane.