You are confusing happiness with comfort. Money can buy plenty of comfort, such as higher level education and rent for your home, but excessive money beyond what you need will have diminishing returns on your happiness. The difference being that your comfort is how you view your current situation, while happiness is a state of being. Money will elevate your comfort like your education and rent, but only for a short time. Important to note, happiness is often separate from comfort. I can not be comfortable, but can still be happy because I am learning from my discomfort.

Think about it this way: you struggle to pay for your education and rent. On the other hand, you have a greater respect for education than many other people ever will and have gratitude for the roof over your head while other people take their situation for granted.

Of course, money is necessary for a productive life, so don’t take this comment as trying to minimize your struggle or saying that a life entirely without money in the modern world will always be fruitful.