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Are New Graduates Happier Making More Money or Having More Time?

By: A.V. Whillans
  • Format:Electronic
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Abstract

Each year across North America, millions of graduates have to make tradeoffs between time and money as they plan their next steps. Despite the importance of these choices, we know surprisingly little about how people navigate major life decisions that involve making more money at the expense of having less time, and vice versa. Researchers asked more than 1,000 graduating college students in Canada whether they generally prioritized time or money. They found that students who prioritized time at graduation were happier and more satisfied with their careers 1 to 2 years later than those who prioritized money. They explored why that might be and how factors like financial security and student debt play a role in people’s decision-making and happiness.

Keywords

Time; Tradeoffs; Money; Decision Making; Personal Development and Career; Satisfaction

Citation

Whillans, A.V. "Are New Graduates Happier Making More Money or Having More Time?" Harvard Business Review (website) (July 25, 2019).
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About The Author

Ashley V. Whillans

Negotiation, Organizations & Markets
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More from the Author
  • The Secret Tax on Women’s Time By: Lauren C. Howe, Lindsay B. Howe and Ashley V. Whillans
  • The Emotional Rewards of Prosocial Spending Are Robust and Replicable in Large Samples By: Lara B. Aknin, Elizabeth W. Dunn and Ashley V. Whillans
  • Perceived Job Difficulty Influences Unionization Support for Workers in Low-Wage Jobs By: Elizabeth R. Johnson and Ashley V. Whillans
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